A graphical user interface (GUI) is a commonly used computer tool that allows users to more easily interact with underlying software and files. Though the GUI itself can be quite involved and contain several levels of interactivity, it ultimately offers a safer and more efficient method to manipulate software and modify files. A great advantage is that users do not have to remember file paths or executable names, and therefore do not have to recall their interdependencies.

The Weather Research and Forecasting (WRF) system is being developed with the latest scientific knowledge and computer technologies. The Forecast Systems Laboratory (FSL) has developed the WRF Standard Initialization (WRFSI) , an important and necessary first step in setting up WRF. The WRFSI provides two mandatory functions: 1) to define and localize a three-dimensional grid, and 2) to provide the initial and lateral boundary condition files by interpolating larger scale model data to the domain.

The WRF GUI is designed to present graphical tools that can completely run all WRFSI processes in a robust manner that makes sense to the users of the application. The GUI provides users a choice of partially and fully completed entry values that can be edited to satisfy their goals. Users can bypass very complicated procedures, especially if they are unfamiliar with scripting. They can get useful results without otherwise knowing how to proceed from scratch.