Georeferenced imagery in 3D Visualization of WRF output

Poster Abstract: Georeferenced imagery in 3D Visualization of WRF output

We report on new capabilities for embedding 2D georeferenced imagery into 3D visualization of Weather Research Forecast (WRF) model output using the VAPOR visualization tool. The understanding of 3D weather visualization is enhanced by including georeferenced imagery from an external source such as a Web Mapping Service (WMS) or an NCAR Command Language (NCL) data plot. Terrain images, political boundaries, and data plots can be correctly aligned in a 3D scene, enhancing a visual understanding of the weather simulation. Additional contextual cues are obtained by applying these images to a terrain elevation grid. When applied to moving storm systems, the 3D visualization can animate the storm features alongside terrain images and other georeferenced imagery, readily adding additional geographic context to storm visualization. These georeferencing capabilities can also be used to display NCL plots of WRF data in Google Earth.