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    • NWS Radar Integrated Display with Geospatial Elements 1 (RIDGE 1)

    Metadata Updated: April 1, 2026

    The National Weather Service (NWS) Radar Integrated Display with Geospatial Elements 1 (RIDGE 1) depicts national and regional mosaics of radar products. These georeferenced radar images (GIFs) can be displayed in combination with geospatial elements such as NWS-issued warning areas, topography maps, highways, and geopolitical boundaries. There are four RIDGE 1 products: 1) Base Reflectivity; 2) Composite Reflectivity; 3) One-hour Precipitation; and 4) Echo Tops. Base Reflectivity is taken from the lowest 1/2 degree elevation radar scan. Reflectivity (measured in dBZ) is related to the power, or intensity, of the reflected radiation that is sensed a radar antenna, thus it is related to rainfall intensity (e.g., drop size and rainfall rate) and hail size (for large values of reflectivity). Composite Reflectivity utilizes all elevation scans during each volume scan. It is composed of the greatest echo intensity (reflectivity) from any elevation angle seen from the radar and is used to reveal the highest reflectivity in all echoes. One-hour Precipitation is an hourly radar-estimate of precipitation accumulation (in inches). It is used to assess rainfall intensities for flash flood warnings, urban flood statements and special weather statements. Echo Tops are the height (in Kft) above ground of the center of the radar beam using the tilt, or scan that contains the highest elevation where reflectivities greater than 18 dBZ can be detected. The mosaic regions covered by RIDGE 1 are the Continental U.S. (National), Alaska, Hawaii, and Puerto Rico.

    Access & Use Information

    License: No license information was provided. If this work was prepared by an officer or employee of the United States government as part of that person's official duties it is considered a U.S. Government Work.

    Downloads & Resources

    Dates

    Metadata Date March 10, 2026
    Metadata Created Date April 1, 2026
    Metadata Updated Date April 1, 2026
    Reference Date(s) October 1, 2009 (publication)
    Frequency Of Update notPlanned

    Metadata Source

    Harvested from ncdc

    Other Data Resources

    Graphic Preview

    RIDGE base reflectivity

    Additional Metadata

    Resource Type Dataset
    Metadata Date March 10, 2026
    Metadata Created Date April 1, 2026
    Metadata Updated Date April 1, 2026
    Reference Date(s) October 1, 2009 (publication)
    Responsible Party NWS/AFS/FSD/SFPWWSB > Severe, Fire, Public, and Winter Weather Services Branch, National Weather Service, NOAA, U.S. Department of Commerce (Point of Contact); NOAA/NWS/DISS > Office of Dissemination, National Weather Service, NOAA, U.S. Department of Commerce (Point of Contact); NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information (Point of Contact)
    Contact Email
    Guid gov.noaa.ncdc:C00758
    Access Constraints Distribution liability: NOAA and NCEI make no warranty, expressed or implied, regarding these data, nor does the fact of distribution constitute such a warranty. NOAA and NCEI cannot assume liability for any damages caused by any errors or omissions in these data. If appropriate, NCEI can only certify that the data it distributes are an authentic copy of the records that were accepted for inclusion in the NCEI archives., Use liability: NOAA and NCEI cannot provide any warranty as to the accuracy, reliability, or completeness of furnished data. Users assume responsibility to determine the usability of these data. The user is responsible for the results of any application of this data for other than its intended purpose.
    Bbox East Long -24.0
    Bbox North Lat 67.0
    Bbox South Lat 11.0
    Bbox West Long 125.0
    Coupled Resource
    Frequency Of Update notPlanned
    Graphic Preview Description RIDGE base reflectivity
    Graphic Preview File http://www.erh.noaa.gov/er/iln/TDWRCaseStudy1/New%20Doppler%20Ridge%202%20Radar%20Display_files/image002.jpg
    Graphic Preview Type JPEG
    Harvest Object Id 3ceff5fa-b11f-4a0c-81c3-296b9f500dbc
    Harvest Source Id 2cb3ef77-1683-4c2a-9119-dc65e50917c6
    Harvest Source Title ncdc
    Licence
    Lineage
    Metadata Language eng; USA
    Metadata Type geospatial
    Old Spatial {"type": "Polygon", "coordinates": [[[125.0, 11.0], [-24.0, 11.0], [-24.0, 67.0], [125.0, 67.0], [125.0, 11.0]]]}
    Progress
    Spatial Data Service Type
    Spatial Reference System
    Spatial Harvester True
    Temporal Extent Begin 2009-05-01
    Temporal Extent End 2017-08-11

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