What's New With First Alert Doppler 6000?

Live Radar is a new view of our interactive radar that shows data from our proprietary network, ensuring you're seeing the most accurate information

After investing in the best radar technology to make sure our forecast is the most accurate, we've upgraded the technology on our web site and iOS app to make it easy for you to find the information you need.

Live Radar is a new view of our interactive radar that shows data from our proprietary network, ensuring you're seeing the most accurate information.

1. How can I access the Live Radar?

You can access the Live Radar in our iOS app or the weather section on our desktop and mobile sites.

On the iOS app:

  • Make sure you have the most recent version of the app installed. If the below instructions don't work, visit the app store and update the app
  • If weather is NOT set as the homepage, navigate to the weather page by tapping on the weather icon and temperature in the top right of the app header
  • Tap your finger on the white circle with four arrows to expand the interactive radar
  • New app users, or users who did not set a default layer on the old version of the app, will see Live Radar right away
  • Existing users who set a default layer on the Interactive Radar will need to choose the Live Radar layer. In the top right corner of the radar map, click on the layers icon, which looks like 3 sheets of paper stacked on top of one another, and select Live Radar

On mobile web:

  • Open a browser and navigate to the station’s weather page
  • At the top of the page, you will see the interactive radar view
  • Live Radar is the default radar in the “layers” menu (the icon at the bottom right that looks like 3 sheets of paper stacked on top of one another)
  • To change layers, click on icon at the bottom right that looks like three sheets of paper stacked on top of one another, select your desired layer, then click "close"

On desktop:

  • Click here to go to the weather page
  • On the right, you will see the interactive radar view
  • Live Radar is the default radar in the “layers” menu (the icon at the bottom right that looks like 3 sheets of paper stacked on top of one another)
  • To change layers, click on icon at the bottom right that looks like three sheets of paper stacked on top of one another, select your desired layer, then click "close" 


2. What are the blue icons on the radar screen?

The blue icons indicate local, fixed Doppler radars. Black icons indicate StormRangers, NBC's exclusive mobile Doppler radars.


3. When will I see the sweep from my local radar?

Zoom in so that the entire area in view is within the radar area. The sweep has a defined range, so, if you have zoomed out too far the sweep will disappear. When this happens, you’ll notice that the radar header at the top of the screen changes.


4.      When will I see the sweep from my local radar?

 â€śLive Radar” must be selected in the map layers menu. It is the default layer, but if you have previously selected another layer outside of the default, you will have to manually select this layer. When looking at the map, you’ll need to zoom in so that the entire area in view is within the radar area. The sweep has a defined range, so, if you have zoomed out too far the sweep will disappear, and you will start to get data from NWS rather than local station’s radar. When this happens, you’ll notice that the radar header at the top of the screen changes.


5.      Why doesn’t the data from my local radar match the NWS radar data?

 The timing of the radars is different. The National Radar updates every five minutes while the local radar is updating every 1-2 minutes.

The National Radar and local radars might have different intensity settings. Very light precipitation could show up on the National Radar but not the local radar.

Sometimes the National Radar will detect precipitation that is missed by the local radar because the local radar beam can't penetrate through a storm to see a second storm directly behind it, but the National composite made of many different radars can see all the way around a storm.

The local radars tend to be more sensitive than the National Mosaic, so they often will pick up precipitation echos that the National Radar misses. That is why it is a better radar for the local area.

The National Radar is a composite of many different NWS radar units, but it still does not have 100% coverage around the country. It is possible that a local radar unit can cover an area that is not covered by the National Radar (most applicable to the truck units, and not a problem for Chicago).

The local radar is also more prone to pick up debris and other non-precipitation artifacts like birds, insects, smoke, sunspotting, etc. There are advanced filters applied to the National Radar to remove non-precipitation artifacts that are detected


6.      When will the Radar icons appear on the map?

 They will only appear when the radar is online. If the radar is offline, nothing will display.


7.    How do I ensure the StormRanger shows up on the map? Do I need to file a ticket in order for the StormRanger to show up on my site or app?

 Stations do not need to do anything to make the radar show up. TWC will detect that the truck is online and radiating. As a result, the icon and corresponding sweep and output will appear. It will display across all the platforms (Desktop, mobile web, iOS & Android).


8.      When a radar is turned on, how long should it take for me to see it on the map?

 6 minutes is the worst case scenario, but it should average 3 minutes. This is the minimum time it requires to update all the systems and finish up end-to-end data flow.


9.      When a radar is turned off, how long should it take for it to disappear from the map?

 7.5 minutes is the worst case, but it should average 5 minutes. This is the minimum time it requires to update all the systems and finish up end-to-end data flow.


10.      When I zoom down to my street level, why don’t I see the radar icon?

 In order to protect our crew and exact radar location we have implemented this feature where it takes it off the map at certain zoom level.


11.      If the user has selected “Live Radar” and the local radar is down, will it show data from NWS radar or it will be blank?

 It will show data from NWS radar and top left label will reflect the same.


12.      If my station has multiple radars (Fixed + Storm Ranger), which radar will be active for the user and how will user know?

 The device will determine the user’s location and will intelligently pin you to the closest and most accurate radar. Whichever radar is selected, its name will be reflected in top left corner so user is aware. The user can click on different radar icon at anytime and make that active.


13.  How can I see network on NBC Radars?

 Zoom out to view the entire US map, and you will be able to see all radars in the NBC Radar Network. You can click on any radar and you will be zoomed into that region.

Contact Us