EASY Question #10:

What weather phenomena cannot be identified by in-flight weather radar? Which weather phenomena are not detectable by in-flight weather radar? Which atmospheric conditions in flight are invisible to weather radar?

Answer:

In‑flight weather radar detects precipitation, but it cannot identify clear air turbulence (CAT), volcanic ash, lightning, or icing conditions directly. CAT occurs in cloud‑free air with no reflectivity, so pilots rely on SIGMETs and PIREPs to avoid it. Volcanic ash does not reflect radar waves effectively and can be ingested into engines, causing failure. Therefore, flight crews must use radar data with other sources like forecasts, and real‑time reports.