Reflectivity - Garmin GTN 750 Pilot's Manual

Foreword
Getting
Started
Audio &
Xpdr Ctrl
Com/Nav
FPL
Direct-To
Proc
Charts
Wpt Info
12.1.5.1
Reflectivity is the amount of transmitted power returned to the radar receiver.
Map
Colors on the NEXRAD display directly correlate to the level of detected
reflectivity. Reflectivity as it relates to hazardous weather can be very complex.
Traffic
The role of radar is essentially to detect moisture in the atmosphere. Simply
Terrain
put, certain types of weather reflect radar better than others. The intensity of a
radar reflection is not necessarily an indication of the weather hazard level. For
Weather
instance, wet hail returns a strong radar reflection, while dry hail does not. Both
wet and dry hail can be extremely hazardous.
Nearest
The different NEXRAD echo intensities are measured in decibels (dB) relative
Music
to reflectivity (Z). NEXRAD measures the radar reflectivity ratio, or the energy
reflected back to the radar receiver (designated by the letter Z). The value of Z
Utilities
increases as the returned signal strength increases.
System
Messages
Symbols
Appendix
12-10
Index
2. Repeated touches to the NEXRAD key will toggle between
the Off, US, and Canada selections.
Figure 12-8 NEXRAD Weather Legend

Reflectivity

Garmin GTN 725/750 Pilot's Guide 190-01007-03 Rev. B