What do the colors on weather radar mean?

Colors indicate precipitation intensity: green is light rain, yellow and orange are moderate to heavy, and red is intense. Other colors may show snow, hail, or mixed precipitation depending on the map.

How is Doppler radar different from regular radar?

Doppler radar detects motion within storms, helping meteorologists identify rotation and issue severe weather warnings, in addition to showing where precipitation is falling.

Can I rely on weather radar alone for planning?

Radar shows current precipitation, not a full forecast, and has coverage limits. It is best used alongside the official forecast, especially in mountainous or remote areas.

Weather Radar: How to Read It and Use It Wisely

Weather Radar: What You're Actually Seeing

Weather radar is one of the most useful tools for short-term planning, yet many people only glance at the colors without knowing what they mean. Radar works by sending out pulses of energy that bounce off precipitation and return to the sensor, showing where rain, snow, or hail is falling and how intense it is. In the United States, the NWS operates a network of Doppler radars whose data feeds most public radar maps and apps.

What the colors mean

Green: Light precipitation, usually drizzle or light rain.
Yellow to orange: Moderate to heavier rain.
Red: Intense rainfall, often associated with strong storms.
Pink, blue or purple: Depending on the map, may indicate mixed precipitation, snow, or hail.

How to Read Weather Radar Step by Step

Find your location on the map and note nearby precipitation.
Use the loop or animation to see which direction storms are moving and how fast.
Estimate arrival time by watching how the cells advance toward you.
Check intensity by color to judge whether it is a passing shower or a serious storm.

Doppler and beyond

Doppler radar adds the ability to detect motion within a storm, which helps meteorologists spot rotation and issue warnings for severe weather. Some radar products also show velocity and dual-polarization data that distinguish rain from hail or debris. For everyday use, the animated reflectivity view is usually all you need.

Radar limits to keep in mind

Radar shows where precipitation is now, not a guaranteed forecast. Beams can overshoot low clouds far from the radar site, and terrain can block coverage. Pair radar with the official forecast for the fullest picture, especially in mountainous areas.

Bottom Line

Weather radar turns raw atmospheric data into a live picture of rain and storms. Learn the color scale, use the animation to judge movement, and combine it with the official forecast to plan your day and stay ahead of severe weather.