Sourcing Model Output

[Cammie Czuchnicki]

In August last year a question was asked in the educational forum in regards to the most popular websites from which to source data from.

There was only one response and this was for Twister data and the SPC for soundings and mesoanalysis.

I have been working really hard this last year to understand more about the weather and the atmosphere and I spend much time reading from books and studying the modules available from amazing resources such as http://www.meted.ucar.edu/.

However, I feel the area I need to improve is familiarising myself with online model output, choosing a preferred site and studying these models to improve my interpretation skills, observe changes over models runs and become aware of anomalies between models, such as the slight ‘progressiveness’ of the GFS etc.

It seems everyone has there own favoured source of data and I too want to establish a bond with some sites!

I do look at Twister data and appreciate the ease of switching between models and the forecast soundings available by a simple click on the map. Also, the new SPC Mesoscale Analysis pages seem a good find - but is this based solely on the RUC?

I apologise if my lack of knowledge in this area has resulted in any misrepresentation of any of the above sites. I am really new to this and some guidance on favoured sites would be so valuable, before I start putting all my efforts into interpretation and some numerical weather modelling modules from MetEd.

Many thanks in advance,
Cammie

 

[rdale]

Remember that at the core - all the sites displaying the NAM/GFS/RUC are using the exact same data. It all depends on what one you find the most reliable, which have the datasets you are looking for, etc. What format I like may be a format that you hate, just based on personal preferences.

I'm not sure what you're asking about SPC - yes they use the RUC, but as I recall current conditions are incorporated too.

 

[Rob H]

Twisterdata did a nice job on making the interface intuitive and simple to use. If I'm looking for just one parameter, I'll often times go to TD. I've found that TD lacks composite maps to my tastes and doesn't provide any sort of looping though. I would recommend using a bunch of the different model sites and see what you like best. I personally use TD and SPC/NCEP almost extensively. Your tastes will change, and conversations with other chasers will lead you to new sites!

http://w1.spc.woc.noaa.gov/exper/sref/
The king of composite parameter maps. Tornado ingredients and supercell composite are handy if you're trying to get a rough "bull's eye" of where the action will be.

http://www.nco.ncep.noaa.gov/pmb/nwprod/analysis/
This can be looped, so it's very nice for watching long-range models over time.

http://www.wxcaster.com/models_main.htm
Lots of model goodness, but at a price. Quite possibly the worst laid out of all the sites, with dead links and unfinished content.

http://hoot.metr.ou.edu/models/
http://www.rap.ucar.edu/weather/model/
Haven't really found anything on these two that would convince me to switch from another site.

http://weather.unisys.com/
The 4 panel display and some of the basic composite maps are nice.

 

[Cammie Czuchnicki]

Hi rdale,

thanks for your reply. I completely understand where you are coming from and am fully aware that there is no right answer, due to personal preference. I was just trying to get a feel for whether there were any sites particularly favoured within the community that can be recommended to someone fairly new to this, as a good place to start; or just what you use yourself, so I can explore further.

Sorry for not being clear in regards to the SPC pages - I may be getting a little confused.

Taking the 2 sites I've explored so far, it would appears the twisterdata.com website is currently programmed to display NCEP's RUC, NAM, and GFS models. A choice of parameters can then be applied over different model runs.

Whereas the SPC Hourly Mesoscale Analysis Page uses the latest RUC data, updating hourly, also giving a choice of parameters to apply. However, there is not an option of viewing any other models.

If twisterdata.com displays the RUC model, what is the benefit of going to the SPC pages to view this? Is it again, just down to how the data can be viewed and purely for cosmetic preference, or are there other benefits of one over the other?

Again, apologies if I appear confused by this. I have tried to look for a past link to help, but haven't found any from recently.

 

[Cammie Czuchnicki]

Robert,

Likewise - thank you for the links and your advice.

I will work my way through some of these and really concentrate on exactly what I am looking for and how well I can navigate the site.

Thanks again.

 

[rdale]

If twisterdata.com displays the RUC model, what is the benefit of going to the SPC pages to view this? Is it again, just down to how the data can be viewed and purely for cosmetic preference, or are there other benefits of one over the other?

It's not just the RUC model. It is the RUC data but "massaged" with current conditions, for a more realistic analysis. It's also not a forecast, it's giving you the best idea what is going on now.

At the SPC Mesoscale page, you'll see a link at the top to a multimedia overview of the system, and then down below the graphic is a little more explanation and a description of all the parameters.

 

[Mike Johnston]

It is largely a matter of personal preference.

I like the RAP site, http://www.rap.ucar.edu/weather/model/ , for a quick and dirty look. Very basic, yet the graphics are quite easy on the eye.

Earl Barker's site is quite detailed, but some displays can be absolutely maddening to read, especially the displays with overlaid, multiple parameters. Besides the main models page, this site also has special "Situational Severe Awareness" display, http://www.wxcaster.com/model_aware.htm , which focuses on severe parameters and includes measures like lid strength index, 0-3km CAPE, LCL, lapse rates, etc.; the nice thing about this page is that you can select whatever parameters you choose to create your own customized overlays.

Just a couple of ideas you may want to explore.

 

[Cammie Czuchnicki]

I will definately explore these - thank you Mike.

So looking forward to leaving the office and going home to play and explore all these suggestions!