Increasing the Computing Capability and Accessibility to Unidata Software in
the Atmospheric Science Program at the University of Missouri-Columbia

Patrick Market

The University of Missouri-Columbia (UMC) used its 2003 Unidata equipment award to upgrade several aspects of the UMC Atmospheric Science Program. Three Windows-based machines were purchased for the Synoptic Lab / Map Room, each new platform having the capacity to run easily the IDV for instructional and forecasting purposes.  For instance, the ability to render 3-D isosurfaces of wind speed and isentropic potential vorticity using real-time model output has been quite beneficial to students in the Synoptic Meteorology sequence. 

The remaining grant resources partially funded a new Sun Blade2000 machine, which processes isentropic coordinate files of the 00Z and 12Z NGM and NAM model runs and makes the output available in graphic format at

http://weather.missouri.edu/isen

This web page is available for viewing the most common isentropic variables (Montgomery streamfunction, pressure, mixing ratio, winds, etc) on a variety of isentropic surfaces.  The site is unique, as there are few, if any, comparable sites rendering real-time model solutions in isentropic space.  At UMC, these pages have proven helpful for students who are just learning about the isentropic coordinate system and desire to press their newfound knowledge into service. 

An archive of the files (in GEMPAK format) from which the online graphics are generated will be maintained online for at least one month.  A simple change to one’s GARP configuration will permit viewing of these files.  FDF files for use with model output in an isentropic framework are available by writing to marketp@missouri.edu.