RadarScope

Open the app and tap the site selector icon (often a tower symbol) to browse available radar sites near your location. You can then pick a specific site, like Wilmington or Indianapolis, to see its detailed radar data instead of relying on a broad regional view.

Composite reflectivity shows the highest intensity of precipitation in a column of air, helping you see the overall storm structure. Storm relative velocity displays wind movement relative to the storm, which can indicate rotation and potential tornado threats. These are advanced tools best learned through YouTube tutorials or the app's help guide.

RadarScope uses real-time, high-resolution data and constant GPS updates, which are power-intensive. To reduce battery drain, lower your screen brightness, close other apps, and limit continuous use to 15-20 minutes during severe weather.

Tap the settings menu and look for 'Alerts' or 'Notifications' to configure custom alerts for specific storm criteria like rotation or lightning. For loops, use the play button on the radar timeline to create an animation, then adjust the speed and frame range in the loop settings.

RadarScope provides faster, more accurate real-time radar data and advanced features like storm rotation detection, which free apps often lack. However, it has a steeper learning curve and requires a subscription for high-res data and lightning, while free apps are simpler for everyday use.