Download or read book Advanced Spotters' Field Guide written by U. S. Department Of Commerce and published by . This book was released on 2013-07-02 with total page 0 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: The National Weather Service (NWS) has a number of devices for detecting severe thunderstorms. Included in these are radar, satellite, and lightning detection networks. However, the most important tool for observing thunderstorms is the trained eye of the storm spotter. While radar is used quite often in severe storm warnings, conventional weather radar will only indicate areas and intensities of precipitation. It does not give any indication of cloud formations or wind fields associated with a storm. Doppler radar, which is being introduced across the country, will give some indication of air motions inside a storm. Doppler radar, though, will not give these indications down to ground level. It is impossible for any radar to detect every severe weather event in its coverage area, and radar occasionally suggests severe weather when, in fact, none is present.