This product gives you the option to select which beam angle you want to see reflectivity data from. Each radar tower sends signals out at several different angles of elevation. The higher the angle, the faster the radar beam gains elevation as it travels away from the radar source. By putting data from these angles together, you can create a 3-D picture of what’s going on at different levels in the atmosphere. You can see how high storms reach into the atmosphere (a measure of strength), or if the thunderstorm is horizontally displaced with height (depending on the situation, potentially a sign of weakening). Precipitation suspended in the higher parts of a storm with nothing falling near the ground is another thing to look for as it is often an indication of a strong updraft and a setup that precedes large hail.
