Radar Summary Charts are a collection of automated radar weather reports (SDs, or ROBs) that display areas of precipitation as well as information about type, intensity, configuration, coverage, echo top, and cell movement of precipitation. Severe weather watches are plotted if they are in effect when the chart is valid. It is available hourly with a valid time 35 minutes past each hour.

This chart aids in preflight planning by identifying general areas and movement of precipitation and/or thunderstorms. It displays drops or ice particles of precipitation size only—it does not display clouds and fog. Therefore, since the absence of echoes does not guarantee clear weather, and cloud tops will most likely be higher than the tops of the precipitation echoes detected by radar, the radar summary chart must be used in conjunction with other charts, reports, and forecasts for best effectiveness.