How does aircraft weather radar work?

Weather radar transmits pulses of electromagnetic energy (typically X-band, 9.3 GHz) and analyzes returns from precipitation. It measures: Reflectivity (precipitation intensity, displayed in color from green/light to red/severe), Range to weather cells, and Doppler shift (in modern radars) for wind shear detection. Features include: Tilt control for scanning different altitudes, Ground clutter suppression, Turbulence detection through spectral width analysis, and Predictive windshear alerting. Weather radar helps pilots avoid severe weather, hail, and turbulence. Modern systems (WXR-2100, RDR-4000) include 3D volumetric scanning and threat assessment. Range is typically 320 nm.