Are You Down With Doppler?

Written by: Scott Hetsko

The most effective tool to detect precipitation is radar. Radar used by the National Weather Service is called the WSR-88D, which stands for Weather Surveillance Radar - 1988 Doppler (the prototype radar was built in 1988). As its name suggests, the WSR-88D is a Doppler radar, meaning it can detect motions toward or away from the radar as well as the location of precipitation areas.

This ability to detect motion has greatly improved the meteorologists ability to peer inside thunderstorms and determine if there is rotation in the cloud, often a precursor to the development of tornadoes. There are 115 such radar's positioned across the United States.

In the 1950's, tornadoes killed over 1400 people in the U.S. From 1980-89, that number was just over 500! Although the population has risen sharply since the 1950's, tornado fatalities have dropped by over 60%! The ability for Doppler radar to "see" inside rotating storms deserves all the credit!