"Jay Beckman" wrote in message
news:kowie.10549$Fv.335@lakeread01...
In light of the fact that summer thunderstorm activity is coming quickly
(and our traditional "monsoon" season) here in the desert, this subject is
very interesting.

In reading the descriptions of "Base" vs "Composite" at the NWS website,
am I taking away the right idea:

Base: Image derived from a single radar azimuth
Composite: Image derived from multiple radar azimuths then, well,
composited into one 2D top-down view?

Jay Beckman
PP-ASEL
Chandler, AZ


No, like Iceman says, the composite shows the most intense echo over a range
of antenna tilts (elevations). The base image shows one elevation. Both
composite and base images show all azimuths. The antenna on a NEXRAD site
is so large (resulting in a very narrow beam) that it can easily scan above
or below the area of the storm holding the water. You could have a massive
supercell and the beam might pass right under the storm at low tilt angles
(elevation). The composite would show the storm unless it is directly over
the antenna.

Mike
MU-2