J12.1
AWIPS Applications Used in a Web Based River and Flood Information Dissemination System
William Schneider, NOAA/NWS, Portland, OR; and A. Bryant
A series of AWIPS applications were developed at WFO Portland, Oregon, to enable WFOs to disseminate specific hydrologic data to users through the World Wide Web. Hydrographs and data tables are generated on AWIPS by the "rivdat" (a.k.a. RiverDat) application. Scripts are utilized to transfer output files to the web server and other applications are run on the web server as "CGI" scripts to create specific displays.
Providing timely accurate hydrologic forecasts and information to emergency managers and public users has been a long standing challenge for the National Weather Service. The world wide web is providing new opportunities for NWS offices to get large quantities of valuable information to users in real time for use in critical decision making. WFO Portland, Oregon has developed an internet (web) based display and dissemination system, which provides emergency managers and the public with a wealth of hydrologic data, forecasts and warnings for the local hydrologic service area. Data and forecasts are retrieved from the local AWIPS WHFS database. The web site represents a new era for NWS data and forecast dissemination, allowing users to select the specific river of interest and obtain specific information for that river in real time. Maps of river basin areas leads the user to specific river data and forecast points. Once a specific river point is selected a detailed real hydrographs, data are displayed. Watch and warning information relating to the specific data points are also available.
All the software which generates output for the web based river and flood information system runs on the AWIPS platform in conjunction with the NWS Western Region web server, which hosts the web displays. The software utilizes the AWIPS WHFS INFORMIX database for data access and also works in concert with the AWIPS "RiverPro "software.
The "rivdat" hydrograph software is easy to use yet highly configurable enabling any office to customize the hydrograph to suit the needs of their local users. Examples of different configurations of the hydrograph software will be available to show the flexibility that can be employed by offices to design similar web sites to meet local customer needs. All the components of the web based display system will be demonstrated.
Joint Session 12, Using the Internet to Enhance Product Delivery and Decision Making (Joint with AWIPS and IIPS)
Thursday, 17 January 2002, 1:30 PM-4:15 PM
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