Residents across Catalonia can now check real-time rainfall and its intensity through the meteorological radar provided by Meteocat, the Catalan meteorological service. The system offers an up-to-the-minute view of precipitation, helping people plan their day.
The radar images, sourced from Meteocat, update every six minutes. Users should remember to adjust the displayed Universal Time (UT) by adding one hour during winter time and two hours during summer time to match local Catalan clocks. This ensures accurate understanding of current weather conditions.
How the Radar System Works
The radar functions by emitting short, high-frequency pulses of electromagnetic waves from a parabolic antenna. These waves travel at the speed of light until they encounter atmospheric obstacles such as raindrops, snowflakes, or hail. The waves then reflect back to the radar, allowing the system to determine the position, intensity, and movement of the detected precipitation, according to Meteocat.
Each radar unit can provide a view of weather activity up to approximately 100 kilometres away. This range helps cover large areas effectively. The information is presented using a colour code to indicate varying levels of precipitation intensity, from light drizzle to heavy downpours.
Catalonia's Radar Network
The Meteorological Service of Catalonia currently operates a network of four radars that collectively cover the entire region. These strategically located radars ensure full coverage for accurate weather monitoring.
These four radar stations are situated in Vallirana (Baix Llobregat), Tivissa-Llaberia (Ribera d’Ebre), Puig d’Arques (Baix Empordà), and La Panadella (Anoia). This distributed network allows Meteocat to provide a full picture of precipitation across Catalonia, supporting both public information and emergency services.
