
178 RADAR AND ARPA MANUAL
These conditions, to a greater or lesser extent, may be
encountered virtually anywhere but are most likely in
the polar regions, the Grand Banks (especially in the
Gulf Stream with northerly winds), east of Japan in
winter, and in the Mediterranean in winter.
Sub-refraction is generally associated with bad
weather conditions, i.e. with low pressure systems,
which is typically the time when radar is most likely to
be needed.
3.8.3 Super-refraction
3.8.3A
The
effects
of
super-refraction
on
detection ranges
(Figure
3.51)
Super-refraction occurs when the rate of decrease in
refractive index with height is greater tha