Live US Doppler Weather Radar
High-resolution real-time Doppler radar and storm tracking across the United States. Track active precipitation fronts, convective storm cells, hail cores, and wind particle streamlines.
National Doppler Weather Radar
LIVE NOAA FEEDNOAA National Weather Service Dual-Polarization Composite
Doppler Reflectivity Scale & Echo Interpretation
Decibels of Z (dBZ) reflectivity gradient indicating precipitation intensity and droplet volume
Light to Moderate Rain
15 - 35 dBZ. General stratiform rain, drizzle, and scattered showers with minimal lightning risk.
Heavy Thunderstorms
40 - 50 dBZ. Convective storm cells with intense downpours, frequent lightning, and gusty winds.
Severe Storms & Hail
50 - 65+ dBZ. Potential supercells, microbursts, damaging winds, and golf-ball or larger hail cores.
Winter Snow & Ice
5 - 25 dBZ. Snowflakes reflect less electromagnetic energy than water droplets, producing softer returns.
How NEXRAD Dual-Polarization Identifies Precipitation Type
Dual-Pol transmits horizontal and vertical microwave pulses simultaneously. By comparing the aspect ratio of returned echoes (Correlation Coefficient CC and Differential Reflectivity ZDR), meteorologists can instantly distinguish rain from giant hail, sleet, snow, and airborne tornado debris signatures (TDS).
State & Territorial Doppler Radar Directories
Select your state for localized municipal NEXRAD radars, county storm sweeps, and National Weather Service warning polygons
Northeast (11)
Midwest (12)
South (15)
West (13)
Territories (1)
Frequently Asked Questions About Doppler Weather Radar
Understanding NEXRAD radar sweeps, volume coverage patterns, and data latency
How often does the live Doppler weather radar update?
NEXRAD WSR-88D Doppler radar stations operate in automated volumetric scan modes. In clear air mode, sweeps update every 10 minutes. During active precipitation and severe convective storms, Volume Coverage Patterns (VCP) complete a full 360-degree multi-tilt volumetric sweep every 4.5 to 6 minutes.
What is Dual-Polarization radar and why does it matter?
Dual-Polarization sends and receives both horizontally and vertically polarized radio pulses. This enables meteorologists to measure the two-dimensional shape and physical state of airborne targets, accurately differentiating rain from hail, snow, freezing rain, and non-weather debris like tornado debris clouds (TDS).
What do the dBZ reflectivity colors mean on Doppler radar?
Reflectivity is measured in decibels of Z (dBZ). Green shades (15-30 dBZ) signify light to moderate rain showers. Yellow and orange shades (35-45 dBZ) indicate heavy rain. Red shades (50-60 dBZ) indicate intense thunderstorm cores. Magenta and purple shades (65+ dBZ) typically indicate giant hail cores and severe downdrafts.
How does Doppler radar detect tornadoes and rotation?
Doppler radar measures the phase shift of returned radio signals to calculate radial velocity (speed toward or away from the antenna). When inbound and outbound velocity vectors are situated tightly together (velocity couplet), it indicates a rotating mesocyclone, signaling an imminent or active tornado.
Understand National Weather Service Storm Warnings
Learn the critical differences between Severe Thunderstorm Watches, Tornado Warnings, and Flash Flood Advisories with our expert meteorology guides.