PrecipTimer®

PrecipTimer® is available in the continental US. Some Canadian locations located within the footprint of US radar data may be able to access PrecipTimer®.

The onset and ending times of precipitation can be automatically determined and displayed for each location you have created. The precipitation onset and ending times are calculated based on patent-pending algorithms developed by Telvent and are calculated up to three hours in advance.

Note:

PrecipTimer® uses real-time radar and recent precipitation motion to predict when precipitation will start or end at an asset location. PrecipTimer® uses the exact latitude and longitude of each monitored location to make its calculations, it is updated with every new image of radar information. Because of this, current observations shown on the Dashboard or in the local forecasts (which may be up to one hour old) do not always reflect the same conditions as PrecipTimer®.

In addition, observed conditions data will be for the surface observation site closest to your asset location, while PrecipTimer® uses the exact latitude and longitude of your location for monitoring and does not rely on a reporting site.

 

The PrecipTimer® located on the Dashboard is available for all of your continental US locations. Simply select the location you wish to view from the Choose a Location drop down menu. The Change Settings link allows you to set your thresholds. The same thresholds are used for all of your locations when viewed on the Dashboard as well as those sites selected for additional Location Monitoring.

The PrecipTimer® is divided into 3 sections.

PrecipTimer

Status

The colored square indicates the status.

All Clear

No precipitation is occurring or approaching within your set Early Warning Lead Time (30 minutes to 3 hours).

Caution

Precipitation is approaching but not during your set Early Warning Lead Time. Or precipitation is occurring but below your set Intensity Threshold.
Note: If you use the default settings of light intensity and 3 hour lead time, then you will not see a yellow condition.

Warning

Precipitation is predicted to reach your location within your set Early Warning Lead Time. Or precipitation is occurring at or above your set Intensity Threshold.
Note: Select the Light or greater option to be notified of all approaching precipitation.

Onset

Onset

This section indicates the precipitation type at the onset of the event. Also included is either the estimated start time for that precipitation or a statement that the precipitation is already in the area. The expected intensity of the precipitation may also be noted.
Note: If a mixture of precipitation types is approaching, the type in the corridor closest to the location is the type that will be displayed in the onset. For example, if rain followed by snow is approaching, rain will be the type indicated.

Conclusion

Conclusion

This section indicates the type of precipitation expected at the conclusion of the event and if less than three hours, an estimation of when the event will end.
Note: If a mix is in progress, the type displayed in the conclusion will be the type at the back edge of the precipitation area. For example, if rain arrives first but changes to snow before ending, snow will be indicated with the ending time.

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