Google Earth updates radar data

by mickey on March 20, 2008

A few months back, Google added near-real time weather data, which included radars.  Today, they’ve added coverage for a few more areas:

  • Europe
  • Canada
  • Alaska
  • Hawaii
  • Puerto Rico

I really like the radars in Google Earth.  Not only are they useful, but they’re pretty cool.  They float a few miles above the  surface of the earth, just the way actual clouds do.

Here are some pictures of the current radar in Alaska to show you what I mean:

Alaska Radar: Top ViewAlaska Radar: Side ViewAlaska Radar: Bottom View

To use the radars, simple enable the “Radar” option in the “Weather” layer, as shown below:

Google Earth Radar Layer

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  • Jim Black

    On the Western Slope of Colorado, Google Earth weather layers give me better predictive info. than the local weather man.

    Question:

    Where can I get the legend that explains the RADAR color spectrum?

    Regards,
    Jim Black
    Lynx E&M LLC

  • Bill Smith

    The Google Earth radar overlay is pretty good. However, the rain displays as a flat surface hovering 20 miles above the surface of the earth giving a very distorted view of the rain.

  • Jonathan Ryshpan

    What do the various colors represent in GoogleEarth Radar. I assume that green means rain, and that darker green represents heavier rain. What do gray, red, and purple represent?

    Thanks – jon

  • Jim Black

    Jon,

    Basically, I was asking the same question and never got an answer…

    If you find out, please post the answer.

    Regards,
    Jim Black

  • Omni

    Google earth uses weather.com’s radar, you can find the legend on their website:
    Three levels of green are severity of rain
    White/grey are snow
    Pinks are “ice/mix”
    Yellow is fog
    Red is severe storms
    http://www.weather.com/weather/local/USNY0181?lswe=buffalo%20ny&from=searchbox_localwx

  • robert arvid johnson

    Its raining cats and dogs in Dickinson Texas and I greatly appreciate finding an answer to my question about the color scheme of Google Earth weather radar display. Thank you all,

  • Pallavi mamidala

    i wanna know the technology behind this google earth, to make a project called smart space cob(SMART CC).

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