The bright band — a phenomenon associated with radar echoes from falling rain

Frontal rain when illuminated by radar transmission gives rise to echoes which exhibit a characteristic layer of greater intensity near to the freezing level. Observations which establish the height of this layer or “bright band,” relative to that of the freezing level, are described. Measurements of the terminal velocities of snowflakes of known mass, a factor of importance in support of a possible explanation of the phenomenon, are also given.