What is a crucial consideration regarding the hazards of using NEXRAD weather radar imagery for storm penetration?

Choosing the answer regarding the hazards of using NEXRAD weather radar imagery emphasizes the importance of understanding the time lag inherent in radar data. The correct answer highlights that NEXRAD imagery can show weather conditions that may represent conditions that existed up to 15 or 20 minutes in the past. This time lag occurs due to the time it takes for radar signals to travel to the precipitation and back, as well as processing times.

Recognizing this delay is crucial for pilots and other users of NEXRAD data because it can significantly impact decision-making, especially in emergency or rapidly changing weather situations. For instance, if a pilot is attempting to navigate a storm, relying on weather imagery that is outdated by several minutes could lead to incorrect assumptions about the storm's current intensity and movement, possibly resulting in dangerous flight conditions.

The other options present misleading interpretations of the capabilities of NEXRAD. While the first option mentions a 10-minute age, it underestimates the potential lag; the correct interpretation includes a broader time frame. The notion that the imagery is always real-time is incorrect, as NEXRAD data is inherently a snapshot of conditions that have already occurred. Lastly, indicating that the displayed information only shows storm intensity ignores the multifaceted nature of N