Garmin G1000:Beechcraft Baron 58/G58 User Manual page 324

HAZARD AVOIDANCE
RADAR SIGNAL REFLECTIVITY
P
RECIPITATION
Precipitation or objects more dense than water, such as the surface of the earth or solid structures, are
detected by the weather radar. The weather radar does not detect clouds, thunderstorms, or turbulence
directly. It detects precipitation associated with clouds, thunderstorms, and turbulence. The best radar
signal reflectors are raindrops, wet snow, or wet hail. The larger the raindrop, the better the reflectivity. The
size of the precipitation droplet is the most important factor in radar reflectivity. Because large drops in a
small concentrated area are characteristic of a severe thunderstorm, the radar displays the storm as a strong
return. Ice crystals, dry snow, and dry hail have low levels of reflectivity as shown in the illustration, and
often not displayed by the radar. Additionally, a cloud that contains only small raindrops, such as fog or
drizzle, does not reflect enough radar energy to produce a measurable target return.
6-32
Figure 6-38 Precipitation Type and Reflectivity
Garmin G1000 Pilot's Guide for the Hawker Beechcraft C90A/GT 190-00663-00 Rev. A