Final answer:
Weather radar does not reliably detect hail due to its size, penetrable surface, faulty pulse transmission by the radar, and pilot error in reading radar transmissions.
Step-by-step explanation:
Weather radar does not reliably detect hail due to several factors:
- The size of hail: Hailstones can vary in size, ranging from small pea-sized to large grapefruit-sized. Radar waves may not be able to detect small hailstones accurately.
- Its penetrable surface: Hailstones are made up of layers of ice, and the outer surface may not reflect radar waves back to the receiver. This makes it difficult for radar to accurately detect hail.
- Faulty pulse transmission by the radar: Radar systems can sometimes experience technical issues, resulting in inaccurate readings. This can affect the detection of hail as well.
- Pilot error in reading radar transmissions: In some cases, human error or misinterpretation of radar data by pilots can lead to unreliable detection of hail.