Thomas M. Whittaker

The Man computer Interactive Data Access System: 25 Years of Interactive Processing

On 12 October 1998, it was the 25th anniversary of the Man computer Interactive Data Access System (McIDAS). On that date in 1973, McIDAS was first used operationally by scientists as a tool for data analysis. Over the last 25 years, McIDAS has undergone numerous architectural changes in an effort to keep pace with changing technology. In its early years, significant technological breakthroughs were required to achieve the functionality needed by atmospheric scientists. Today McIDAS is challenged by new Internet-based approaches to data access and data display. The history and impact of McIDAS, along with some of the lessons learned, are presented here.

Java distributed components for numerical visualization in VisAD

Combining a flexible data model and distributed objects, they support the sharing of data, visualizations, and user interfaces among multiple data sources, computers, and scientific disciplines.

Automated Streamline Analysis

Abstract A simple technique for automated (computer-generated) streamline analysis is presented. Descriptions of the algorithms utilized to perform this task are made. Finally, examples are presented which illustrate the ability of the method to represent neutral points (singularities) in the analysis method.

Bringing Training to Weather Service Forecasters Using a New Distance-Learning Tool

Abstract What is the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) National Weather Service doing in these times of rapidly changing technology and falling budgets to maintain high training standards? One solution used by NOAAs Virtual Institute for Satellite Integration Training (VISIT) is to bring meteorological instructors remotely into forecast offices using teletraining—an approach that combines the use of the Internet and audio conferencing. Since VISIT began providing teletraining in April 1999, over 10,000 training certificates have been issued in a variety of meteorological topics. The project has been an unqualified success, and NOAA plans to continue to build on this distance-learning concept in the future.

Evidence of Jet Streak Vertical Circulations

Abstract A Man Computer Interactive Data Access System (McIDAS) has been used to great advantage in the monitoring and processing of weather data on a real-time basis. In particular, McIDAS facilitated the timely acquisition of data for the study of a Midwest cyclone which was characterized by a well-defined jet streak aloft. Moreover, study of this jet streak revealed patterns of ageostrophic motion and divergence which agree well with the theory of jet streak vertical circulations. Previously, there had been only limited documentation of these patterns using an actual case study. The most striking results of this study were as follows: 1).Machine computation of synoptic-scale ageostrophic motions and divergence patterns can beaccomplished with a high degree of reliability and consistency. 2)The weather over large areas of the United States can be affected by a single, well-definedjet streak. 3)Significant research can now be accomplished on a near real-time basis. Systems such as McIDAS hold the promise...

Intercomparisons of Data Derived from Nimbus 5 Temperature Profiles, Rawinsonde Observations and Initialized LFM Model Fields

Abstract A 23–24 February 1975 case study is made comparing the results achieved using Nimbus 5 satellite temperature, profiles with those obtained from radiosonde data and the initial hour data of the Limited Area Fine Mesh (LFM) model of the National Meteorological Center. An objective analysis technique is used to construct and analyze isotropic cross sections through an intense baroclinic zone. A cross section based on 1700 GMT Nimbus 5 soundings is compared with those based on 1200 and 0000 GMT radiosonde and LFM data. Geostrophic shear calculations are used to compare the thermal gradients for various isobaric layers obtained from the three data acts. The Nimbus 5 results show somewhat less detail than those based on the radiosonde data, but wore than those obtained from the LPM data. Comparisons of the mean temperature in various isobaric layers for the three time periods indicate that the 1700 GMT Nimbus 5 data appear to be consistent with the changing synoptic pattern. Estimates of the wind compo...

Objective Cross-Sectional Analyses Incorporating Thermal Enhancement of the Observed Winds

Abstract Overlapping second-order Lagrangian polynomials are used to construct cross-sectional isentropic analyses from upper air sounding observations. Estimates of geostrophic winds are obtained through the thermal wind relationship. Thermal information is also combined with normal components of the observed wind to obtain a thermally enhanced, observed wind analysis. Results using these techniques are presented and compared with a previous objective analysis technique developed by Shapiro and Hastings (1973). Examination of the results indicates the applicability of the techniques both for operational and research purposes.

Introducing HYDRA: A Multispectral Data Analysis Toolkit

A freeware-based multispectral data analysis tool kit for satellite data has been developed to assist research and development of remote-sensing applications as well as education and training of remote-sensing scientists; it is called HYDRA—HYper-spectral data viewer for Development of Research Applications. HYDRA provides a fast and flexible interface that allows users to explore and visualize relationships between radiances (or reflectances and brightness temperatures) and wavelength (or wavenumber) using spectra diagrams, cross sections, scatter plots, multichannel combinations, and color enhancements on a pixel-by-pixel basis with full access to the underlying metadata of location and time. HYDRA enables interrogation of multispectral (and hyperspectral) fields of data so that a) pixel location and spectral measurement values can be easily displayed; b) spectral channels can be combined in linear functions and the resulting images displayed; c) false color images can be constructed from multiple chann...

Using VisAD to build tools for visualizing and analyzing remotely sensed data

This paper provides an overview of the VisAD library; its use in developing applications for analyzing and visualizing remotely sensed data, and examples of image display and analysis tools that have already been developed using VisAD.

McIDAS-V: a powerful data analysis and visualization tool for multi and hyperspectral environmental satellite data

The Man computer Interactive Data Access System (McIDAS) project began over 30 years ago at the University of Wisconsin-Madison to analyze and visualize data from the first generation of geostationary weather satellites. McIDAS continues to provide a strong data analysis and visualization capability for the current environmental satellites. However, the next generation of operational remote sensing instruments under development for the NPOESS and GOES-R programs require software tools with expanded capability and performance to support innovative techniques for developing algorithms, visualizing data and products, and evaluating results. A project is underway at SSEC to develop the fifth generation of McIDAS, a java-based, open-source system for multispectral and hyperspectral researchers and algorithm developers that will provide powerful new data manipulation and visualization tools to work in this data rich environment. NASA EOS MODIS and AIRS data as well as MSG SEVERI and METOP IASI data are now being used in conjunction with in situ and gridded data to develop new analysis and product validation techniques in the McIDAS-V environment. This new data analysis and visualization system will support both researchers and operational users of the advanced measurement systems on NPOESS and GOES R.