UK hi-res 5 minute weather radar

[Paul]

If you're into tracking, chasing or watching storms across the UK, the 5 minute hi res radar on Netweather really is the ultimate tool to use. It is also the only publicly available 5 minute, high resolution radar in the UK at the moment.

The 2 obvious benefits from the other radar's out there (both free and paid for) are the number of updates - with updates every 5 minutes you can follow the development of a storm or shower far more closely. Storm cells can develop and die extremely quickly, so having more regular updates is a real advantage.

The higher resolution the other major benefit, with 1km and 2km resolution in many areas across the UK there is upto 5 times more detail on the radar images than on the standard 5km resolution radar. To see the difference that this can make, see the examples below from earlier this year:

High resolution (smoothed view)

Low resolution (smoothed view)

Hi resolution (pixellated)

Low resolution (pixellated)

Some of the other features of the Netweather radar system are:

• Customisable and postcode zoom facility
  
• Animations with speed control
  
• Full archive back to 2005
  
• Overlay data from onto the radar image
  
• Overlay lightning strikes onto the radar image
  
• 15 minute European radar
  
• Alternative scale and topographical map
  

All of the above are included in the subscription price of £23.95 per year or £3.49 a month. For more information and instant access, visit this page:

http://www.netweather.tv/index.cgi?action=...ype=radar;sess=

[Paul]

Just to give this a bump, the radar now has the 5 minute lightning detector plugged into it, so you can overlay the very latest lighting strikes onto the radar - which is proving very useful today! This is included in the radar only subscription, which is £3.49 a month or £23.95 a year.

If you would like to upgrade to the Extra lite service, this costs £6.49 a month, £25.99 for 6 months or £43.99 for a year, this gives you access to all the radar features, the stand alone 5 minute lighting detector, in depth forecasts + more.

If you've any questions about the services, feel free to email or pm me, or reply into this thread

[Paul]

I grabbed some images of yesterdays storms which I hope you'll find interesting and show that the lightning detection is really pretty accurate and that the new high resolution radar comes into it's own when it comes to tracking storms and convection.

Firstly the radar with the lighting overlayed onto it from yesterday afternoon, you can see the lightning is clustered over a cell, which was confirmed as being a storm:

Next one shows a zoomed in image using the pixellated view on the hi res radar, notice how much small detail you get from each cell, with the strongest rain showing very well:

This is the same view, and at the same time using the low resolution radar - notice the lack of good detail:

And the same shots again - hi res first using the smoothed view option:

Low res smooth:

I think it goes to show what a great tool the new radar is

[kold weather]

I love the radar, seriously once you've used it you'll find the 15 in lower resolution radar a lot less impressive!

[Uncle_Barty]

Thanks guys, thats brilliant.

Just one question - the lightning strikes are not showing up on the zoomed view - is this intentional/not possible, etc.>?

[Paul]

Hi Jim, sorry I didn't notice your question until now - the lightning can't be zoomed at the moment but this functionality is planned to be added pretty soon B)

[Paul]

Quick screenshot of the latest lighting to give you a taste of the Strikestar detection system:

More info on the radar available here:

http://www.netweather.tv/index.cgi?action=...ype=radar;sess=

[Winso]

Is anyone aware of any mobile phones that can handle NW radar in full? It's phone upgrade time and it would be handy to get something that I can view the radar on and allow some animation etc. Currently on my phone I'm limited to just viewing the latest radar grab which isn't massively useful when chasing...

Thanks!

[Thundersquall]

Just to give this a bump, the radar now has the 5 minute lightning detector plugged into it, so you can overlay the very latest lighting strikes onto the radar - which is proving very useful today! This is included in the radar only subscription, which is £3.49 a month or £23.95 a year.

If you would like to upgrade to the Extra lite service, this costs £6.49 a month, £25.99 for 6 months or £43.99 for a year, this gives you access to all the radar features, the stand alone 5 minute lighting detector, in depth forecasts + more.

If you've any questions about the services, feel free to email or pm me, or reply into this thread

I pay the roughly £9.49 per month rate - I assume this is the full package?

Cheers - TS.

[WindWatcher]

Firstly, this radar service is absolutely fantastic for storm chasing, and on a more basic note can you put the washing out!

I was lucky enough to win a competition on NW for a subscription for LIFE!!! Sure enough every year it renews!

Don't tell Paul - but I would willingly pay for it, it has become such a way of life for me!

One thing for storm chasing in particular that I would like to see is a definable period for the lighting overlay. On a recent chase a very active MCS was heading across the channel which I intercepted in Worthing. But it died as soon as it reached the coast, the Lightning symbols showed over the rainfall for a good 45 mins after the last strike. Presumably because of the 15 min delay and a 1/2hour lightning overlay?

Would it be possible to have the lightning overlay configurable for the time period. On a chase you are really only in interested in the recent activity ~15mins just like the radar image?

Many thanks for a wonderful service, if in doubt get a netweather subscription - you will wonder how you lived without it.

Cheers

Steve

[vortex_liam]

Did you know it was you that made me sign up here and get the radar only sub...

[we1330]

I heartily agree, the NW Radar is superb, well worth paying for B).

[rixxxgolf]

Anyone use the weatheronline one and have a comparison?

Might change to this if genuinely better...

[Sprites]

I currently have the radar only subscription, it is very usefull when showers/storms are around.

i always use the "smoothed" setting , anyone else use this setting?

[paul m]

I have only had it a few days and it is good

[Douglas33]

Currently on my phone I'm limited to just viewing the latest radar grab which isn't massively useful when chasing...