Since hail can cause the rainfall estimates to be higher than what is actually occurring, steps are taken to prevent these high dBZ values from being converted to rainfall. Hail is a good reflector of energy and will return very high dBZ values. These values are estimates of the rainfall per hour, updated each volume scan, with rainfall accumulated over time. Modern weather radars are mostly doppler radars, capable of detecting the motion of rain. Depending on the type of weather occurring and the area of the U.S., forecasters use a set of rainrates which are associated to the dBZ values. See a real view of Earth from space, providing a detailed view of clouds, weather systems, smoke, dust, and fog. The Current Radar map shows areas of current precipitation. The higher the dBZ, the stronger the rainrate. Typically, light rain is occurring when the dBZ value reaches 20. 9 hours ago 3:24 Shark circles beachgoers at Alabama beach 5 hours ago 0:59 How one New Jersey community helps save turtles 9 hours ago 2:50 Sea lion returned to the sea 14 hours ago 0:29 Quiet. The scale of dBZ values is also related to the intensity of rainfall. Our interactive map allows you to see the local & national weather. ABC 33/40 in Birmingham, Alabama offers news, sports, and weather reporting for the surrounding communities including Tuscaloosa, Anniston, Cullman. The value of the dBZ depends upon the mode the radar is in at the time the image was created. See the latest Alabama Doppler radar weather map including areas of rain, snow and ice. Notice the color on each scale remains the same in both operational modes, only the values change. US-Radar HD 'Base velocity' from, 01:59pm - Alabama IMPORTANT NOTICE: Weather API launched From now on you can access our observation data, analyses and forecasts automatically via our new weather API and use them for home automation, for example.

The other scale (near left) represents dBZ values when the radar is in precipitation mode (dBZ values from 5 to 75). One scale (far left) represents dBZ values when the radar is in clear air mode (dBZ values from -28 to +28). See the latest Alabama Doppler radar weather map including areas of rain, snow and ice.

Each reflectivity image you see includes one of two color scales. message about ' hazardous weather ' in northwest Alabama from the Memphis. The dBZ values increase as the strength of the signal returned to the radar increases. However, most in the audience had already heard the tapes played ' live.

So, a more convenient number for calculations and comparison, a decibel (or logarithmic) scale (dBZ), is used. Reflectivity (designated by the letter Z) covers a wide range of signals (from very weak to very strong). 'Reflectivity' is the amount of transmitted power returned to the radar receiver. The best way to keep up with the hit-or-miss thunderstorm action this time of year is with the WVTM 13 app: see our live radar and get updates when rain and storms are getting close to your location. The colors are the different echo intensities (reflectivity) measured in dBZ (decibels of Z) during each elevation scan.

Live alabama weather radar