RadarScope includes various data layers that can be overlaid on the map. Some layers are available to all RadarScope customers. Others are available via our RadarScope Pro subscription tiers, our WeatherOps decision support platform, or via third-party sources such as AllisonHouse and Spotter Network. You can change layer settings via the sidebar menu or via the Layers tab in the Settings view.
Some of the layers that haven't yet been defined within this user guide are explained below:
Lightning - The lightning layer displays lightning strike locations within the coverage area of the selected radar over the past 30 minutes. Lightning data is refreshed once a minute. Lightning data requires a RadarScope Pro subscription or an AllisonHouse data plan. The RadarScope Pro lightning feed displays cloud-to-ground strikes. Strikes are animated in sync with the radar loop and fade out with age. The AllisonHouse lightning feed displays both cloud-to-cloud and cloud-to-ground strikes, but it does not animate with the radar. Lightning data is currently available for the United States, Canada, and Europe.
Storm Tracks - The storm tracks layer displays projected storm paths determined by NWS storm-tracking algorithms. The storm track layer shows the expected position of the storm in 15 minute increments. Storm tracks are available to everyone via a NOAA feed. An alternative feed is available to AllisonHouse subscribers. Storm tracks are available only for the United States.
Derived Contours - Derived contours indicate the probability of hail, estimated hail size, and azimuthal wind shear as determined by processing real-time radar data through custom algorithms. They are available via a RadarScope Tier Two subscription. Contours cover a 24-hour period and are updated about twice an hour. They provide good indicators of where hail and wind shear occurred during recent severe weather events and, when combined with the 30-day archive in Tier Two, are useful for post-event analysis. Derived contours cover only the United States.
Assets - The assets layer displays asset locations defined in the WeatherOps Commander portal used by DTN enterprise customers. It requires a WeatherOps enterprise account. Assets are displayed in light red color. If two assets are close enough together that their names overlap on the map, only one will be shown.
Cities - The cities layer displays the names of over 25,000 cities and towns obtained from a U.S. census database. Names are filtered at varying zoom levels to reduce overlap and visual clutter.
Roads - The standard roads layer displays interstate and U.S. highways obtained from OpenStreetMap databases. RadarScope Pro Tier Two includes more detailed roads provided by Mapbox. Roads are shown as blue lines on the map. More roads and detail are displayed at higher zoom levels. Pro Tier Two subscribers can select the desired road map provider in the Data section of the Settings.
Road Labels - When the Mapbox road map provider is selected, highway labels can be toggled on or off.
Satellite - The satellite base map layer displays satellite imagery from Mapbox. It's available to RadarScope Pro Tier Two subscribers.