Whats the best radar program?

[Mark Blue]

MB stands for millibars, which is a measure of pressure. Correct me if I'm wrong, but 300 MB storm relative winds would essentially be the steering currents for any thunderstorms in that environment and forecasted time frame. It gives you an idea of which way the storms will most likely travel for the time selected. 300 mb is in the upper levels of the atmosphere for reference purposes. That's the quick and dirty version, and others who are sharper than I can chime in with more detail.

Allisonhouse isn't required for using GRL3 and it will function just fine without it. It's a nice to have option, for me at least, for data reliability and the other perks that come along with it (custom place files, etc.). It's a small price to pay for what you receive in return.

 

[Todd Rector]

I don't think you will be disappointed with GR3, especially if you have used the trial version.

mb = millibar, which is unit to measure atmospheric pressure. Good explanation here: http://geography.about.com/od/climate/a/highlowpressure.htm
Sea level is typically 1013mb, but surface pressure changes constantly with weather patterns. Frequently it is used as a measurement of altitude as well: 500mb is roughly 18,000 feet. The lower the number, the higher the relative altitude. (see below chart, "borrowed" from http://www.theweatherprediction.com/basic/isopleths/ )

1000 mb-- near surface
850 mb-- 1,500 meters (5,000 feet)
700 mb-- 3,100 meters (10,000 feet)
500 mb-- 5,500 meters (18,000 feet)
300 mb-- 9,300 meters (30,000 feet)

Many of the weather charts/graphs you will be looking at are going to be showing what is happening at a particular "slice" of altitude rather than at the surface, and different levels interact with each other in different ways. Forecasting became much easier for me when I started thinking of weather as being three dimensional over time (and I still have soooo much to learn....)

TR

 

[Bob Schafer]

Correct me if I'm wrong, but 300 MB storm relative winds would essentially be the steering currents for any thunderstorms in that environment and forecasted time frame.

You are wrong, lol. The steering winds are more like the average of the 850mb to 500mb winds, and NOT the storm-relative versions of them. Maybe not exactly correct, but that's the general idea.

 

[calvinkaskey]

I just looked at the future radar from intellicast and the weather channel, visually assessed the thunderstorms, then look at the radar and NWS for movement and location

 

[rdale]

I just looked at the future radar from intellicast and the weather channel, visually assessed the thunderstorms, then look at the radar and NWS for movement and location

I knew there was something I always forget before chasing

 

[Todd Rector]

In my 4/26 post, I mentioned:

"RADARSCOPE on an iPad is moderately powerful and very user-friendly. EASY integration with SpotterNetwork, easily/quickly switch between RDA's (radar sites) and can automatically switch you to the closest RDA when you are on the move. Full touch screen compatibility is a total win. Also, it's really cheap to buy - like $10."

UPDATE: I just noticed today that Radarscope has been ported to the Android platform. I downloaded it from Google Play and putzed around with it for a bit on my Galaxy Note 10.1. It seemed to have the same look, feel and functionality as the iPad version. Still $10, which is a fraction of what I spent for gas on my last chase/bust in Nebraska. I will still use PYKL3 as my main radar app on the Android, but it's nice to have Radarscope for comparison/backup.

Also, just a few days ago my PYKL3 application updated and made available a topographic underlay. Not sure how useful this will be, but it's nice to see the guys at PYKL constantly working to improve their product.

 

[Steve Miller]

Just a quick mention, RadarScope will update in the near future. Some UI enhancements, a couple new products, and a big knock-your-socks-off feature everyone here will appreciate. Update will push to iOS devices first and Android a couple weeks later.

 

[Todd Rector]

Just a quick mention, RadarScope will update in the near future. Some UI enhancements, a couple new products, and a big knock-your-socks-off feature everyone here will appreciate. Update will push to iOS devices first and Android a couple weeks later.

Do you have any insight as to what this cool "knock-your-socks-off" feature is?

(asking for a friend)

 

[Steve Miller]

Todd, I do but unfortunately we are not going any further than teasing it at this point. Such teases!

 

[Todd Rector]

DOH!
(this line added so the message exceeds 20 characters)

 

[rdale]

Just a quick mention, RadarScope will update in the near future.

Excellent! Looking forward to hi-res SRV finally! Plus basic METAR data. That'll be nice. Any possibility of adding non-AH placefiles?

 

[Jason_Dasho]

Amen to high res srv!

Sent from my SCH-S738C using Tapatalk

 

[Casey Osburn]

Amen to high res srv!

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This.

I would also like to be able to adjust the color tables. That's one element of PYKL3 I really appreciate.

METARs would be great for Radarscope, along with control over the speed of the looping.

All relatively minor additions but would make a world of difference. Right now, I have both PYKL3 and Radarscope on my Android device, because neither gives me everything I need. With a few modifications, either could become the new mobile GRLevel3, which I think everyone would love to have.

 

[montanastorms]

Has anyone downloaded and played with WeatherWall on iOS? It's a level 3 radar app. I purchased it for $12.99 but am slightly disappointed in lack of any icons of any kind and no tracks. The guy is on the right track, just leaves you wanting more. Definitely not worth $12.99 when Radarscope and Pykl3 especially offering all this for $9.99... But I should mention that it does have SN and AH integration and it also comes with some other pretty neat features. I'm about 50/50 on it.

 

[rdale]

The dual display is very nice, and the storm motion. It's still missing a little polish though.