What effect does increasing the radar's range have on detected scattering?

Increasing the radar's range directly affects the number of scatterers that can be detected. As the range extends, the radar beam can encompass a larger volume of the atmosphere, allowing it to sample a greater number of precipitation particles, atmospheric particles, and other objects that can scatter radar signals. This encompasses more scatterers within the radar's operational area, leading to a more comprehensive representation of the atmospheric conditions.

The increased distance allows the radar to pick up weak echoes that originate from distant particles, which might otherwise fall outside its previous scanning limits. This ability to capture more scatterers enhances the overall data quality and accuracy regarding weather detection, which is particularly crucial for weather forecasting and severe weather monitoring.

This principle is fundamental to radar meteorology, as the range and resolution of radar systems are critical for ensuring that meteorologists gather adequate and accurate data for analysis.