Radar measures rainfall and the radial component of the wind over large areas in real-time.
Furthermore, because it sees echo movement, it is also very useful for short term precipitation prediction. All the uses of radar data hence take advantage of one or several of these capabilities. It has hence limited applications for the usual longer term weather forecasts, but proves extremely useful to issue warnings when severe weather develops rapidly in the vincinity. In fact, if a severe thunderstorm warning is issued in your area, it is generally because it has been detected and tracked by radar. Short-term forecasts for aviation.