Reflectivity - Garmin GTN 625 Pilot's Manual

Foreword
Getting
Started
Xpdr Ctrl
Com/Nav
FPL
Direct-To
Proc
11.1.5.1
Wpt Info
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
put, certain types of weather reflect radar better than others. The intensity of a
Terrain
radar reflection is not necessarily an indication of the weather hazard level. For
instance, wet hail returns a strong radar reflection, while dry hail does not. Both
Weather
wet and dry hail can be extremely hazardous.
Nearest
The different NEXRAD echo intensities are measured in decibels (dB) relative
to reflectivity (Z). NEXRAD measures the radar reflectivity ratio, or the energy
Services/
Music
reflected back to the radar receiver (designated by the letter Z). The value of Z
increases as the returned signal strength increases.
Utilities
System
Messages
Symbols
Appendix
Index
11-10
Figure 11-9 NEXRAD Weather Legend

Reflectivity

Garmin GTN 625/635/650 Pilot's Guide 190-01004-03 Rev. F