What Is Reflectivity?
How strongly precipitation bounces the radar signal back. Brighter colors mean heavier rain or hail. In technical terms: The radar reflectivity factor Z, proportional to the sum of the sixth powers of hydrometeor diameters per unit volume (mm^6/m^3), usually expressed logarithmically in dBZ; about 20 dBZ is light rain, 50 dBZ heavy rain, and above 60 dBZ often hail.
Also called: Base Reflectivity, Z
Reflectivity In Plain English
How strongly precipitation bounces the radar signal back. Brighter colors mean heavier rain or hail.
The Technical Definition
The radar reflectivity factor Z, proportional to the sum of the sixth powers of hydrometeor diameters per unit volume (mm^6/m^3), usually expressed logarithmically in dBZ; about 20 dBZ is light rain, 50 dBZ heavy rain, and above 60 dBZ often hail.
Lessons That Use Reflectivity
- Reading Reflectivity (dBZ) Unit 12: Radar Science
