Observatory Beach (Surf Spot) Rain Radar

The Esperance Radar, which has its antenna mounted on 10 metre tower, thus providing coverage from 40 metres above sea level (M.O. at 30 metres ASL), has an unrestricted 360 degree view with no permanent echoes. Some anomalous propagation (AP) may occur within 20 kilometres of the radar site and provides a radar image of echoes appearing to dance around the station. When very hot conditions combined with northerly winds exist, speckled AP may be observed. During early mornings, in conditions of very low temperature, areas of AP may also appear, mainly to the east of station. The radar has an effective range beyond 250 kilometres and therefore thunderstorms can be seen further out than Norseman and Balladonia and approaching cold fronts from the south-west may be observed as they pass through Bremer Bay. Heavy rain directly over the radar site can cause attenuation of all signals. Path attenuation can also occur when the radar beam passes through intense rainfall, with the returned signals from cells further along that path reduced. <a