Exploring AWIPS Development: Challenges, Successes, and Insights from a new developer

To contribute to AWIPS (Advanced Weather Interactive Processing System) software development, I focus on cloud-based environments, highlighting the intricacies of setting up a new developer within an AWIPS development cloud instance. I discuss the challenges inherent in navigating the steep AWIPS learning curve during my 10-week William M. Lapenta internship with the National Weather Service (NWS) Office of Central Processing (OCP). This is done through the framework of Development Change Specifications (DCSs) that focused on integrating new data into AWIPS.

Here, looking through the lens of a new developer, I focus on potential avenues for improvement in documentation; gained in the context of three DCSs worked on during my internship. Notably, the accomplishments with these DCSs include integrating the SPC Severe Timing Guidance product into browsers in the Display 2-Dimensions (D2D) and Graphical Forecast Editor (GFE) perspectives, allowing NWS forecasters to use this data within AWIPS. Further, working on the DCSs also gave insight into the relationship between field offices, forecasters, and NWS Headquarters.

Throughout the process, there were numerous challenges and successes. Challenges include difficulties with documentation, deprecated webpages, and understanding different pathways to the same outcome. In contrast, success includes intuitive tutorials and up-to-date focal point courses that flatten the learning curve. Insights through the process encompass not only the AWIPS development process but also offer a perspective on the working relationships between product creators, end-users, and AWIPS developers.