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What a Doppler Is
Doppler radar is a specialized radar system that helps meteorologists predict short-term weather and analyze large storm systems, such as tornadoes, hurricanes and severe thunderstorms.
Weather Radar Function
In weather radar systems, an antenna sends radio waves out into the air. When the waves hit rain, snow or dust they scatter. The scattered waves bounce back toward the radar, which collects them. The data provided by the waves is converted into pictures on a screen, where it can be mapped and interpreted by meteorologists.
How Doppler Differs
Doppler systems measure frequencies as well as wavelengths. USAtoday.com Weather explains that lower frequencies mean precipitation is moving away from the Doppler's antenna, and higher frequencies mean precipitation is moving toward it. Doppler technology allows meteorologists to collect data about wind speed and direction and predict the movement of weather systems.
Placement
Doppler systems have been placed all over the United States by the National Weather Service. Some news stations use these systems for their images, and some use their own Doppler systems.