Recorded presentation5A.5
Using GIS and Ensemble NWP Output for Infrastructure Impacts Forecasts
Jennifer Boehnert, NCAR, Boulder, CO; and J. Hacker and B. Bush
A U.S. Air Force Weather Agency (AFWA) sponsored pilot project to empower decision makers, using WRF ensemble output interpreted in Geographic Information Systems (GIS) software. GIS is a powerful tool which allows for exploration of data and communication of results. ESRI's ArcGIS 9.2 allows for easy understanding of temporal patterns and trends using its new graphic engine and added support for multidimensional data such as ensemble NWP output. Using AFWA Weather Warning and Advisory (WWA) criteria as thresholds for probabilistic valuation, the ensemble output is processed with three different techniques: (1) voting, (2) fuzzy algorithms, and (3) direct propagation of ensemble results through the WWA. Results are displayed in GIS along with infrastructure data to assess the degree to which Air Force assets are impacted. Visual Basic for Applications (VBA) tools were developed in GIS for quick and easy viewing of the NWP output through time and to flag impacted military installations. The integration of ensemble NWP output and GIS opens the door to many new applications for decision support systems.
Session 5A, GIS Applications
Tuesday, 22 January 2008, 1:30 PM-3:00 PM, 206
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