Weather Model Software

[ReidVaughan]

I was curious if anyone had any recommendations on a software package that would download and allow the user to look at the GFS and other weather models without actually having to go to the NWS site. I have a few of the freeware versions that let you look at 24 to 48 hours of the product, but I can find nothing that will allow the full run to be examined. Any ideas? Thanks...


CRV

 

[Greg Higgins]

Several months ago I ran across AminWx, a discontinued software program. It can be easily modified to "fetch" the runs and I have updated several different models which I would be happy to share. According to the website (which I think has been puled down) the author encouraged users to update the model information as needed.

Greg Higgins

 

[ReidVaughan]

Animwx...

Hi Greg...

That is the software that I have downloaded as well. However, it doesn't let me look at the full run and the resolution is somewhat limited. You stated that you have made some changes to it? What might those be?

CRV

 

[Brett Adair]

I would like to see an exe file of this online as well. Sounds like an interesting piece of software to add to my collection given the active weather possible over the next day or two.

 

[Roger Brown]

You can try Weather Model 1.0 Beta from http://www.softpedia.com/progDownload/Weather-Model-Download-67843.html

Roger

 

[Bob Hartig]

Check out F5 Data. It offers a huge array of maps, including a number of proprietary indices. Right now the offerings are NAM/WRF and RUC2, but GFS is actively in the works, and once that's available, this will move from a great to a totally killer product. Andy Revering continues to develop it and offers very conscientious support.

The software is free, and I understand it will be completely updated in a couple months. The data feed costs less than fifteen bucks a month, and you can get a package discount if you purchase a yearly subscription to both it and Allisonhouse. The nice thing about that is, AH allows GRX users to display F5 data on their radar--great for getting a sense of what kind of environment a storm is moving into.

 

[ReidVaughan]

F5 Data...

I have downloaded the package some two days ago and liked it, but it appears to be a very short range, severe weather program. You state that the GFS runs should be a part of the package soon? Is there anything on the F5 site in regard to that? Thanks for the info on that.

CRV

 

[darnalljason]

Software

How about using

wright-weather.com they are great for model data


or U could get a Gempak system setup it works great as well

 

[Bob Hartig]

I have downloaded the package some two days ago and liked it, but it appears to be a very short range, severe weather program. You state that the GFS runs should be a part of the package soon? Is there anything on the F5 site in regard to that? Thanks for the info on that.

CRV

Very short range? The NAM/WRF goes out to 84 hours, but you have to select that model. Otherwise, F5 defaults to RUC2.

This is much more than just a severe weather package, Reid. I'm not sure how much you've played with it, but it offers all kinds of stuff, and it even groups maps under convenient categories such as severe, winter, precip, tornadoes, moisture, and so forth, which you can customize as you like. You can even create your own map grouping if you want.

As for the GFS, you'll find that discussed in different places in the user forum (which you'll find under the help menu). It's definitely on the way, along with what sounds like a whole lot more besides. Here is what Andy wrote earlier this month:

[FONT=arial,helvetica]The GFS addition requires a new software update. The next software update is going to be a bit of an overhaul of the software you currently have. Thus the long delay in getting a new version out recently. The new version will also include the long awaited shading as we have purchased a set of code that overwrites what is currently drawing the data files on the server side. This will make perfectly smooth contours as well as beautiful shaded imagery.

All of this requires new work in the F5 software and thus a big overhaul which will include many new features as well as a possible interface redesign.

This will probably be at least a month or two before it can be launched due to all that needs to be done.

The map updates mentioned in a previous post is primarily done on the server side, with one small file update that can be done as a patch to your current version.
[/FONT]

 

[mikedeason]

I was curious if anyone had any recommendations on a software package that would download and allow the user to look at the GFS and other weather models without actually having to go to the NWS site. I have a few of the freeware versions that let you look at 24 to 48 hours of the product, but I can find nothing that will allow the full run to be examined. Any ideas?

Check out IDV, an integrated Java application developed by Unidata.

http://www.unidata.ucar.edu/software/idv/

It got a very bad rap a few years back as it is very memory intensive. But with faster processors and more memory in present computers it runs very well. There is a bit of a learning curve, but once you begin to master it you'll find yourself using it almost exclusively. It basically can do everything you'd pay hundreds of dollars for in individual software packages (including 3-D rendering of model and radar data) and it's free. You only have to register with Unidata.

 

[ReidVaughan]

F5 Data...

I believe I will sign up for the F5 package if there is a chance that the GFS will be brought online. I have GRLevel3 and SL4.0, but really lacked a utility to look at model data without depending on the websites to get it for me. Thanks for the heads up...

As to the other software package... I will give it a trial as well. I always believe that there is never too much weather data at your finger tips.

CRV

 

[Tyler_Costantini]

IDV is a nice piece of software I don't think it's something you would want to use in the field,, there are tons of open source apps that can read NETCDF format grib files.. BUT they are not really designed for an end user,, GRADS, Gempak, RIP4, VIS5D,,, etc……

The original question states

the NWS site

So in that case here are some URL’s of other model sites with GFS data


http://weather.cod.edu/forecast/
http://www.rap.ucar.edu/weather/model/
http://vortex.plymouth.edu/make_no_frame.html
http://www.wxcaster.com/weather.php3
http://www.emc.ncep.noaa.gov/ < not,,, NWS but NCEP
http://www.stormchaser.niu.edu/machine/fcstsound.html
http://rucsoundings.noaa.gov/
http://twister.sbs.ohio-state.edu/

[FONT=&quot]I hope this helps out…[/FONT]

 

[Angel Dimitrov]

weather software

Hello,

You can try MeteOS - WRF model for Windows, user-friendly, up to 120 hours, needs fast dual/quad core.

Angel

 

[ReidVaughan]

F5 Data

I signed up for the F5 data package and enjoyed having it through the marginally severe weather that we had this morning and today. I also found the software creator to be quite the nice guy and really worth doing business with.

CRV

 

[Bob Hartig]

Congratulations, Reid. The more you use F5, the more you're going to appreciate it. I think the upgrade is going to be awesome. Have you discovered the model soundings grid yet? Another nice feature is, you can select a map, then right click, and a pop-up text balloon will give you an overview and tips for that particular map.