What influences the limitations of radar range?

The limitations of radar range are significantly influenced by sea state and weather conditions. Radar systems rely on the reflection of radio waves off objects to detect their presence and determine their distance. In adverse weather conditions, such as heavy rain, fog, or snow, these radar signals can be absorbed or scattered, which reduces the effective range at which objects can be detected. Additionally, rough sea states can create significant interference as waves can distort the radar signals, further limiting detection capabilities.

While the type of radar system in use can affect performance, it is not as pivotal in determining range limitations under variable sea and weather conditions. Similarly, the size of the vessel and the operating speed may have some impact on radar performance, but they are not primary factors when it comes to the basic limitations imposed by the environment in which the radar operates. Thus, sea state and weather conditions remain the most influential variables when considering the effective range of radar systems.