Which statement about radar imagery is true?

• A. Radar images are always perfect
• B. Radar is unaffected by weather
• C. Radar cannot be used for weather avoidance
• D. Radar can be used to avoid bad weather

Answer: (D)

Radar imagery shows precipitation echoes and their movement, giving you real-time cues about storm location, size, and direction. Because storms are dynamic, you can use that information to plan a route or altitude that stays clear of the most intense weather, which is exactly what weather avoidance relies on. The idea that radar images are always perfect isn’t true because resolution is limited, echoes can be attenuated in heavy rain, and there are gaps in coverage. Radar being unaffected by weather isn’t accurate either, since weather phenomena are precisely what radar detects. And saying radar cannot be used for weather avoidance contradicts the primary purpose of radar in flight planning and operations.