

The different colours indicate the intensity of rainfall or snowfall. The radar map is updated every 5 minutes with a new radar observation. If the radar animation of the last hours shows local thunderstorms or precipitation cells forming and disappearing in an irregular manner, then the forecast is not vey accurate. The weather radar ( Alberta) shows where it is currently raining or snowing. The forecast works very well when weather fronts or large organized precipitation structures are moving regularly, without disappearing or being created. Weather Forecast Centre in Ottawa, operated by Natural Resources Canada. Real weather is more complex than just the displacement of existing precipitation cells. Canadian SuperDARN (dark grey) radar fields of view.

Longer forecasts are not possible, as new precipitation cells are developing or existing ones are disappearing within a short time. This so called precipitation nowcast is the most accurate precipitation forecast possible but the forecast horizon is limited to about an hour. The rain/snow forecast is computed by estimating the movement of precipitation cells observed by radar and extrapolating this movement into the future. Moreover, some countries do not operate a weather radar network, and in those countries satellite data is used to estimate rainfall, which is less accurate than a realtime weather radar.Īlberta: How accurate is the radar based forecast? Note that lightning is not shown on the forecast, as it cannot be predicted. Light blue indicates drizzle, blue a medium intensity, and red and yellow indicate very strong precipitation, usually associated with thunderstorms.Ĭurrent lightning strikes are marked with small orange dots on the map (Europe only). The weather radar ( Alberta) shows where it is currently raining or snowing.
