12-14 July 2005 – 1 st NWS Svr Wx Warning Technology User MeetingGreg Stumpf – CIMMS/MDL A Four-Dimensional Radar Analysis Tool For AWIPS: The “FSI” 1 CIMMS / University of Oklahoma 2 NWS Meteorological Development Laboratory 3 National Severe Storms Laboratory 4 Forecast Systems Laboratory 5 NWS Systems Engineering Center 1 CIMMS / University of Oklahoma 2 NWS Meteorological Development Laboratory 3 National Severe Storms Laboratory 4 Forecast Systems Laboratory 5 NWS Systems Engineering Center Gregory J. Stumpf 1,2 M. Thomas Filiaggi 2 V. Lakshmanan 1,3 William F. Roberts 4 Michael J. Istok 5 Stephan B. Smith 2 Gregory J. Stumpf 1,2 M. Thomas Filiaggi 2 V. Lakshmanan 1,3 William F. Roberts 4 Michael J. Istok 5 Stephan B. Smith 2

12-14 July 2005 – 1 st NWS Svr Wx Warning Technology User MeetingGreg Stumpf – CIMMS/MDL To increase warning skill and lead time, and therefore improve public service 3D/4D visualization should allow forecasters to discover new clues and signatures useful in diagnosis of severe and tornadic storms The FSI project is a multi-agency collaboration NWS: MDL, SEC OAR: NSSL, FSL CIMMS / University of Oklahoma To increase warning skill and lead time, and therefore improve public service 3D/4D visualization should allow forecasters to discover new clues and signatures useful in diagnosis of severe and tornadic storms The FSI project is a multi-agency collaboration NWS: MDL, SEC OAR: NSSL, FSL CIMMS / University of Oklahoma Four-Dimensional Stormcell Investigator (FSI)

12-14 July 2005 – 1 st NWS Svr Wx Warning Technology User MeetingGreg Stumpf – CIMMS/MDL Why three (and four) dimensions? Because the atmosphere is four-dimensional! Storm researchers have used 3D/4D displays for years to facilitate their understanding of signatures related to severe weather. How can operational forecasters utilize 3D/4D visualization in an effective, and rapid manner? Because the atmosphere is four-dimensional! Storm researchers have used 3D/4D displays for years to facilitate their understanding of signatures related to severe weather. How can operational forecasters utilize 3D/4D visualization in an effective, and rapid manner?

12-14 July 2005 – 1 st NWS Svr Wx Warning Technology User MeetingGreg Stumpf – CIMMS/MDL The Lemon Technique (1977) Original storm structure analysis methods presented using vertical cross-sections (RHIs) RHIs are not possible with WSR-88D Original storm structure analysis methods presented using vertical cross-sections (RHIs) RHIs are not possible with WSR-88D

12-14 July 2005 – 1 st NWS Svr Wx Warning Technology User MeetingGreg Stumpf – CIMMS/MDL AWIPS users must infer vertical storm structure using 2D representations of radar data. All Tilts: a series of 2D “horizontal” cross-sections But PPIs are not horizontal – elevation angles are slanted. Vertical Cross-sections Not very easy to use Only complete during short period at end of volume scan Not dynamic (must re-draw to get new cross-section) Warning decision making demands quick and rapid assessment of the 3D structure of storms. AWIPS users must infer vertical storm structure using 2D representations of radar data. All Tilts: a series of 2D “horizontal” cross-sections But PPIs are not horizontal – elevation angles are slanted. Vertical Cross-sections Not very easy to use Only complete during short period at end of volume scan Not dynamic (must re-draw to get new cross-section) Warning decision making demands quick and rapid assessment of the 3D structure of storms. AWIPS 3D storm interrogation shortcomings

12-14 July 2005 – 1 st NWS Svr Wx Warning Technology User MeetingGreg Stumpf – CIMMS/MDL D3D was designed to display gridded data (e.g., numerical model output) in three-dimensions Was based on Viz5D technology Viz5D could not display radar data in its native spherical coordinate system. Radar data had to be re-mapped to Cartesian space Lose important information in radial velocity fields D3D was designed to display gridded data (e.g., numerical model output) in three-dimensions Was based on Viz5D technology Viz5D could not display radar data in its native spherical coordinate system. Radar data had to be re-mapped to Cartesian space Lose important information in radial velocity fields Potential solution: Display Three-Dimensions (D3D)

12-14 July 2005 – 1 st NWS Svr Wx Warning Technology User MeetingGreg Stumpf – CIMMS/MDL Potential solution: Four-Dimensional Stormcell Investigator (FSI) Integrate National Severe Storms Laboratory (NSSL) Warning Decision Support System – Integrated Information (WDSSII) 3D/4D display technology into AWIPS Uses Open GL hardware acceleration on standard video graphics cards (think: video gaming) The WDSSII technology is already mature enough and would require little additional resources to be easily incorporated into AWIPS. FSI will be an extension to D2D Integrate National Severe Storms Laboratory (NSSL) Warning Decision Support System – Integrated Information (WDSSII) 3D/4D display technology into AWIPS Uses Open GL hardware acceleration on standard video graphics cards (think: video gaming) The WDSSII technology is already mature enough and would require little additional resources to be easily incorporated into AWIPS. FSI will be an extension to D2D

12-14 July 2005 – 1 st NWS Svr Wx Warning Technology User MeetingGreg Stumpf – CIMMS/MDL FSI Prototype Requirements Provide for quick and easy access to the data (15-30 seconds per storm) Provide linkages between 2D representations and 3D data Still difficult for users to overcome tendency to view in traditional 2D manner Radar data must be “native” 8-bit resolution polar grids Z, V, SRM, SW 4D: Animation while slicing and dicing GUI should have similar look and feel to D2D Keyboard shortcuts Processes must cause minimal impact to AWIPS system resources Provide for quick and easy access to the data (15-30 seconds per storm) Provide linkages between 2D representations and 3D data Still difficult for users to overcome tendency to view in traditional 2D manner Radar data must be “native” 8-bit resolution polar grids Z, V, SRM, SW 4D: Animation while slicing and dicing GUI should have similar look and feel to D2D Keyboard shortcuts Processes must cause minimal impact to AWIPS system resources

12-14 July 2005 – 1 st NWS Svr Wx Warning Technology User MeetingGreg Stumpf – CIMMS/MDL FSI Prototype design WDSSII GUI (wg) Earth-centric coordinates (earth center is origin) Open GL hardware acceleration Radar data represented by 2D textures u Elevation PPI data on conical surfaces u Vertical and horizontal Xsections on 2D planes 2D textures represented in 3D space Zoom, pan, pitch, and yaw u “Fly” around and through 3D data WDSSII GUI (wg) Earth-centric coordinates (earth center is origin) Open GL hardware acceleration Radar data represented by 2D textures u Elevation PPI data on conical surfaces u Vertical and horizontal Xsections on 2D planes 2D textures represented in 3D space Zoom, pan, pitch, and yaw u “Fly” around and through 3D data

12-14 July 2005 – 1 st NWS Svr Wx Warning Technology User MeetingGreg Stumpf – CIMMS/MDL Earth-Relative Coordinates Data are plotted using earth center as domain origin All data plotted at lat/lon/ht-MSL Continuous pan and zoom Data are plotted using earth center as domain origin All data plotted at lat/lon/ht-MSL Continuous pan and zoom

12-14 July 2005 – 1 st NWS Svr Wx Warning Technology User MeetingGreg Stumpf – CIMMS/MDL Earth-Relative Coordinates PPI data shows as 2D textures on conical surfaces Can “fly through” data PPI data shows as 2D textures on conical surfaces Can “fly through” data

12-14 July 2005 – 1 st NWS Svr Wx Warning Technology User MeetingGreg Stumpf – CIMMS/MDL Vertical Cross- Sections Click, draw, and drag concept similar to legacy WDSS and WATADS Vertical 2D texture is drawn with PPI textures Can fly around both textures in 3D space Vertical data accurately represented in 3D space 1:1 aspect ratio 1  beamwidth also represented in the vertical Virtual Volume: Cross sections always have full volume of data. Click, draw, and drag concept similar to legacy WDSS and WATADS Vertical 2D texture is drawn with PPI textures Can fly around both textures in 3D space Vertical data accurately represented in 3D space 1:1 aspect ratio 1  beamwidth also represented in the vertical Virtual Volume: Cross sections always have full volume of data.

12-14 July 2005 – 1 st NWS Svr Wx Warning Technology User MeetingGreg Stumpf – CIMMS/MDL Dynamic Cross- Sections Can update X-Section line, either by Dragging entire line Resetting endpoints 2D and 3D pictures are linked Other representations update on-the-fly Can update X-Section line, either by Dragging entire line Resetting endpoints 2D and 3D pictures are linked Other representations update on-the-fly The Lemon Technique

12-14 July 2005 – 1 st NWS Svr Wx Warning Technology User MeetingGreg Stumpf – CIMMS/MDL FSI Configuration PPI: Plan Position Indicator VDX: Vertical Dynamic X-Section PPI: Plan Position Indicator VDX: Vertical Dynamic X-Section CAPPI: Constant Altitude PPI 3D Flier: Three- Dimensio nal Flier Initial prototype will have a fixed 4-panel design:

12-14 July 2005 – 1 st NWS Svr Wx Warning Technology User MeetingGreg Stumpf – CIMMS/MDL Implementation in AWIPS wgNotify: Persistent server process to update a Radar Linear Buffer for the FSI client wgLaunch: Click storm cell on D2D or SCAN Table to launch FSI Display Will provide a Control Linear Buffer: u Location (lat/lon) u Time u Radar source u Map Info wgNotify: Persistent server process to update a Radar Linear Buffer for the FSI client wgLaunch: Click storm cell on D2D or SCAN Table to launch FSI Display Will provide a Control Linear Buffer: u Location (lat/lon) u Time u Radar source u Map Info

12-14 July 2005 – 1 st NWS Svr Wx Warning Technology User MeetingGreg Stumpf – CIMMS/MDL Warning Decision Training Through various real-time tests of D3D and WDSSII, it has become generally known that some forecasters weren’t “ready” for 3D analysis. Why? Very few forecasters have been exposed to 3D analysis in the classroom. Therefore, concurrent with design, test, and deployment of 3D radar tool must be a ramping up of 3D analysis training at WDTB. Knobology is important, but the understanding of storm signatures in 3D representations is key. Through various real-time tests of D3D and WDSSII, it has become generally known that some forecasters weren’t “ready” for 3D analysis. Why? Very few forecasters have been exposed to 3D analysis in the classroom. Therefore, concurrent with design, test, and deployment of 3D radar tool must be a ramping up of 3D analysis training at WDTB. Knobology is important, but the understanding of storm signatures in 3D representations is key.

12-14 July 2005 – 1 st NWS Svr Wx Warning Technology User MeetingGreg Stumpf – CIMMS/MDL Operational Implementation Alpha Version = AWIPS OB7 (Spring ’06) ???? Future versions: Isosurfaces, storm-relative animation Experimental warning testbed (several WFOs nationwide) Development and implementation of application will be concurrent with development of WDTB training Alpha Version = AWIPS OB7 (Spring ’06) ???? Future versions: Isosurfaces, storm-relative animation Experimental warning testbed (several WFOs nationwide) Development and implementation of application will be concurrent with development of WDTB training

12-14 July 2005 – 1 st NWS Svr Wx Warning Technology User MeetingGreg Stumpf – CIMMS/MDL Questions? NWS Meteorological Development Laboratory Decision Assistance Branch NWS Meteorological Development Laboratory Decision Assistance Branch