CGen: Enabling AWC forecasters to generate convective SIGMETs via AWIPS

CGen, (Convective SIGMET Generator) is an extension of the AWIPS D2D display system. This tool provides the means to graphically define advisory areas, lines, or points, and outlook areas, and to create Convective SIGMET (WST) text using a graphical user interface. CGen is composed of graphic and text tools designed to increase the efficiency of WST generation. Since CGen is an extension of D2D, the full display capabilities of D2D may be utilized in the WST preparation process.

The WST preparation process will fall into at least one of three modes for each of three regions covering the Continental U.S.: a null forecast; a modification of the previous hour's issuance; or one or more new advisories. Each of these modes is supported by CGen.

Advisories may be created, manipulated, or deleted using the mouse pointer in the main pane of D2D. Advisory anchor point locations are identified with respect to aviation navigation beacon (VOR) locations. Anchor point and affected states information is automatically inserted into the WST message. Individual WST advisory text is created in the graphic user interface (GUI) on D2D, then inserted into East, Central, and West WST bulletins, assembled into the WST message, and displayed in the CGen Text Display window on the AWIPS text workstation. In the CGen text window, the forecaster may inspect the message, perform final editing or insert free-form text, and issue the message. Scheduled, Special, and Correction issuances are possible with CGen.

CGen is an end-to-end tool. The previous hour's WST advisories can be displayed as editable graphics, with associated text, for editing of the geographic extent and/or text. Bulletin header and footer, issue time, valid time, and forecaster identification are updated in the text automatically.

Gains in forecaster productivity over current WST preparation methodology and forecaster acceptance of CGen will be discussed.