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OPERA Radar Explorer

Explore near-real-time European OPERA weather radar and download selected DBZH, RATE, and ACRR frames as georeferenced GeoTIFF files.

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OPERA Radar Composites Overview

This page provides an independent visualization of the EUMETNET OPERA high-resolution European weather radar composites. Climate Explorer is not affiliated with EUMETNET; we are reusing the data produced by the OPERA program, which aggregates observations from national meteorological services across Europe to deliver real-time precipitation tracking and severe weather monitoring.

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.

Pro Tip

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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. CIRRUS (DBZH) is available with its nominal time plus a 5-minute latency. NIMBUS (RATE/ACRR) is produced on a 15-minute cycle, though input delays from national networks may occur.

Licence

EUMETNET OPERA licensing terms apply. EUMETNET members may use the composites for official duties without a separate licence; third-party research, education, official-duty, and commercial uses require the applicable licence from EUMETNET or an ECOMET member.

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.

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.

Need more help? View the full OPERA User Guide for detailed instructions.

Download OPERA radar data as GeoTIFF

You can download the currently selected DBZH, RATE, or ACRR radar frame as a georeferenced GeoTIFF for use in QGIS, ArcGIS, Python, R, and other geospatial tools. In the explorer, choose a product and timestamp, then use Download GeoTIFF in the Current frame panel.

The download covers the full OPERA composite raster rather than only the visible map area. It retains the frame’s native coordinate reference system and geotransform. Recent frames download from the operational Cloud Optimized GeoTIFF (COG), while older archive frames are generated on request from GeoZarr and may take longer. See how to download and interpret an OPERA GeoTIFF.

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.

Can I download OPERA radar data as GeoTIFF?

Yes. Select a DBZH, RATE, or ACRR frame and use Download GeoTIFF in the Current frame panel. The georeferenced file covers the full OPERA composite raster and can be opened in standard GIS and scientific software. Recent COG frames download directly; older archive frames are generated on request.

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.