Abstract: An airborne weather radar system is coupled to a display on an aircraft and a radar antenna attached to the aircraft. The airborne weather radar system includes a processing system for receiving weather radar returns from the radar antenna. The radar returns resulting from radar signals are transmitted from the radar antenna. The processing system is configured to compress radar data representing graphical images actually provided on the display on the aircraft. The graphical images are provided in response to the weather radar returns. The radar data is compressed to provide compressed data. The compressed data has reduced spatial resolution when compared to the radar data, wherein the processing system is disposed on the aircraft.

Abstract: A method of compressing data in a weather radar system utilizes a compression system. Weather radar data associated with graphical images provided on a weather radar display is compressed for downloads or downlinks from the airplane or storage on the airplane. The weather radar data can be compressed from any part of the process. In one embodiment, spatial resolution of the data is decreased while data resolution is increased.

Abstract: A method of displaying areas of turbulent weather is disclosed. Data is processed representative of weather conditions within a predefined area. Weather conditions are displayed on a display. Turbulence is detected within the predefined area. A level of the detected turbulence is detected. First graphical elements are superimposed upon the display of weather conditions when the level of the detected turbulence is less than a predetermined amount. A second graphical element is displayed upon the display of weather conditions when the level of the detected turbulence is more than the predetermined amount.