Why did onboard weather radar fail to detect the storm clouds causing turbulence?

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Onboard Weather Radar's Inconclusive Detection of Storm Clouds

A Singapore Transport Safety Investigation Bureau report indicated that storm clouds, believed to be the cause of severe turbulence on a Singapore Airlines flight, were likely not detected by the aircraft's onboard weather radar. The investigation could not definitively conclude whether a technical issue with the weather radar system itself was responsible for this failure in detection.
Radar System Limitations and Atmospheric Conditions

Onboard weather radar systems function by emitting radio waves that bounce off precipitation within clouds, providing pilots with a visual representation of potential storm activity. However, these systems have inherent limitations. They are primarily designed to detect water droplets and ice crystals, which are common in convective storms. Certain atmospheric conditions or specific types of storm formations, such as those with less dense precipitation or unusual updraft/downdraft patterns, might present challenges for standard radar detection. The precise nature of the storm clouds encountered by Flight SQ321 remains a key factor in understanding why they may have eluded detection.
Technical Functionality of Weather Radar

The technical operation of an aircraft's weather radar involves transmitting pulses and analyzing the reflected signals. The strength and pattern of these reflections indicate the intensity of precipitation. While generally reliable, the technology is susceptible to factors such as the radar's operational frequency, antenna performance, and the processing algorithms used to interpret the returned signals. A potential technical issue could range from a malfunction in the transmitter or receiver to a problem with the antenna's ability to accurately scan the atmosphere.
Ambiguity Regarding Radar System Integrity

The investigation's finding of inconclusiveness regarding a technical issue with the radar system highlights the complexity of such incidents. It suggests that even if the radar system were functioning within its expected parameters, the specific characteristics of the storm clouds might have rendered them difficult to identify. Conversely, a subtle technical anomaly, not immediately apparent as a complete failure, could also have contributed to the lack of detection. Without further specific data on the radar's performance logs or a clear indication of hardware or software malfunction, definitively attributing the failure solely to a technical fault remains unconfirmed.

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Why did onboard weather radar fail to detect the storm clouds causing turbulence?

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