Abstract: Disclosed is a method and apparatus for adjusting the gain in a weather radar receiver to correct for precipitation induced transmission path attenuation. The receiver gain is controlled in a known manner to accommodate known path transmission effects. The gain controlling apparatus comprises fixed and variable AC resistances, where the variable AC resistance is an attenuator diode driven by a varying current source. The variable current source provides an approximation to a hyperbolically decreasing current when no video returns or echoes are present. However, upon sensing the existence of a video return indicative of rain at a moderate intensity, a portion of the charge on the RC networks in the current generator is shunted to ground, increasing the rate of change of current provided by the current source. This modification of the attenuator substantially reduces attenuation-induced receiver errors present within the sensitivity time control (STC) interval.