A system and method for presenting an image of terrain threats are disclosed. Substantially transparent terrain symbols (color or monochrome) are depicted where each symbol is representative of a level of threat. Terrain symbols may overlay a weather image without a loss in information. A system is disclosed which comprises a navigation system, a terrain database, an image processor, and an indicating system. The navigation system acquires navigation data representative of aircraft position and direction; the database stores data of a plurality of cells; and the indicating system receives image data and presents symbols representative of the terrain image. The image processor receives navigation data defines a range of elevations of threat levels based upon the aircraft altitude, receives terrain data from the terrain database, determines the terrain threat of each cell, and provides an image representing the threat level and locations to the display.