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OPERA Radar Explorer

Explore near real-time weather radar information for European countries from the OPERA network, featuring maximum reflectivity and precipitation rate products.

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OPERA Radar Composites Overview

This page provides access to the EUMETNET OPERA high-resolution European weather radar composites. The network aggregates observations from national meteorological services across Europe to deliver real-time precipitation tracking and severe weather monitoring.

Use the interactive explorer

The explorer visualizes three core operational products. Use the sidebar to switch between products and observe the dynamic precipitation fields across Europe.

Dataset facts

Official source

EUMETNET OPERA Programme

Coverage

Pan-European domain combining C- and S-band ground radars from national meteorological services.

Update frequency

Products are generated operationally with frequencies ranging from 5 to 15 minutes, depending on the composite type, and are available with less than 10 minutes latency.

Licence

Data available via national meteorological services or ECOMET licensing.

Important limitation

Coverage and data quality depend on the operational status of individual national radar networks. Missing data, delays, or unfiltered low-reflectivity noise may occur.

Maximum Reflectivity (DBZH): A 1 km, 5-minute resolution composite showing the maximum radar reflectivity across the vertical column. Essential for nowcasting severe convective events, heavy precipitation, and identifying intense storm structures. Values are measured in dBZ.

Instantaneous Surface Rain Rate (RATE): A 2 km, 15-minute resolution composite providing the estimated instantaneous rainfall intensity at the surface. Derived from the lowest available radar scans and converted using the Marshall-Palmer relationship (Z=200*R^1.6). Ideal for assessing real-time rainfall severity. Values are measured in mm/h.

1-Hour Rainfall Accumulation (ACRR): A 2 km, 15-minute resolution composite aggregating the preceding hour of precipitation. Crucial for hydrological applications, flood risk assessment, and tracking cumulative storm impact. Values are measured in mm.

About this Data

This dashboard integrates the OPERA (Operational Program for the Exchange of Weather Radar Information) radar composite products, managed by EUMETNET. It provides a unified, continent-wide view of weather systems, breaking down national borders that typically constrain radar data.

The explorer currently provides three operational products:

• Maximum Reflectivity (CIRRUS): The highest reflectivity value found in the vertical column above a given 1 km pixel, updated every 5 minutes. Best for spotting severe weather like hail or deep convection.
• Instantaneous Rain Rate (NIMBUS): An estimate of the current surface rainfall intensity (mm/h) at a 2 km resolution, updated every 15 minutes.
• 1-Hour Accumulation (NIMBUS): The total accumulated rainfall (mm) over the previous hour, rolling every 15 minutes.

Data source

• EUMETNET OPERA Programme. Production centers: Météo-France (CIRRUS) and GeoSphere Austria (NIMBUS).
• Documentation: OPERA Current Activities.

Frequently Asked Questions

What does “dBZ” mean in the reflectivity product?

dBZ stands for decibels relative to Z (reflectivity). It is a logarithmic scale used to measure the intensity of radar echoes. Higher dBZ values typically indicate heavier precipitation, larger raindrops, or the presence of hail.

Why are there sometimes gaps in the radar coverage?

The pan-European composite relies on real-time data from national weather services. If a local radar is undergoing maintenance, experiencing communication delays, or if a country’s data is temporarily unavailable, it creates a blind spot in the overall composite.

How is the surface rain rate calculated?

The rain rate is estimated using the Marshall-Palmer Z-R relationship (Z = 200 * R^1.6), which mathematically converts the measured radar reflectivity (Z) from the lowest available scan into a rainfall intensity (R) in millimeters per hour.

Why does the radar sometimes show echoes when it is not raining?

While the OPERA processing applies quality control filters (like anomaly removal and satellite filtering) to eliminate non-meteorological targets, some low-reflectivity “noise” can still appear. Ground clutter, birds, insects, or anomalous propagation (when the radar beam bends back toward the ground) can occasionally mimic precipitation. Applying a small threshold (e.g., above 0.1 dBZ) can help clean up the visual display.