Color-coded values of radar return intensities (reflectivities) from a national network of NWS radar sites is plotted. The logarithmic ratio of return to transmitted energy provides the numerical scale. The returns are composited from the base or lowest level echo patterns of reporting stations. Also available is an animation of the previous six hourly images.

Reflectivity Scale	Intensity (dBZ)	Approx. Rainfall Rate (in/hr)
	55 + 50 - 54 45 - 49 40 - 44 30 - 39 15 - 29 < 15	> 4.0 2.0 - 3.9 1..0 - 1.9 0.5 - 0.9 0.1 - 0.4 0.01 - 0.09 0 or Trace

The higher categories shown may be an overestimate of actual rainfall rates due to contamination by the presence of hail in thunderstorms.