Forecaster Usage Patterns of AWIPS D2D and GFESuite During 2005

The AWIPS two-dimensional Data Display (D2D) and the Graphical Forecast Editor (GFESuite) are the primary forecasting systems for today's National Weather Service Forecasters. Last year's study, "Examples of GFESuite and D2D Use in Operations During 2004" by William F. Roberts, NOAA/ERL/FSL, Boulder, CO; and L. K. Cheatwood, showed that both the D2D and GFESuite product use has increased significantly over the past few years. The D2D analysis concluded that the relative percentage of product use within each category remained about the same, but the volume and range of accessed products had increased within all product categories. The GFESuite analysis concluded that the basic editing tool use had increased as well as the use of sophisticated Smart Tools. This was due, in part, to the increase in the number of forecast grids generated by the offices, the increased forecast grid resolution, and forecasters continued development of better smart tools to generate and adjust weather elements. With increasing demand for new forecasting tools and capabilities both systems have continued to evolve. We are evaluating how forecasters are using these systems' tools and capabilities to observe the weather and to generate and maintain their forecast fields.

In this study, AWIPS D2D usage logs are collected and analyzed during 2004-2005 at the BOU National Weather Service Office in Boulder, CO. This collection of data is the first continuous yearly record to be analyzed. Two sets of data are evaluated: the total monthly frequency by product use for all AWIPS D2D workstations (used for past studies) and a new analysis of each individual workstation's monthly frequency by product use. This aspect of the study gives indication of which workstation is actually used more frequently and what products are used for specific forecasting duties. Additionally, GFESuite weeklong log "snapshots" are being collected during 2005 from different forecast offices during a variety of different weather scenarios. With these snapshots, we can examine the changes and similarities in the frequency of product use, analyzed from a number of forecasters with varied forecast responsibilities, of previous studies. At the same time we evaluate both AWIPS D2D and the GFESuite systems' data, we can compare the forecaster use patterns between the two systems. A summary of these results, including any common usage patterns that arise, will be presented and discussed. We will also consider ways to incorporate AWIPS D2D and GFESuite usage log data in future projects/studies.