For the following radar interpretation scenario, choose the aspect of radar geometry or operation that is probably causing the difficulty.
There is an intense thunderstorm containing large hail 16 km (10 mi) east of a military radar used to monitor aircraft. Another thunderstorm with reports of large hail is 40 km (25 mi) farther east. The forecaster on duty did not issue any statement or warning about the hail from the easternmost storm because reflectivity values for that storm were too low to indicate hail. What phenomenon likely caused this discrepancy? Explain.
(Type your answer in the box, then click Done.)
Attenuation is the likely cause of this scenario. When the radar beam had to pass through the first storm, some attenuation occurred such that a reduced amount of energy was available to scan the second, easternmost storm. This is probably what caused the lowered reflectivity values there.