National Convective Weather Forecast - Display Summary
Existing convective hazards (based on NEXRAD and lightning data) are depicted using the color-coded 6-level NCWF hazard scale. In displaying forecast cell locations, the NCWF does NOT distinguish among level 3 through level 6.
NCWF Hazard Scale
| Level | Color | Effect |
|---|---|---|
| 5-6 | Red | Thunderstorms may contain any or all of the following: severe turbulence, severe icing, hail, frequent lightning, tornadoes and low-level windshear. The risk of hazardous weather generally increases with levels on the NCWF hazard scale. |
| 3-4 | Yellow, Orange | |
| 1-2 | Green |
Note: Although similar, the NCWF hazard scale levels are NOT identical to VIP levels (reference Pilot/Controller Glossary, “Radar Weather Echo Intensity Levels”).
One-hour forecast locations of signification convection (NCWF hazard scale levels of 3 or greater) are depicted with blue polygons. Their directions of movement and storm tops are also shown.
