Greg Stumpf – CIMMS/NWS/MDL10 July nd SvrWXTech Workshop CIMMS / University of Oklahoma NWS Meteorological Development Laboratory Decision Assistance Branch Location: National Severe Storms Laboratory, Norman, OK CIMMS / University of Oklahoma NWS Meteorological Development Laboratory Decision Assistance Branch Location: National Severe Storms Laboratory, Norman, OK Gregory J. Stumpf Four-dimensional Stormcell Investigator (FSI): OB8.2, here it comes!

Greg Stumpf – CIMMS/NWS/MDL10 July nd SvrWXTech Workshop To increase warning skill and lead time, and therefore improve public service, 3D/4D visualization will allow forecasters to better analyze the signatures which are useful in diagnosis of severe and tornadic storms. discover new clues and signatures not easily observed using traditional 2D analysis methods. To increase warning skill and lead time, and therefore improve public service, 3D/4D visualization will allow forecasters to better analyze the signatures which are useful in diagnosis of severe and tornadic storms. discover new clues and signatures not easily observed using traditional 2D analysis methods. Four-Dimensional Stormcell Investigator (FSI)

Greg Stumpf – CIMMS/NWS/MDL10 July nd SvrWXTech Workshop 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?

Greg Stumpf – CIMMS/NWS/MDL10 July nd SvrWXTech Workshop The Lemon Technique (1977) Original storm structure analysis methods infer vertical structure from horizontal slices at different elevation angles

Greg Stumpf – CIMMS/NWS/MDL10 July nd SvrWXTech Workshop AWIPS users must infer vertical storm structure using 2D representations of radar data. All Tilts or 4-panels: a series of 2D “horizontal” cross-sections But PPIs are not horizontal – elevation angles are slanted. AWIPS Vertical Cross-sections (OB7.1) Not easy to use Only complete during short period at end of volume scan Data are remapped to Cartesian space 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 or 4-panels: a series of 2D “horizontal” cross-sections But PPIs are not horizontal – elevation angles are slanted. AWIPS Vertical Cross-sections (OB7.1) Not easy to use Only complete during short period at end of volume scan Data are remapped to Cartesian space 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

Greg Stumpf – CIMMS/NWS/MDL10 July nd SvrWXTech Workshop 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 the NVIDIA 3D graphics card on the new LX workstation FSI will be launched via a D2D extension. Once extension is loaded, mouse click will open FSI application centered on storm of interest 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 the NVIDIA 3D graphics card on the new LX workstation FSI will be launched via a D2D extension. Once extension is loaded, mouse click will open FSI application centered on storm of interest

Greg Stumpf – CIMMS/NWS/MDL10 July nd SvrWXTech Workshop 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 Keyboard shortcuts Processes must be stable and 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 Keyboard shortcuts Processes must be stable and cause minimal impact to AWIPS system resources

Greg Stumpf – CIMMS/NWS/MDL10 July nd SvrWXTech Workshop 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- Dimensional Flier FSIalpha will have a linked 4-panel design:

Greg Stumpf – CIMMS/NWS/MDL10 July nd SvrWXTech Workshop Summary of Benefits of FSI Improved vertical cross-sections Dynamic placement and re-position of a cross-section reference line showing real-time updates to the cross-section data. Cross-sections are no longer a one-time requested RPG product, and are instead generated on-the-fly using 8-bit data. Constant Altitude cross-sections (CAPPIs) 8-bit radar data plotted at constant altitude eliminates the need to sample elevation scan data for altitude or reset elevation angle choices in four-panel displays. Cross-section control is also dynamic, showing real- time updates to the cross-section data. 3D visualization 8-bit radar data from elevation scans, vertical cross-sections, and CAPPIs are plotted as 2D textures in 3D space. A forecaster can then zoom, pan, pitch, yaw, and fly about the data in 3D. Virtual Volumes No volume scan is incomplete. As new elevation scans are updated, they replace the old elevation scans in the virtual volume one-by-one. This means that there are full volumes of data available at all times for cross-sections and data perusal. Access to a much larger data inventory An “All-Tilts” product only allows the forecaster to peruse a sequential order of elevation scan frames. For a 64 frame limit in VCP12, that only comprises 5 volume scans. The FSI allows the user to access any elevation scan in the radar data inventory RPS list, for up 2 hours of 8-bit data for all elevation scans. Improved vertical cross-sections Dynamic placement and re-position of a cross-section reference line showing real-time updates to the cross-section data. Cross-sections are no longer a one-time requested RPG product, and are instead generated on-the-fly using 8-bit data. Constant Altitude cross-sections (CAPPIs) 8-bit radar data plotted at constant altitude eliminates the need to sample elevation scan data for altitude or reset elevation angle choices in four-panel displays. Cross-section control is also dynamic, showing real- time updates to the cross-section data. 3D visualization 8-bit radar data from elevation scans, vertical cross-sections, and CAPPIs are plotted as 2D textures in 3D space. A forecaster can then zoom, pan, pitch, yaw, and fly about the data in 3D. Virtual Volumes No volume scan is incomplete. As new elevation scans are updated, they replace the old elevation scans in the virtual volume one-by-one. This means that there are full volumes of data available at all times for cross-sections and data perusal. Access to a much larger data inventory An “All-Tilts” product only allows the forecaster to peruse a sequential order of elevation scan frames. For a 64 frame limit in VCP12, that only comprises 5 volume scans. The FSI allows the user to access any elevation scan in the radar data inventory RPS list, for up 2 hours of 8-bit data for all elevation scans.

Greg Stumpf – CIMMS/NWS/MDL10 July nd SvrWXTech Workshop FSI Operational Considerations Training on the understanding of storm signatures in 3D representations to be developed by WDTB in concert with MDL. Workload management/human factors Partnering with Klein Associates, a leading decision science company, to conduct Cognitive Task Analysis. 3D visualization is reaching WFOs via other applications 3D experience is gaining in the field. Training on the understanding of storm signatures in 3D representations to be developed by WDTB in concert with MDL. Workload management/human factors Partnering with Klein Associates, a leading decision science company, to conduct Cognitive Task Analysis. 3D visualization is reaching WFOs via other applications 3D experience is gaining in the field.

Greg Stumpf – CIMMS/NWS/MDL10 July nd SvrWXTech Workshop FSI Alpha Test FSI will be alpha tested on AWIPS OB7.2 with new LX in 2007, and OB8.1: SR: Melbourne FL (April-) SR: Huntsville, AL (July-) CR: Omaha, NE (May-) FSI will be alpha tested on AWIPS OB7.2 with new LX in 2007, and OB8.1: SR: Melbourne FL (April-) SR: Huntsville, AL (July-) CR: Omaha, NE (May-)

Greg Stumpf – CIMMS/NWS/MDL10 July nd SvrWXTech Workshop FSI Alpha Test Objectives To determine the stability of the FSI software during real-time operational warning situations. To gain feedback from operational warning meteorologists on the utility and effectiveness of the FSI display and to suggest improvements before it is deployed into AWIPS. To develop subject-matter expertise within WFO meteorologists that could help guide the development of the training on the concept of operations using 3D radar analysis. Assess the operational impact of advanced radar analysis tools on NWS performance measures. To determine the stability of the FSI software during real-time operational warning situations. To gain feedback from operational warning meteorologists on the utility and effectiveness of the FSI display and to suggest improvements before it is deployed into AWIPS. To develop subject-matter expertise within WFO meteorologists that could help guide the development of the training on the concept of operations using 3D radar analysis. Assess the operational impact of advanced radar analysis tools on NWS performance measures.

Greg Stumpf – CIMMS/NWS/MDL10 July nd SvrWXTech Workshop FSI Operational release FSI 1.0 operational release: AWIPS OB8.2 (prior to Spring 2008) Resources did not permit all features to be included in FSI1.0: No Data sampling Super-resolution data not supported TDWR data not supported Storm-motion for SRM must be changed via D2D and FSI relaunch No colormap editor FSI 2.0 (tentative – OB8.3): Super-resolution data; Polarimetric variables Data Sampling (multi-parameter) Improved texture drawing (faster, less memory) Other suggestions from alpha test FSI 1.0 operational release: AWIPS OB8.2 (prior to Spring 2008) Resources did not permit all features to be included in FSI1.0: No Data sampling Super-resolution data not supported TDWR data not supported Storm-motion for SRM must be changed via D2D and FSI relaunch No colormap editor FSI 2.0 (tentative – OB8.3): Super-resolution data; Polarimetric variables Data Sampling (multi-parameter) Improved texture drawing (faster, less memory) Other suggestions from alpha test

Greg Stumpf – CIMMS/NWS/MDL10 July nd SvrWXTech Workshop FSI Operational release Beyond: 3D volume rendering and isosurfaces Data advection (to remove drift) Display of single radars from multiple locations concurrently 3D grids of mosaicked multiple-radar data Integration with near-storm environment data from numerical models u Add Temperature contours to vertical cross sections u Constant Temperature PPIs (CTPPIs). Next-generation AWIPS (AWIPS2): Common AWIPS Visualization Environment (CAVE) should require fully- integrated support for 3D visualization. Beyond: 3D volume rendering and isosurfaces Data advection (to remove drift) Display of single radars from multiple locations concurrently 3D grids of mosaicked multiple-radar data Integration with near-storm environment data from numerical models u Add Temperature contours to vertical cross sections u Constant Temperature PPIs (CTPPIs). Next-generation AWIPS (AWIPS2): Common AWIPS Visualization Environment (CAVE) should require fully- integrated support for 3D visualization.

Greg Stumpf – CIMMS/NWS/MDL10 July nd SvrWXTech Workshop Questions? Cell phone: NWS Meteorological Development Laboratory Decision Assistance Branch Cell phone: NWS Meteorological Development Laboratory Decision Assistance Branch