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Revision 2 Nov/2002
KMD 550/850 FIS Addendum
Moving the joystick and
pressing the MORE INFO
softkey will display the
NEXRAD legend as shown
in Figure 3.
The column labeled dBz is a
measure of the radar echo
intensity.
The strength of a radar
return signal typically varies
as a function of distance
(i.e., weaker from distant tar-
gets, stronger from those
nearby) and the object size.
Many weather sources available on the internet use color coding that is
different than the KMD 550/850 color coding. The dBz and intensity
level can be used to compare intensity levels between different
sources of NEXRAD information since many internet weather providers
will include a legend with dBz values indicated.
No Data, as shown in the legend, indicates the lack of coverage for
reasons discussed previously
GRAPHICAL METAR
The graphical METAR is
derived from the most cur-
rently received textual
METAR or SPECI data from
reporting sites. This is dis-
played on a map back-
ground to enhance situa-
tional awareness as shown
on Figure 4.
The graphical METAR icon
is gray when the textual
METAR or SPECI report
exceeds 75 minutes, but is
less than the textual METAR
expiration time of 120 minutes.
Figure 3
Figure 4
Value Added Service Weather Products
KMD 550/850 FIS PG R2 11/21/02 5:34 PM Page 12