On a weather radar display, what does the color red indicate in terms of precipitation intensity?

• A. Green indicates light precipitation.
• B. Red indicates heavy precipitation.
• C. Blue indicates no precipitation.
• D. Yellow indicates moderate precipitation.

Answer: (B)

On a weather radar, color is used to show how intense the precipitation is. The radar sends out a signal and measures how much energy is reflected back by raindrops or snowflakes. More reflection means a higher intensity, and radar displays map those higher values to warmer colors. As intensity grows, the color typically shifts from green (light) to yellow, then orange, and finally red. Red marks the heaviest returns, indicating heavy precipitation, such as heavy rain or strong thunderstorms. The exact color thresholds can vary between radar systems, but the pattern is the same: red signals the most intense precipitation on that display.