GDL-49 and Levels of Radar Returns

Surprisingly, the most I experienced was light turbulence. The landing
was uneventful. At the same time, I expect I was pretty lucky and
probably will actively avoid landing in these sorts of conditions in the
future.

My NEXTRAD showed "green" so I was unconcerned going in. It was only
from approach that I started hearing about level 4 and leve 5 stuff
around the airport. Had I known, I would have diverted north.

-Sami
N2057M, Piper Turbo Arrow III


John Clonts wrote:
"O. Sami Saydjari" wrote in message ...

As I was coming into Grand Rapids (KGRR) yesterday, the controller announced that there was a "level 5"
return (or perhaps she said "cell") on final to runway 8, so I was vectored to 35 where there were mostly
"just level 4" stuff. So, forgive my ignorance, but where are these levels defined? I assume they have to
do with what sort of radar return they get off a cloud and therefore has to do with rain intensity. Does a
level 5 return imply that a thunderstorm is likely to be generating it?



By the way, when you flew through the "just level 4 stuff", how did you find the ride?