10 Weather Radar Manufacturers in 2024
This section provides an overview for weather radars as well as their applications and principles. Also, please take a look at the list of 10 weather radar manufacturers and their company rankings. Here are the top-ranked weather radar companies as of April, 2024: 1.Vaisala Oyj.
Table of Contents
What Is a Weather Radar?
A Weather Radar is a radar used to observe cloud movements, rainfall patterns, snowfall, and other meteorological phenomena.
Meteorological agencies install weather radars in various locations on the ground, and airports are equipped with weather radars as well. Additionally, radars installed in aircraft serve the function of weather radar.
Weather radar emits radio waves into the atmosphere, and upon reflection from clouds or precipitation, the returning radio waves are received by the antenna. The time taken for the radio waves to reflect allows for the calculation of the distance to clouds or precipitation. The strength of the returning radio waves is used to determine the intensity of rainfall.
By analyzing the phase shift between emitted and received radio waves, it is possible to observe whether clouds or precipitation are approaching or receding. This phase shift, known as the Doppler effect, is utilized in Doppler radar.
Uses of Weather Radar
In the aviation industry, weather radar is employed for the safe operation of aircraft. Ground-based weather radar observes cloud movements within a radius of approximately 120 km, ensuring that hazardous clouds are not approaching during aircraft takeoff and landing.
Particularly beneath cumulonimbus clouds, strong downdrafts are likely to occur, and air traffic controllers take precautions, such as suspending aircraft takeoffs and landings, when cumulonimbus clouds are approaching near runways. On the other hand, weather radar installed in aircraft allows observation of clouds in the direction of travel.
If cumulonimbus clouds are ahead of the aircraft, pilots will alter the course. When turbulence is anticipated upon entering the clouds, pilots advise passengers and crew to take their seats and fasten their seat belts.
Principles of Weather Radar
Radar echo images display distributions such as the position of rain clouds and rainfall amounts, enabling the estimation of meteorological phenomena. Echo images can observe meteorological phenomena not visible in visible and infrared cloud images from weather satellites. In echo images, precipitation is often classified by color, allowing for the estimation of rainfall patterns from intensity distributions.
The temporal changes in echo images reveal the characteristics of meteorological phenomena. Colored areas are referred to as precipitation areas, and the onset and movement of precipitation areas are used to estimate weather patterns.
Types of Weather Radar
There are primarily five types of weather radar: microwave radar, millimeter-wave radar, Doppler radar, polarimetric radar, and lightning radar.
1. Microwave Radar
Analyzes electromagnetic waves reflected by crystals such as rain or snow to observe the density and position of precipitation like snow and rain. It uses electromagnetic waves with a wavelength of 3 to 10 cm.
2. Millimeter-Wave Radar
Analyzes millimeter waves with a wavelength of about 1 mm to 10 mm, similar to microwave radar.
3. Doppler Radar
Observe frequency shifts due to the Doppler effect by emitting radio waves. It can measure wind direction and speed and observe the flow and movement of air and clouds on a fine scale. It is suitable for observation during rough weather, but in clear weather, wind cannot be observed as there are no raindrops.
4. Polarimetric Radar
Emits both horizontal and vertical polarized waves and determines precipitation intensity by the difference in the reflectivity of the waves.
5. Lightning Radar
Analyzes reflected electromagnetic waves and can also observe lightning.
How to Choose Weather Radar
Weather radar selection depends on factors related to observation and estimation.
1. Microwave Radar
Observe shadow areas that are challenging to observe due to obstacles, making them suitable for installations in mountainous areas. It has become compact and lightweight and is also deployed on weather satellites, which are less affected by ground obstacles due to their wide observation range.
2. Millimeter-Wave Radar
With a shorter wavelength, it can observe small objects and is suitable for observing particles in fog and cloud droplets. It is used not only in ground-based installations but also on weather satellites.
3. Doppler Radar
Grasps wind direction and speed to observe the flow and movement of air and clouds on a fine scale. It is suitable for observation during rough weather, but in clear weather, wind cannot be observed as there are no raindrops.
4. Polarimetric Radar
Less affected by factors such as raindrop size and transmit power, allowing for quantitative observation.
5. Lightning Radar
Since thunderstorms interfere with other observations, their use is limited. For lightning observation, a separate radar may be installed.
List of 10 Weather Radar Manufacturers
*Including some distributors, etc.
Sort by Features
- Default
- Company Size: largest first
- Year Founded: oldest first
- Year Founded: earliest first
Sort by Area
- United States of America
- Japan
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Garmin
Weather Radar & Receivers
Manufacturer Overview
Garmin, established in 1989 and based in Kansas, USA, is a manufacturer of consumer electronics such as GPS navigation and wearable technology to the automotive, aviation, marine, outdoor and fitness markets. The company's main products are smart watches, navigators, handheld GPS, cameras, and radios, mainly used by people who do outdoor activities. They also offer autopilot products for marine and aviation transportation. The company has offices throughout Europe, Asia, Middle East, South America, and Australia so their products are sold all over the world.
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Morcom International, Inc.
Weather Radars
Company Overview
Morcom International Inc., founded in 1984 with headquarters in Chantilly, Virginia, USA, is a manufacturer and distributor of broadband wireless, medium-wave and RF communication, and information systems. The company's products and solutions include public safety radio and aeronautical communication systems, weather forecasting systems, and broadband wireless infrastructure. The company also offers two-way radios, walkie-talkies, radio sets, and weather station equipment. It serves markets including aeronautical, government, and institutional weather forecasting, as well as information processing and handling.
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Japan Radio Co.
Weather Radar Systems
Manufacturer Overview
Japan Radio Co., Ltd., established in 1917 and located in Tokyo, Japan, is a manufacturer of telecommunications technology and communications society. The company offers a wide range of products and solutions, including communication equipment, navigation equipment, radar systems, and more. It also provides marine electronics, measuring equipment for telecommunication, radio broadcasting equipment, and amateur radio equipment. Its product allows individual radar and communication systems to share spectrum bands, which improves spectrum utilization. The company has achieved ISO 9001:2015 and CMMC certification. It specializes in the field of wireless electronics for the communications industry.
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Vaisala Oyj
Vaisala weather radars
Manufacturer Overview
Vaisala, established in 1936 in Finland, is a technology company that is a manufacturer of electronic measurement systems and equipment for meteorology, environmental sciences, traffic safety, and industry worldwide. The Company's products include radiosondes, barometric pressure measurements, weather stations, lighting detection systems, and moisture measurement solutions. Vaisala also sells a large selection of its products directly to consumers via the company's online store. The company also provides commercial clients with the XWeather subscription service, which offers numerous options for industrial-grade environmental measurement.
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Collins Aerospace
Weather Radar
Company Overview
Collins Aerospace, founded in 2018 and based in Charlotte, North Carolina, is a manufacturer and supplier specializing in actuation systems and avionics. The company's product portfolio includes composite aircraft doors, thermal management systems, and integrated cockpit solutions. These products are used in various applications, including business aviation, military and defense, and commercial and military helicopter manufacturing. The company offers services including technical support, warranty claims, and repairs while exporting its products to various countries, including South Africa, Poland, and Qatar.
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LEONARDO Germany GmbH
Weather Radar Systems
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Honeywell Aerospace
Weather Radar
Company Overview
Honeywell International Ltd., a global conglomerate headquartered in the United States, is a major technology company providing a wide range of aerospace solutions since 1906. The company's product portfolio encompasses aerospace systems, industrial automation, and connected solutions for homes and buildings. Their solutions can reduce the risk for the plane accidents, designed to aid pilots in safe take-off and landing, Increase flight crew awareness, and pinpoint precise airplane location to aid landings. The advancement of urban air mobility and increase in commercial travel will challenge the modern airspace and their products offer gain visibility and control to keep flights safe.
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Enterprise Electronics Corporation
Weather Radar Systems
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EWR Radar Systems, Inc.
Weather Radar Systems
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Baron Weather, Inc.
Weather Radar
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Weather Radar Manufacturer Ranking
*Including some distributors, etc.Ranking as of April 2024
Derivation Method| Rank | Company | Click Share |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Vaisala Oyj |
100.0%
|
Derivation Method
The ranking is calculated based on the click share within the weather radar page as of April 2024. Click share is defined as the total number of clicks for all companies during the period divided by the number of clicks for each company.Number of Employees
- Japan Radio Co.: 5,639
- Vaisala Oyj: 1,850
Newly Established Company
- Morcom International, Inc.: 1984 (40 years ago)
- Vaisala Oyj: 1936 (88 years ago)
- Japan Radio Co.: 1915 (109 years ago)
Company with a History
- Japan Radio Co.: 1915 (109 years ago)
- Vaisala Oyj: 1936 (88 years ago)
- Morcom International, Inc.: 1984 (40 years ago)
Weather Radar Manufacturers in United States
*Including some distributors, etc.
Global Distribution of Weather Radar Manufacturers by Country
*Including some distributors, etc.
| Country | Number of Companies | Share (%) |
|---|---|---|
United States of America
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2 | 66.7% |
Japan
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1 | 33.3% |
