Christmas Island Aero Rain Radar

The Learmonth radar has 360 degree unimpeded view of the area and is approximately 330 metres above sea level. Radar images can be subject to anomalous propagation of the radar signal which results in false echoes along Ningaloo Reef. Ningaloo Reef is in close proximity to the shore and follows the western coastline of North West Cape. False echoes caused by reflections off the hills in the inland Pilbara can also be observed from time to time in the south-east quadrant of the radar image out to a range of 250 km. This anomalous propagation is easily identified and is displayed as a mass of low intensity echoes constantly changing shape with no apparent direction of movement. True rain echoes normally have a consistent direction of movement from one scan to the next. Echoes within approximately five kilometres of the radar and overhead can be poorly resolved as the scanning elevation is too low. <a