Which radar type is better for penetrating known areas of precipitation?

The C-band radar type is particularly effective for penetrating known areas of precipitation due to its lower frequency range, which allows it to better penetrate through rain and other forms of precipitation compared to higher frequency bands. Lower frequency radars are less affected by attenuation caused by rain, meaning they can maintain their signal strength and provide clearer returns from targets that might be obscured by precipitation.

For example, C-band radars minimize the scattering effects caused by raindrops, which can distort or weaken the radar signal; this advantage enables them to accurately measure weather patterns and target positions even in adverse conditions.

In contrast, higher frequency bands, such as X-band and K-band, experience more significant attenuation in rainy conditions, which can limit their effectiveness in accurately detecting or tracking targets when precipitation is present. L-band radars, while also effective for weather detection, are less commonly used in applications focused primarily on precipitation analysis when compared to C-band. Therefore, the C-band is the optimal choice for scenarios requiring reliable penetration of known areas of precipitation.