radar

Here, I present a general overview of some weather radar applications that I think are interesting. Some of the more feature-rich options, like AWIPS or the Gibson Ridge suite, are aimed at professionals and thus are not often mentioned when the question “which radar program should I use?” comes up. The current analysis is limited, but I plan on adding more in-depth feature explanations to each piece of software in the future. Platform support and pricing models are listed up-front, since they’re the most important metric when it comes to actually deciding to use a piece of software. Other data will be added piecemeal as I continue to refine this list.

Standalone Applications

AWIPS II CAVE 

• Platforms : Linux, macOS, Windows
• Pricing: Free and open-source 
• Levels: 2 and 3
• Advisories: All
• User Guide 
  • A detailed user manual  is available, but is somewhat dated and is specifically for the NWS version of AWIPS

GR2Analyst Version 3 

• Platforms: Windows
• Pricing : $250.00 one-time purchase
• Levels: 2
• Advisories :
  • Warnings (Special Marine, Flash Flood, Severe Thunderstorm, Tornado, Tornado Reported, Tornado Emergency)
• User Guide 

GRLevel3 Version 3 

• Platforms: Windows
• Pricing : $79.95 one-time purchase
• Levels: 3
• Advisories :
  • Warnings (Special Marine, Flash Flood, Severe Thunderstorm, Tornado, Tornado Reported, Tornado Emergency)
• User Guide 

RadarScope 

• Platforms: macOS, Windows, Android, iOS
• Pricing : $9.99 mobile, $29.99 desktop one-time purchases
• Subscriptions :
  • Pro Tier One: $9.99/yr
  • Pro Tier Two: $99.99/yr or $14.99/mo
• Levels: 2 and 3
• Advisories :
  • Warnings (Tornado, Severe Thunderstorm, Flash Flood, Special Marine, Snow Squall, and Extreme Wind) are provided in the base app without a Pro subscription
  • A Pro subscription adds watches, statements, discussions, and local storm reports
• User Guide 

RadarOmega 

• Platforms: Linux, macOS, Windows, Android, iOS
• Pricing: $8.99 mobile one-time purchase
• Subscriptions :
  • Gamma: $49.00/yr or $4.99/mo
  • Beta: $89.00/yr or $8.99/mo
  • Alpha: $119.00/yr or $11.99/mo
• Levels: 2 and 3
• Advisories (manual, page 9):
  • Warnings (Tornado, Severe Thunderstorm, Flash Flood, Special Marine), special weather statements
• User Guide 

wX 

• Platforms: Linux, macOS, Windows, Android, iOS
• Pricing: Free and open-source 
• Levels: 2 and 3
• Advisories: All
• User Guide 

Online Applications

QuadWeather 

• Pricing: Free, with an account requirement
• Subscriptions :
  • QuadWeather Extra: $29.99/yr or $3.99/mo
• Levels: 2
• Advisories: Warnings, statements

AtticRadar 

• Pricing: Free and open-source 
• Levels: 2 and 3
• Advisories: Warnings, watches, statements, and discussions

NWS Radar 

• Pricing: Free
• Levels: 2 and 3
• Advisories: Warnings
• User Guide