SOUTHEAST H.D. RADARS
How to Use H. D. Radars:
The HD radars only show one radar site at a time. On the full WV radar, you are seeing Charleston. When you use the hotspots and go to the northern part of the state, you see Pittsburgh. The eastern part of the state, the hotspot switches to Sterling. The southern half of the state uses Charleston. So you are getting all three radars for the entire state, but you only see one at a time.
You would not want to have all three radars showing on the same map at the same time. The radar sites operate at different frequencies/time schedules. They are also pointing at different levels in the atmosphere.
For example, when the Charleston radar looks at Fairmont, the radar beam is over 12,000 feet above the ground because of the curvature of the earth. When the Pittsburgh radar looks at Fairmont, the radar beam is only about 6,000 feet above the ground because Pittsburgh is closer to Fairmont than Charleston. So the Pittsburgh radar will see something different than Charleston because it is looking at a much lower level in the clouds.
Therefore, if you overlaid the Pittsburgh radar on top of Charleston (or vice versa) you would not get an accurate match because they are not looking at the same place and at the same time.
Hope that makes sense!
Steve
Disclaimer:
“Lightning data provided by NAPLN, the North American Precision Lightning Network. Experience has shown that the resolution, timeliness, and format of NAPLN Lightning Data do not present a complete picture or description of the presence of lightning or convective activity in a particular area or the potential impact of such activity on the safety of personnel and property. Interpretation and use of the data, including any extrapolation or forecast based on such data, is at customer's sole risk.”