A reflectivity image shows the location where rain, snow, or other precipitation is falling and how intensely.
Meteorologists read a corresponding color key to interpret the reflectivity image.
Different colors indicate different intensities of the precipitation. Velocity images reveal the speed and direction of winds. Again, meteorologists use a color key to interpret the velocity image. Then, the color key is used to determine the speed of the winds. A storm total image shows how much total precipitation has fallen.