In this exercise, you will display a single grid, and then a loop of grids.

Displaying Grid Data over an Image

1. Display the most recent ECMWF 700 mb relative humidity grid available on the current Meteosat image.

   Select: Display/Grid

   Select: Dataset/RTGRIDS/ECM-GLME

   Select: Parameter/RH

   Select: Level/700 MB

   Select: Date/most recent

   Click: the 00 hour forecast (first in the list)

   Click: Load Grid(s)

2. Overlay the streamlines in a different color.

   Select: Parameter/STREAML

   Select: Level/700 MB

   Select: Date/most recent

   Click: the Options tab

   Select: Contour Color/the color of your choice

   Click: Load and Dismiss

Displaying and Looping Grid Data on a map

1. Erase the images and graphics on frames 1-6.

   Click: Erase Image

   Click: Erase Graphics

   Click: Advance Frame

   Repeat process until all frames have been erased.

2. Select the 24 hour MSL pressure forecast from the March 13, 1993 00:00 UTC NGM model run (valid 14 MAR 00:00 UTC) to be displayed on frame 5.

   Select: Display/Grid

   Select: Select Frame/ALL FRAMES/5

   Select: Dataset/BLIZZARD/GRIDS

   Select: Source/NGM

   Select: Parameter/P

   Select: Date/13 Mar 1993

   Click: the 24 hour forecast (second in the list)

3. Display the grid over the United States.

   Click: the Options tab

   Select: Map Boundaries/USA

   Click: Load Grid(s)

4. Display the same grid, but this time as part of a loop in frames 1-3.

   Click: the Data tab

   Select: Select Frame/Satellites/1

   Select: the first three grids in the list by clicking the first grid and dragging your mouse down over the next two grids listed

   Click: Load and Dismiss

5. Loop the grids to see the movement of the Low Pressure System.

   Click: Play

6. When done viewing the grids, stop the loop.

   Click: Stop

7. Erase the images and graphics on frames 1-6.

   Select: Show Frame/ALL FRAMES/1

   Click: Erase Graphics

   Click: Advance Frame

   Repeat process until all frames have been erased.

Unidata McIDAS Learning Guide - Introduction > Graphical User Interface (GUI)