[W8MWA] How RADAR Sees West Virginia

[Jeffrey Fritz]

During his presentation last October, Fred McMullen of the NWS Pittsburgh
shared that our Skywarn reports are especially appreciated by the National
Weather Service in Pittsburgh. That is because NWS Pittsburgh RADAR can not
"see" Morgantown and most of North Central West Virginia.

Due to the curvature of the earth, by the time that the Moon Township, PA
RADAR beam reaches North Central West Virginia it is at the 5,000 foot
level. Weather that develops underneath that altitude does not appear on
RADAR and is unknown to the NWS unless we report it.

We have a perfect example of exactly that this morning. At 08:00 this
morning both Tom, W8ZHN, and Mike, KF8AQR, reported moderate snowfall
occurring in Cheat Lake and Westover this morning. However, RADAR shows
nothing in terms of snowfall in our area. In fact, except for a snow storm
occurring north and east of Uniontown the RADAR is completely clear.

According to Jazon Frazier of the NWS Pittsburgh they had no idea that
snowfall was occurring here until we reported it. In fact, the NWS was
preparing to cancel the Winter Weather Advisory. Our reports caused them to
hold on the cancellation.

Jeff, WB1AAL
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