What features does XM satellite weather display on the MFD Cirrus Perspective by Garmin?
Key XM Satellite Weather Features Include
- Next Generation Radar and radar coverage area
- XM lightning
- Cell Movement
- Cloud Top
- Echo Top
- SIGMETs/AIRMETs
- Freezing Levels
- Winds Aloft
- Temporary Flight Restrictions (TFRs)
- Meteorological Aerodrome Reports
- Terminal Aerodrome Reports (TAFs)
- Surface Analysis
- City Forecast
- County Warnings
- Cyclone Warnings
NEXRAD or Next Generation Radar, is a network of 158 high-resolution Doppler radar systems operated by the National Weather Service. NEXRAD provides centralized meteorological information for the continental United States and selected overseas locations.
The NEXRAD data is not real-time. The lapsed time between collection, processing, and dissemination of radar images can be significant and may not reflect current conditions. The maximum range of a single NEXRAD radar site is 250 nm. A radar site cannot image weather directly above the site and other limitations apply.
XM lightning and the optional L-3 Stormscope WX-500 lightning are mutually exclusive. XM lightning data only shows the approximate location of cloud-to-ground lightening strikes. A strike icon represents a strike that has occurred within a two-kilometer area. The exact location of the lightening strike is not displayed. An inset box on the right side of the MFD displays the age in minutes of the XM lightening data.
In contrast, WX-500 Stormscope captures cloud-to-cloud, Intra-cloud and cloud to ground electrical activity every 2 seconds for a range of 200 nm.
When available, cell movement and location data are displayed on the MFD. An inset box on the right side of the MFD provides the age in minutes of cell movement data and bearing.
Echo tops data display the location, elevation and direction of the highest radar echo. The highest radar echo does not indicate the top of clouds or a storm. Echo top data indicates the highest altitude at which precipitation is detected. The information is derived from NEXRAD data.
Cloud top data depicts cloud top altitudes based on satellite imagery. Cloud tops and echo tops cannot be displayed on the MFD at the same time.
Caution: “XM Satellite Weather data provides information for avoiding hazardous weather. Do not utilize XM Weather information to penetrate hazardous weather.”
MFD display of aging weather information does not indicate the lapse time from National Weather Service data. It is a lapse time of an update from XM Satellite Radio. And, published XM Satellite Radio refresh rates do not represent the rate at which actual weather is updated or new content is available. Weather data is updated at intervals that are defined and controlled by XM Satellite Radio and its data vendors.
XM satellite weather on the Cirrus Perspective MFD provides you with the large weather picture and important local weather information in an easy to access format. More information on these products can be found in the Garmin Pilot Guide for the Cirrus SR22.
Source: Cirrus Perspective by Garmin – Pilot’s Guide for the SR22, June 2008
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