What is it?

1. What is it?

2. Implementation details Programming language: ANSI/ISO C++ Self-documented sources: Doxygen (web searchable developer’s documentation) Team programming: Concurrent Version System (CVS) Continuous integration: Autobuild system (e-mailing, night build, lunch build) now BAMBOO (fancy web interface) Automated packaging: Linux & Windows installations, nightly builds for testing Problem/project tracking: JIRA – TTS portal for users and developers

3. System portability Programming language: ANSI/ISO C++ (system independent programming) gains true portability, equivalent performance 3rd party libraries: Qt (Unix/Windows GUI), STL, Boost True system portability: Windows, majority of UNIX (incl. Linux), most cost effective: Intel EM64T (Windows/Linux)

4. System’s Layered Model

5. Scalability The Visual Weather is designed to be flexible and scalable and provide portable solutions as well. The system can also run on off-the-shelf industry standard PC-based hardware. Standard operational schemes include: • Stand-alone workstation: Running on a single computer or notebook (i.e. small monolithic system) • Server and client systems: Running on server; sharing database with separate independent clients; Allows clustering – High Availability and Load Balancing • Heterogeneous environment: Multi-system mixed architecture with dedicated data distribution, LAN/WAN mixture, cross-platform interoperability

6. Generations • Software is being developed for 9 years now • Architecture changes are being natural to development process, therefore keeps it “young” for going towards future requirements 1st Generation – “Early beginnings” – simple visualization tool, with math calculations. 2nd Generation – Product customization, math, productivity oriented, client-server, turns into “Robust” system. 3rd Generation – turns robust system into “Integration platform” for other applications and modules • Re-using/integrating other applications, even in native code (such as Fortran and OSFM (UK)) • Python + PyQt for high-level forecaster’s tools/gadgets (such as interactive thermodiagram/normand-point) • Algorithm reusing (such as OSA (UK)) • Data provider (API, remote calls, WMS) to other applications (such as TDA)

7. Python scripting & Integration • PyQt performs GUI binding • There are binding in VW to access core functions (which are time-critical) as well as objects • Access to full framework – e.g. on-screen modification of thermodiagram is a Python script • Ideal for applets, diagnostic tools, advising & decision aid Provides Rapid integration & Development platform – allows to develop high-level functionality quickly and efficiently.

8. Re-using & data provider • Integrating computation methodson math-kernel level • Re-using of know-how: On Screen Analysis • Re-using of code (even Fortran): FSU Streams, COMPAC, On Screen Field Modification • Remote/local call API, batchtools, automation already in-build

9. Data Input Visual Weather has flexible capabilities for data reception and transmission (Message Switch functionality),including: • Satellite broadcast reception • Message Switching Systems • Surface observation network • Remote-sensing portable instruments • SADIS, RETIM, DWDSAT, ISCS systems • TCP/IP WMO stream protocol • Highly variable File-transfer (FTP protocol, incl. secure SFTP)

10. Database Access Layered Model • Database supports: • aging of the data & expiration • holding case studies • replaying of data • temporary/testing data (user)

11. Inter-process communication (ICOP RPC) System talks to its other components through RPC (but not SOAP or CORBA), in order to allow orchestration of all its components & background processing. Structure allows real remote calls, i.e. creatingclient-server architectureand different deploymentschemas, if needed.

12. Remote and Proxy Database

13. Mathematic Kernel Overview • Token (structure)-driven Stack Machine for strong Math • Class oriented system of computations, unit-type transparent/checks • Functions in pCode or Dynamic Libraries • Array/Grid-transparent processing • pluggable decoders • TDCF interpreter engine • scalar/vector operators • token-formatting features • micro-renderers / AnyT / XML / XSLT

14. Mathematic Kernel Example

15. User privileges

16. Graphic Painter Overview • Entirely vector-based (not a hard-copy oriented) • Full Unicode support, layout engine, font smoothing, TTF/OTF • Internal painter software based (no HW limits, non- blocking), fully 32bit RGBA, anti-aliasing, sub-pixel precision, ASM (IA32&64) • e-documents standard PDF (model 1.4), print-quality delivery

17. WMO Information Systems (WIS) • WMS (Web Map Service) – already implemented (1.1.1, 1.2, 1.3 – incl. multi-dimensions). WMS will take crucial place in UK’s production chain. Moving towards WIS, will put very soon more requirements on Visualization workstations, not just Metadata extraction from original data, but also from forecaster’s products • WCS (Web Coverage Service) – providing forecaster-modified fields • WFS (Web Feature Service) – providing depicted weather features WMS is not only about exposing data for GIS and decision making process (although being important there!), but is about WIS!

18. Depiction of Meteorological Objects Besides WMS (already implemented, test system operational), other “components” are on the way: • Field cutter to be available soon • Meteorological featuresare already availablefor sharing for integrationwith production chain;also allows collaboration,etc.

19. Message Editing Message editing is based on pre-configured message templates for automated, and semi-automated message editing. • The forecaster uses an interactive form where various input-boxes, list-boxes, and check-boxes help the forecaster to fill in the message. • Messages can contain automatically calculated data, including values from observations, binary forecasts, values interpolated from NWP. • Messages can be transmitted on demand or at scheduled times.

20. Tables & Alerts Comprehensive tables where values are automatically substituted from the selected data type (SYNOP, METAR, TEMP, BUOY, NWP models, lightning detection system, etc). • Tables can include values and graphical symbols. • Limits for parameters and places are used for monitoring and automatic issuing of alerts.

21. Detailed Geographical Data In-build geographical data with world-wide coverage, high-resolution, incl.: shorelines, countries, airports, rivers, Digital Elevation Model – allowing chart production for any area of the world. Special geographical data can be added for the detailed tactical display of map background. A ESRI shape file with vector orography can be imported from industry-standard GIS mapping software. The shape file can include information about districts, operation area, infrastructure, etc.

22. Observations Visualization of SYNOP, METAR, TEMP, BUOY data in various forms: • Station models with customizable size, look, and density • Colour status symbols • Discrete numbers placed at station position • Automatic weather icons • Objective analysis Information tooltip showing values at the selected point

23. Objective Analysis Objective analysis using Barnes or Akima method, featuring unique tools: • Model-based initialization(multi-pass differential analysis) • Median and Model-basedquality control • Manual report corrections

24. Satellite and NowCasting Data • Easy integration of satellite images into all maps and real-time reprojection to selected area. • Support of low-orbit and geo-stationary satellites, including MSG. • False colouring and RGB composites available. • Support of NowCasting data integration. Visualisation of satellite images in native formats.

25. Radar and Lightning Data • Display of information about lightning discharges from SFERICS, Vaisala, SAFIR, etc. • Multiple radar sites can be combined into a single map.

26. Forecast Model Parameters Map Editor displays parameters from forecast models decoded from GRIB and GRID messages. All models, including UKMO, ECMWF, MM5, HRM, HIRLAM, ETA, WAVE are supported. Model output visualized as: • Isolines and isosurfaces • Wind barbs or arrows • Numerical grids • Stream-lines • Trajectories

27. Model Comparisons • Parameters from various models can be mathematically combined into a single parameter. • Parameters from various models can be displayed simultaneously on the same background (different models or ensembles). Visual Weather enables to visualize various types of models:

28. Advanced Computations It also enables to create value-added maps based on user’s equations, e.g.: • Corrected model temperature by previous forecast-error; • Cross-model operations and validations; • Thermal Wind, Icing Probability, Stability Indexes , etc. Visual Weather thanks to powerful mathematical kernel provides several efficient mathematical features for decoding and computing parameters using editable equations.

29. Significant Weather Charts Significant Weather charts (SIGWX) charts are automatically generated from BUFR messages for any selected area of the world. • Certified for data from both WAFC centers Exeter and Washington. • High level charts (SWH). • Medium level charts (SWM).

30. Map Editing Generated maps can be manually edited with: • Various significant weather elements • Texts and icons Edited elements can be automatically encoded and distributes within information network to be available for other users

31. Cross-sections & Meteograms • Route- and time- cross-sections combining different type of observations, models, and objective analysis at once. • Route cross-sections can be also created by simply clicking the desired route on map.

32. Thermodiagrams Thermodiagrams can be created on the basis of TEMP, PILOT or model data. The following types are supported: • Skew-T • Stuvegrams • Tephigrams • Aerograms • Hodograms The look of coordinate system and adiabats is fully configurable. All significant stability indexes are automatically computed. Overlay of various thermodiagrams and model-based pseudo-temps

33. Output Product output can be obtained in various forms: • Regular image files in JPG, PNG, GIF, TIFF, BMP, T4 or PDF format • Web Map Service (OpenGIS WMS)allows instant integration withGIS tools • GTS image files with standard headings allowing GTS distribution • High-quality printout using vector-based processing, enabling output on large scale plotters • Batch processing/scheduler for background operation