| pseabury |
| (Tourist) |
| 07/24/05 05:24 PM |
| View in Google Earth |
Live Tropical Data & NHC Forecast Models - SrcCode
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Update :
Quote:
Also, I've already used a couple of gigs of bandwidth this month....I have plenty to go around, but would rather folks update their links to the KMZ from the KML as the KML accounts for about 60% of my bandwidth. I've seen an issue where some versions of the client doesn't like the KMZ (no subfolders show up), but if your's works with KMZ please switch. Again, the data in both is identical, KMZ is just compressed.
Link to KMZ
<a href="" target="_blank">Link to KML Removed</a>
This link kind of goes along with some of my previous work in this thread . I've written an app that pulls the lastest forecast tracks and predicted strength for tropical named storms (Depression, Storm, Hurricane) from the National Hurricane Center, and then writes the kml that represents the data. This link isn't as dynamic as I'd like, as the NHC only puts out a new forecast every 6 hrs or so, but it's the best I could do so far. It should be pretty cool to look at when we have a few storms roaring. I've also not tested it exhaustively, so my app may break if it encounters data outside the format that I expect. I would guess that I may run into 1 or 2 of these as the format that they provide isn't optimal for parsing. I wish they'd just put out a comma-separated list, but I guess beggars can't be choosers. The app is designed to fail gracefully though, so should it fail to write new output for some reason, the last good data should be available until the problem gets fixed.
The only thing I ask is that you not hammer my server by setting it to update every 1 second or whatever for two reasons. First, the link itself is not from home (actually on a decent server), but I'd still rather not drive up my bandwidth usage. Second, the data will only update every 6 hrs or so, so the 10 minute default refresh should do just fine. Enjoy.
[EDIT] - Forgot the screenshot. Just as I was taking the screenshot, NHC added Franklin back into the data. Kinda cool that it worked as planned.
[EDIT] - Fixed the link to the network link in the original post. Sorry about that!
Paul
| troxy18 |
| (Tourist) |
| 07/24/05 06:31 PM |
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Re: NHC Track Forecast Models
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Good use of information, looks pretty neat if you include a cloud overlay underneath or weather radar to make it look better. Like this
| pseabury |
| (Tourist) |
| 07/24/05 06:40 PM |
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Re: NHC Track Forecast Models
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Definitely Troxy. I think I could integrate boatloads of other tropical data along with the forecast tracks. I'm not sure I want to force that on everyone or bloat the kml with it though. Depends on the response I guess. If that's what people want, I can surely do it fairly easily. I guess the layers that a user doesn't want can be turned off by them eh? I think you just talked me into it...now lets see how much time I have after work this week....might have to wait until the weekend for the "Tropical Portfolio".
Paul
| troxy18 |
| (Tourist) |
| 07/24/05 06:53 PM |
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Re: NHC Track Forecast Models
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Or you could post a link to the original posting for the sat weather image I used that way people could see how different layers and overlays in google earth work together. Just think of the possibilities
| 3Dsolar |
| (Tourist) |
| 07/25/05 06:56 AM |
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Re: NHC Track Forecast Models
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very good job !!
| Mike_in_Florida |
| (Storm Chaser) |
| 07/25/05 09:44 AM |
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Re: NHC Track Forecast Models
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Sounds great! Living in Florida this is very useful!
Thanks for working on it...
| pseabury |
| (Tourist) |
| 07/25/05 10:48 AM |
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Re: NHC Track Forecast Models
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No problem, I enjoy doing this sort of stuff. I'll likely keep improving it, but since it's a network link, that should be transparent to those using it.
| SoFlaChris |
| (Tourist) |
| 07/25/05 03:20 PM |
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Re: NHC Track Forecast Models
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Very slick... Thanks for taking the time to share this! Any chance that the model source name could be added to each run? (GFDL, BAMD. etc?)
TIA,
Chris
| pseabury |
| (Tourist) |
| 07/25/05 06:06 PM |
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Re: NHC Track Forecast Models
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Currently that info IS in the data. You can expand "NHC Models" entry on your places menu and there will be a folder for each storm in the current report. You can then expand each storm's folder and see that each model has its own folder as well. Also, single clicking on a point in the track lines will bring up the info for that particular point, Including the model name. Single Clicking on the white point (the last real, not forecast, location) will bring up the raw Initial Conditions report for that storm.
Right now I'm currently working on adding a Sea Surface Temperature (SST) overlay from the raw satellite data. I'm taking the .25x.25 degree points from the GRIB (Gridded Binary) files, converting the raw data to a temperature C, and then creating an image from it. It's a lot of work, but I can control how it's drawn with a lot more granularity. I'll add this to the network feed once it's done and stable.
Regards,
Paul
| TheSHAD0W |
| (Explorer) |
| 07/25/05 06:09 PM |
| View in Google Earth |
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Re: NHC Track Forecast Models
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If you do decide to integrate an overlay, I've attached the one I'd recommend you use. Maybe you should produce two versions, one that includes an overlay and one that doesn't.
I'd also like to suggest (at least with this overlay) you increase the line width to make things easier to see.
| pseabury |
| (Tourist) |
| 07/25/05 06:13 PM |
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Re: NHC Track Forecast Models
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Your attached overlay looks like an Infrared of the atlantic/caribbean. I intend to eventually include a plethora of data, all related to tropical activity, to this feed. I'm just doing it one step at a time. I'll look at the source of that overlay data and see if I can find a higher resolution one before I include it. Not that it loks bad, but I'm going to try to include the highest res stuff for all the data in the link. Thanks for your input...hopefully towards the end of this week there'll be LOTS more to this link.
[EDIT] - Also keep in mind that I mean highest resolution both spatially and temporally.
Paully
| SoFlaChris |
| (Tourist) |
| 07/25/05 07:30 PM |
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Re: NHC Track Forecast Models
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DOH... I should have thought to open the folder! This is great. Keep it coming.
| pseabury |
| (Tourist) |
| 07/25/05 07:33 PM |
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Re: NHC Track Forecast Models
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No Problem at all. If people don't typically expand their placemarks, then I should provide some other indication...maybe a legend like my other hurricane display has. That's the kind of stuff I'm trying to find out from people that post. Thanks Chris.
Paul
| CapeVerde |
| (Tourist) |
| 07/26/05 01:16 PM |
Re: NHC Track Forecast Models
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Most excellent! Some of us weatherbugs living on the coast will be using this layer a lot. Thanks!
| pseabury |
| (Tourist) |
| 07/26/05 04:03 PM |
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Re: NHC Track Forecast Models
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Thanks CapeVerde, much appreciated.
I just updated the link slightly. Now the generated KML makes the placemarks and lines with an altitude, to prevent the lines from dissapearing into the ocean/land when the distance between points in very far. I didn't want to make the lines relative to ground in case they passed over a bump in elevation. It still may not be perfect, but it's at least better. I also made the lines 1 pixel thicker and scaled up the point graphics slightly.
BTW, I was talking to a meteorologist about the format of the data, as well as the storms named "Invest". I thought they were bogus, but he assured me that "Invest" is typically a name given to a storm in the preliminary stages of tracking it. I suppose they don't want to waste a name from the list on a storm of this nature, but then again, they want to give it a name. There may be more to it than that, but that's what I know about it.
Paul
| LynnA |
| (Tourist) |
| 07/26/05 05:01 PM |
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Re: NHC Track Forecast Models
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You guys (and GE) are amazing. I'm a newbie but a huge tropical weather enthusiast and this is so helpful.
I notice when I import the links in GE they end up in temporary places. Shouldn't they be overlays?
Thanks for all of your hard work.
Lynn
| pseabury |
| (Tourist) |
| 07/26/05 05:27 PM |
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Re: NHC Track Forecast Models
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Lynn,
You can just Drag and Drop the Placemark(Folder, whatever) to your "My Places" tree. Then you can save it manually, or when GE exits it will ask you to save if you haven't already.
Paul
| CapeVerde |
| (Tourist) |
| 07/27/05 05:54 AM |
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Re: NHC Track Forecast Models
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The Invest storms are far from bogus. They are tropical waves that appear to have the potential to develop into tropical depressions, storms, or hurricanes.
Avid weatherwatchers follow them closely, as does the the National Hurricane Center. An Invest is something they spend time and manpower investigating with flights to gather atmospheric conditions.
A new Invest, 93L, was identified last night, and the huge wave coming off Africa right now is almost certain to become Invest 94L within a day or two.
They don't actually give a storm a name until it reaches tropical storm status. It has to be identified as a tropical depression before that and just given a different number. If Invest 92L becomes a tropical depression, it will be called TD8.
Being able to track these Invests on Earth Google thanks to your work is just awesome, in my opinion.
CV
| pseabury |
| (Tourist) |
| 07/27/05 06:34 AM |
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Re: NHC Track Forecast Models
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Thanks CV......it was pretty cool to get up this morning and see two new "Invests" steaming westward in the tropical atlantic. I'm still working on the raw SST, but be patient...I'll get it soon enough.
Paul
| CapeVerde |
| (Tourist) |
| 07/27/05 08:12 AM |
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Re: NHC Track Forecast Models
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In addition to your layer, I've downloaded a layer for global satellite infrared radar which depicts cloud temperatures (colder meaning bigger and more stormy). I got it here:Global Infrared Satellite Images
The combination of your layer with this makes an excellent way of tracking storms and their intensity.
When you develop your SST layer, it's going to be an incredibly valuable tool in predicting increases in storm intensity.
CV
| pseabury |
| (Tourist) |
| 07/27/05 09:04 AM |
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Re: NHC Track Forecast Models
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That is a nice IR layer. I changed some of the overlays to auto update, but other than that kept it as is. Looks good, and thanks.
| pseabury |
| (Tourist) |
| 07/29/05 04:43 PM |
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Re: NHC Track Forecast Models
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First cut at SST is done. I haven't added it to the link yet because I've got to run for a couple hours and want to debug/polish it up a bit. Parsing those gribbed RAW data files isn't difficult per se, but it does make you want to kill byte arrays.
Look for it to automatically be added either tonight ir tomorrow morning when your link refreshes. Here's a screenshot of the Alpha...
| LynnA |
| (Tourist) |
| 07/29/05 07:14 PM |
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Re: NHC Track Forecast Models
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Thanks. Appreciate the tip. I'm starting to get the hang of it. Unfortunately, I am now having fetching errors when the NHC tracks update. I'll figure it out yet with the help of you great people!
Again, thanks,
Lynn
| pseabury |
| (Tourist) |
| 07/29/05 07:50 PM |
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Re: NHC Track Forecast Models
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Lynn,
You may be getting fetch errors because I'm working on it. I'm sorry about that. If the kml is bad on a refresh, it should be fixed by the next timed update (10 mins I think). At least tonight, and probably at certain times tmw, you may get this same error. Hopefully it will be worth the fetch errors once I quit editing it.
| LynnA |
| (Tourist) |
| 07/29/05 07:53 PM |
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Re: NHC Track Forecast Models
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Thanks for letting me know. I thought it was my computer or something I was doing wrong. Keep up the great work!!!
Lynn
PS Is the Invest data missing because you are working on it as well?
| pseabury |
| (Tourist) |
| 07/29/05 08:27 PM |
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Re: NHC Track Forecast Models
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The track models (including Invest) aren't put out by the NHC in the most reliable format. For instance.....the main reports that they put out are at 00Z, 06Z, 12Z, and 18Z. Four times per day, 6 hrs apart. Unfortunately, right now I only check for the latest one of those 4 reports. They also put out intermediate reports at say 01Z, 07Z, maybe 11Z, etc. . I'm not sure why they do this, other than the models for a particular storm may not be ready yet. In any case, the way I coded by client was the check for the very latest file by timestamp (the youngest file), the check to see if it one of the {00,06,12,18) set. If it isn't, then I check the next oldest file until I find one that falls into the (00,06,12,18) set so that I have the "official" report. The problem is that sometimes the official 6hr ones don't get updated with the proper information, they just put out one of those intermediate files. So to maybe make it a little more clear (I tend to ramble) here's a typical situation if say we are tracking 3 storms(2 invests, and 1 proper named):
00Z - Invest1, Invest2, Franklin
06Z - Invest2, Franklin
07Z - invest1
12Z - Invest1, Invest2, Franklin
18Z - Invest1, Invest2, Franklin
00Z - Invest1, Franklin
01Z - Invest2
So you can see that sometimes all of the storms aren't included in a single 6hr report. I will be working on this problem tomorrow. Odds are that if you're missing a storm that you think should be there, it will be there upon the next update.
On another note, I've upped the resolution of the SST overlays DRAMATICALLY and they look great now.....I'm going to try and get the Tropical Atlantic built into the feed tonight.
Regards,
Paul
| pseabury |
| (Tourist) |
| 07/29/05 10:47 PM |
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Re: NHC Track Forecast Models
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Ok, the first cut at the SST data is now in the Network Link. If you just let the link refresh, the SST data should show up. It's very late, so there may be bugs, but I'm sure I'll hear from you if there are.
You can see the improvement in resolution in the screenshot below when compared to the screenshot above. I did have some problems with GE complaining about the image format, but that just magically dissapeared....at least for me. Let me know.
| LynnA |
| (Tourist) |
| 07/30/05 01:56 PM |
Re: NHC Track Forecast Models
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Paul:
Thanks so much. I know there are quite a few of us at Storm2K (weather board) who are using this product and we really appreciate all the work you are puttiing into it! Great job.
Lynn
| pseabury |
| (Tourist) |
| 07/30/05 04:00 PM |
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Re: NHC Track Forecast Models
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No problem at all. I enjoy solving interesting problems. I'm looking for fairly high-res Visible, Infrared, and Water Vapor imagery now to add to this dataset. It'd be nice if it was geocoded or GRIBBed so that it fits nice and snug without hand fitting it. If anyone has any suggestions please let me know. Also, I do have the capability to easily add more sections of SST if anyone wants it.....I have the raw data for the entire globe, and I wrote a routine to generate bitmaps on the fly from input coordinates....so it's rather easy. Just let me know.
Paul
| rodziolkow |
| (Tourist) |
| 07/30/05 09:53 PM |
Re: NHC Track Forecast Models
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Very impressive! It is cool to see how you and pseabury collaborated to make layers that combine to present a very powerful image. Great work!
| Bamastormchaser |
| (Tourist) |
| 07/30/05 10:03 PM |
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Re: Tropical Data and NHC Storm Forecast Models
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Very nice. Is there any way you can add more data feeds into the selection? Just curious.
| pseabury |
| (Tourist) |
| 07/31/05 08:58 AM |
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Re: Tropical Data and NHC Storm Forecast Models
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Absolutely, just let me know what you are looking for and I'll definitely look into integrating it. I was looking at wind shear and vorticity overlays yesterday, but wasn't sure how many people may be interested in that. I don't want to add unneccessary things that just clutter up the display and network link, but I DO want things that are helpful in providing one-stop shopping for the tropical watchdogs.
Paul
| Bamastormchaser |
| (Tourist) |
| 07/31/05 09:20 AM |
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Re: Tropical Data and NHC Storm Forecast Models
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Thanks Paul! I am interested in the wind shear/wind shear tendancy maps. You can take a look here at alot of cool stuff to integrate....
http://www.hurricanehollow.org/
Thanks!
| pseabury |
| (Tourist) |
| 07/31/05 09:33 AM |
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Re: Tropical Data and NHC Storm Forecast Models
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Yes, those are the exact images I was testing out yesterday from http://cimss.ssec.wisc.edu . Not the best resolution, but as long as they aren't floaters, then we can use them. I'd also really like to lose the lat/lon lines in the images to make it look cleaner, but that's all I've found so far. I've got some stuff to do today outside the house, so I may not get to it until tonight or tomorrow, but keep an eye out for the next interation of the link.
Also, sorry if some of you had problems with the link and/or images last night through this morning. I was running the debug version of my program that builds the images and kml which wasn't the latest build. I had only rebuilt the release version with the latest changes. Anyway, it should be popping out the latest stuff now. I'll keep you posted.
| Bamastormchaser |
| (Tourist) |
| 07/31/05 09:41 AM |
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Re: Tropical Data and NHC Storm Forecast Models
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Updating fine here, Paul. Now, we need to find a way to integrate NHC watches/warnings into the program the way you have done with the models. Also when we get storms, a forecast cone would be SWEET! Heck, you could take out lots of other software with some additions like this! Keep up the good work.
| SoFlaChris |
| (Tourist) |
| 07/31/05 12:22 PM |
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Re: Tropical Data and NHC Storm Forecast Models
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Hi Paul,
Where is the latest placemark? Is it still in the first post?
TIA,
Chris
| pseabury |
| (Tourist) |
| 07/31/05 12:54 PM |
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Re: Tropical Data and NHC Storm Forecast Models
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Yessir....the network link in the original post will always get the latest stuff. I'm about to add some more imagery, and fix the problem where not all storms are included (read thread for details on this problem). If your GE Client complains about this network link, the reason is because I'm working on it. Please bear with me.
| SoFlaChris |
| (Tourist) |
| 07/31/05 03:10 PM |
Re: Tropical Data and NHC Storm Forecast Models
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Thanks, Paul. You're a peach...
| pseabury |
| (Tourist) |
| 07/31/05 05:23 PM |
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Re: Tropical Data and NHC Storm Forecast Models
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Ok, I've added some satellite views (IR, Enhanced IR, and Water Vapor) to the link. I've also changed the fetch logic in my program to do more than naively check the 00Z, 06Z, 12Z, and 18Z reports from NHC. It will check the latest 5 reports, and add all unique Atlantic storms from those reports (hopefully). I've had very little time to debug it, so I may run into a report that gives me a problem. Probably an empty one will do that......we'll have to see. Let me know if anyone has problems. I'll add the analyses imagery as soon as I have the time (wind shear, vorticity, etc).
Paully
| pseabury |
| (Tourist) |
| 08/01/05 05:57 PM |
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Re: Tropical Data and NHC Storm Forecast Models
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Added a legend for Sea Surface Temperature (SST). Also set default refreshVisibility for the link to off....that means that it should remember which layers you had turned on or off even when it refreshes. I think you need to re-download the link from the first post in this thread for that last change to take effect. Enjoy.
[EDIT] - Yes, please delete your old link and download the new one from the first post in this thread. Usually changes won't require this, but I actually changed some attributes/elements of the network link, so it is necessary.
I've also added the small portion of SST coverage near Long Island that was missing before. In addition to that, I put some various analyses into the link like wind shear, convergence, divergence, vorticity, etc. that many of you were asking for. I think it's pretty useful now. As always, tell me what else you want/need and I'll do my best to add it.
Paul
| pseabury |
| (Tourist) |
| 08/02/05 08:25 PM |
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Re: Tropical Data and NHC Storm Forecast Models
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Changes:
1.) Added new SST Overlay - Contoured SST. This one has less temperature resolution than the smooth one so that you can see the variation a little better. By default it's off and the Smooth one is on. Smooth one still looks nicer in my opinion.
2.) Fixed a logic error in the Storm model inclusion to fix the problem where old storms were still showing up. For instance, Invest(AL922005) was upgraded to Tropical depression Eight, but they were in fact the same storm and should not have shown up together. Logic still isn't perfect, if a storm hasn't been reported on in 12hrs, it is expired.
Paul
| rich60 |
| (Tourist) |
| 08/03/05 10:09 AM |
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Re: Tropical Data and NHC Storm Forecast Models
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Nice job.
| pseabury |
| (Tourist) |
| 08/03/05 08:53 PM |
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Re: Tropical Data and NHC Storm Forecast Models
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Thanks Rich, glad you enjoy it.
More Minor Changes:
1.) SST Colors are now centered on 5 degree increments as follows with smooth single channel transitions between them....
0C = Black (0,0,0)
5C = DkBlue (0,0,255)
10C = LtBlue (0,255,255)
15C = Green (0,255,0)
20C = Yellow (255,255,0)
25C = Red (255,0,0)
30C = Magenta (255,0,255)
35C = White (255,255,255)
And of course land is Transparent.
2.) The legend, the Smooth SST map, and the Contour SST map have all been updated to reflect these changes.
Paul
[EDIT] - White is (255,255,255) not (255,255,0) DUH! ... Thanks McShea
| rich60 |
| (Tourist) |
| 08/04/05 08:56 AM |
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Re: Tropical Data and NHC Storm Forecast Models
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Again, great job. I really appreciate this information. I live in S. Fl and had two direct hits from Francis and Jeanne last season. THis is the best visual tracking system out there.
Below link is a daily video tropical update provided by AccuWeather. Just click in the Accu Weather Tropical Outlook box to view video.
http://weather.net-waves.com/tropics.php
Thanks again
Rich
| hwwtdw |
| (Tourist) |
| 08/04/05 02:52 PM |
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Re: Tropical Data and NHC Storm Forecast Models
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First, let me say that the overlays are fantastic. Great work & thank you for them. Have you given any thought to adding watches and warnings or the infamous NHC cone of uncertainty aka their offical forecast track with margin of error? I didn't see this in the thread or any place else. If I missed it, I apologize. Thanks!!!
| pseabury |
| (Tourist) |
| 08/04/05 03:18 PM |
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Re: Tropical Data and NHC Storm Forecast Models
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I haven't found any reliable sources for the information that you mention. The data that I use right now has to meet a couple of requirements.....these may change in the future, but as of now this is what I need.
1.) Data/Images/Etc that are reliably available. That is, they are always located at the same URL or FTP directory.
2.) They must have some logic in regards to temporal description. Ie., the files must have some sort of naming comvention that indicates their age (2005080400Z.dat), or a file with a set name must be updated in place....ie, daily.dat must be replaced with fresh data regularly.
3.) If dealing with graphics, they must be geolocatable (in addition to the above). The view cannot change from one point in time to the next (NOAA Floater satellite views), unless they are geoencoded images. I've got to be able to tell GoogleEarth where to put these images, and if their view changes, then they won't be aligned properly in GE.
4.) Images must also be projected in a way that it is possible to align them in GE.
By all means, if anyone finds any other relevant data that fits the above, I'll be glad to add it. I search for new stuff regularly, but I'm only 1 person with limited time, so I may miss some good stuff.
Thanks for the kind words hwwtdw.
Paul
| Bamastormchaser |
| (Tourist) |
| 08/04/05 07:02 PM |
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Re: Tropical Data and NHC Storm Forecast Models
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You do any kind of sofware programming paul? Just out of curiosity. I might have a little project for ya if you do. AIM name is MissStateWXDawg and YIM is Bamastormchaser. Thanks.
| CapeVerde |
| (Tourist) |
| 08/05/05 12:47 PM |
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Re: NHC Track Forecast Models
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For some reason, the SST layer always defaults to being on when I have the NHC model layer selected. I'm not sure why.
CV
| pseabury |
| (Tourist) |
| 08/05/05 12:52 PM |
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Re: Tropical Data and NHC Storm Forecast Models
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Yes Bama,
As a matter of fact I'm a software engineer. Send me a private message with what you had in mind. I don't have a great deal of extra coding time outside of work, but it depends what you are looking for.
Paul
| pseabury |
| (Tourist) |
| 08/05/05 12:54 PM |
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Re: NHC Track Forecast Models
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I'll look into that CapeVerde. It very well may be a mistake on my part. God knows I create my fair share of bugs. Which SST Layer in particular? The whole SST Folder? The Smooth? The Contoured? Both Smooth and Contoured bu not root folder?
Paul
[EDIT] BTW Cape....are you using the old network link, or have you re-downloaded the new one from the first post in the thread?
| pseabury |
| (Tourist) |
| 08/05/05 03:30 PM |
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Re: Tropical Data and NHC Storm Forecast Models
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Changes :
1.) Added new SST Layer. SST 26+ shows sea surface temperatures 26C and greater, with everything else transparent. The resolution for this layer is higher still than the others at (34.5 - 26) / 350 = 0.024286 degrees per pixel.... albeit at a smaller temperature range, but a more interesting range (26+) for tropical weather. The resolution of the other SST overlays is approximately (34.5 - 0) / 350 = .1 degrees per pixel.
2.) Changed from 1 SST legend to one in each SST folder. This was necessary because the added 26+ legend was a different scale than the others.
As usual, report any errors.
Enjoy
| dadmap |
| (Tourist) |
| 08/05/05 09:41 PM |
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Re: Tropical Data and NHC Storm Forecast Models
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The following maps are nice from Intellicast
Surface analysis including Radar, Cloud Cover, Fronts, High and Low areas:
Jet Stream
Current Surface Analysis
Along with 300mb, 500mb & 800mb pictured here:
and lots more to choose from.
Hope these are helpful. Love what you have done so far!!
| pseabury |
| (Tourist) |
| 08/06/05 01:02 PM |
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Re: Tropical Data and NHC Storm Forecast Models
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Those are all very nice, but I'm not trying to cover the CONUS with this link, but rather the Tropical Atlantic, the Carribean, and the Gulf of Mexico. Thanks for the suggestions though.
Paul
| CapeVerde |
| (Tourist) |
| 08/08/05 12:05 PM |
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Re: NHC Track Forecast Models
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It was the smooth and the contoured level. Automatically check on whenever the NHC Track box was checked. The entire SST folder was not checked.
However, nothing seems to be working at all today, so maybe I'm using an outdated link. I'll try re-downloading it to see if that's the problem. Thanks.
| CapeVerde |
| (Tourist) |
| 08/08/05 12:22 PM |
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Re: NHC Track Forecast Models
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Thanks, that was EXACTLY the problem. Working like a charm now.
| pseabury |
| (Tourist) |
| 08/08/05 01:08 PM |
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Re: NHC Track Forecast Models
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No problem at all. Please DO let me know if you suspect something is broken, either in this thread, or a personal message.
Paul
| LynnA |
| (Tourist) |
| 08/08/05 02:11 PM |
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Re: NHC Track Forecast Models
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Cape Verde and Paul:
I am having the same problem even after d/l the newest version. Although SST is not checked, the default has them load. If I check and then uncheck, the SST's go away so it's not a big deal.
Also, none of the radar links are loading. I get an error message if I check any of them (Florida). ("could not load image" with reference to the noaa site which may be down).
Still love this thing and really appreciate all of the work you have down, Paul.
Lynn
| CapeVerde |
| (Tourist) |
| 08/08/05 02:47 PM |
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Re: NHC Track Forecast Models
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I'm getting the SSTs loading when I first fire up Google Earth with the new version. The folders aren't checked, but all the descendants are in the SST Smooth and the 26+ folders.
It turns out the newer version has more stuff, but it has more stuff to turn off.
It's stil the coolest layer for weatherbugs, but it's got a programming bug in there somewhere.
Cape Verde
| pseabury |
| (Tourist) |
| 08/08/05 03:16 PM |
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Re: NHC Track Forecast Models
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Lynne,
I'm looking into why the analysis folder's item's aren't available. Not a bug on my part (surprise), but it seems that the source is temporarily unavailable. Hopefully temporarily.......the images themselve's still exist, but their system must have a problem because it's putting no data into them. I'll keep an eye on it.
Paul
| pseabury |
| (Tourist) |
| 08/08/05 03:17 PM |
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Re: NHC Track Forecast Models
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CapeVerde,
I definitely forgot to put a <visibility /> tag into the kml for each of those SST images....so it's my fault...sorry
. Anyway, is there one of those SST variations that y'all would like to be on by default while I'm fixing this, or do you wan't them all off?Paul
| pseabury |
| (Tourist) |
| 08/08/05 04:12 PM |
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Re: NHC Track Forecast Models
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Changes:
1.) SST Smooth (entire Folder) is by default ON, and the other SST overlays are defaulted to OFF.
2.) Network link changed to kmz rather than kml. The compressed kmz saves about 90% of the transfer size for the kml only. (@64KB vs. @5KB)
The new network link is attached to this post and will be updated in the first post in a minute or two. Both of these changes should be pretty transparent., although I'd prefer if you'd delete the old link from your "My Places" and download the new link to cut the network transfer size down a bit. I will continue to support both the kml and kmz links. The content of both is identical, only the size of the file is different.
Paul
[EDIT] - I seem to have screwed up the kmz.....stay tuned and continue using the kml link from the first post in this thread. I'm removing this link temporarily.
[EDIT2] - OK, think I have the kmz fixed now. Was encoding the kml us-ascii instead of the proper utf-8.
[EDIT3] - Dangit, I think my server doesn't respond with the proper MIME type now....here we go again. Attachment removed again temporarily...use the link from the first post.
| CapeVerde |
| (Tourist) |
| 08/09/05 01:06 PM |
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Re: NHC Track Forecast Models
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I'd prefer all the SST layers to be off by default because it's like stepping back into the psychedilic 1960s when I fire up Google Earth and the layer is on.
It's a very valuable tool, but one that I'd only leave on for a few minutes at a time.
CV
| dadmap |
| (Tourist) |
| 08/09/05 03:33 PM |
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Re: NHC Track Forecast Models
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Quote:
I'd prefer all the SST layers to be off by default because it's like stepping back into the psychedilic 1960s when I fire up Google Earth and the layer is on.
It's a very valuable tool, but one that I'd only leave on for a few minutes at a time.
CV
Yes...me too please. GE has been locking up on me everytime I open it since you made that change.
Thanks!
| pseabury |
| (Tourist) |
| 08/09/05 03:42 PM |
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Re: NHC Track Forecast Models
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Yeah sorry guys...I was in the process of changing the format of the link from kml to kmz when I ran into some problems. First problem was I was encoding the xml with ascii instead of utf-8. Second problem was I had to wait for my web host to add the kml and kmz MIME types to my server. Kml seems to work fine MIME'd as text/plain, but kmz definitely needs the new MIME types. Third, the client that aggregates all of the data, constructs the images, and generates the kml/kmz is on my home machine....after it generates all the data, it uploads it to my real web host......except when my connection was fubared all day long. That too, is now resolved. Look for the default OFF SST (all of them) and the kmz instead of kml in the next 20 mins or so.
Thanks so much for the feedback...that's exactly what I want you guys to tell me when you don't like something.
Paully
| pseabury |
| (Tourist) |
| 08/09/05 03:52 PM |
| View in Google Earth |
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Re: NHC Track Forecast Models
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I wasn't around in the 60's, so I guess I wasn't feeling your pain.
Anyway, the new kmz link is attached to this post ONLY for now (test it for a bit). The same exact changes are in the old kml link as well. The only thing defaulted to ON right now are the model forecasts. I also made a slight revision in the model logic that better removes old/duplicate storms.Paul
| CapeVerde |
| (Tourist) |
| 08/11/05 01:11 PM |
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Re: NHC Track Forecast Models
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Hey, it looks like it's fixed!!
Outstanding job!!!!
Cape Verde
| pseabury |
| (Tourist) |
| 08/11/05 08:18 PM |
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Re: NHC Track Forecast Models
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Thanks Cape. As always, I'm working on some new stuff, and making the stuff that's already there hopefully better. Keep letting me know what you do / don't like. Here's a couple of things that I'm thinking about.
1.) Steering Currents overlay into the Analysis folder.
2.) 3 and 7 day SST Change to SST Folder (more 60's colors
) This is kinda cool to look at the wakes of storms. Maybe something I won't include in the link if you guys don't want it.3.) Upper Ocrean Heat Content in kJ / cm^2. This is useful for showing how much energy the ocean has rather than just its surface temp. It's probably a better indication of potential strengthening areas of interest. Thicker layers of warm water have more energy than thin layers of hot water. I haven't found the data source I want for this yet.
4.) Wind Cone Forecast (for lack of a better term). This would probably require a lot of work since I may have to make this from raw data and break out my statistics book.
Also, I've already used a couple of gigs of bandwidth this month....I have plenty to go around, but would rather folks update their links to the KMZ from the KML as the KML accounts for about 60% of my bandwidth. I've seen an issue where some versions of the client doesn't like the KMZ (no subfolders show up), but if your's works with KMZ please switch. Again, the data in both is identical, KMZ is just compressed.
Link to KMZ
Link to KML
Paul
| pseabury |
| (Tourist) |
| 08/12/05 09:22 PM |
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Re: NHC Track Forecast Models
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Changes:
1.) Added 7day SST Delta.
2.) Added 3day SST Delta.
These are useful for seeing how much the SST changes over time. It's also kinda cool to see how much heat a storm can suck out of the ocean. These were more for me just as entertainment, and I'll remove them if you guys don't want them there. Steering Currents should come tomorrow.
Remember, KMZ if you can...KML only if your version of the client doesn't work with the KMZ. I think after the next version of the client, I'll support KMZ only, so heads-up. As the size of the link increases, the KMZ gets a bigger efficiency advantage. Right now it's at about 57KB vs. 4KB (14x difference).
Paully
| Solo_Barradas |
| (Tourist) |
| 08/13/05 08:39 AM |
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Re: Live Tropical Data and NHC Storm Forecast Models
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Excelent Job.
| pseabury |
| (Tourist) |
| 08/13/05 09:43 AM |
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Re: Live Tropical Data and NHC Storm Forecast Mode
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Thanks Solo, appreciate it.
Changes:
1.) Added Mean Steering Layer to Analysis Folder.
| hwwtdw |
| (Tourist) |
| 08/16/05 03:38 PM |
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Re: Live Tropical Data and NHC Storm Forecast Mode
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I really like this creation of yours! Thanks again.
I am one of those users who can't get the KMZ to work. All I get is a heading with your name on it, no subfolders just like you said you've seen. Any suggestions for getting a better client? I subscribed to GE Plus but no luck. I would really like to comply and help cut down the bandwidth onslaught.
Thanks for all your efforts.
| pseabury |
| (Tourist) |
| 08/17/05 07:42 PM |
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Re: Live Tropical Data and NHC Storm Forecast Mode
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hwwtdw,
Yeah, I still haven't had time to fully investigate why the kmz doesn't work for some clients, but I should have time this weekend. I just appreciate that you gave it a try at least, that's all I can ask for now. My bandwidth should be ok for the time being, and probably will after the hurricane season is over....and maybe I'll figure it out this weekend. I'll keep y'all posted.
Also, I had a loooong day today and saw that my app had crashed at some point during the day today, so I apologize if that was an annoyance for some of you....I usually keep a fairly close eye on it during the day. It's one of those great
Quote:
"xxx.exe has caused a problem and needs to be closed. Please contact your support team..."
Well, I am the support team, so that doesn't help me very much Mr. Microsoft. Hopefully we'll have some nice storms to watch in the coming week.....TD 10 looks more promising now.
Paul
| CapeVerde |
| (Tourist) |
| 08/26/05 09:29 AM |
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Re: Live Tropical Data and NHC Storm Forecast Models
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Would it be possible to add or replace some of the hurricane models that are displayed?
I would sure like to see the UKMET, GFS, and GFDL model runs, and I wouldn't care if I never saw the A98E model ever again since it has such a terrible time forecasting tropical weather systems.
Your dynamic layer is such an awesome tool this time of year. Fantastic.
Cape Verde
| pseabury |
| (Tourist) |
| 08/26/05 02:04 PM |
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Re: Live Tropical Data and NHC Storm Forecast Mode
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Hey Cape,
Anything's possible. It's just a matter of finding a nice source of that data. One of the wunderground meteorologists gave me some links for those other models, but they weren't in the same format as the ones I currently use. I need to spend a good day or 2 really cleaning up the code, and possibly adding some new stuff, but I've been working on a new pet project recently. The ones I have currently included are the official NHC ones that they make public via their FTP. I was surprised to see that getting access to some of this data was restricted and/or a pay service. I'll definitely look into the UKMET one in the next couple of days (probably not soon enough for katrina though) because even I am frustrated that it's not currently included. Just keep your fingers crossed that I can find the data in a reliable format.
Paully
| CapeVerde |
| (Tourist) |
| 08/27/05 08:48 AM |
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Re: Live Tropical Data and NHC Storm Forecast Mode
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Thanks, my friend. You're doing a service with your efforts that can't be underestimated. Your layer can and will save lives and as more Americans discover Google Earth, the impact can only increase.
CV
| TheSHAD0W |
| (Explorer) |
| 08/28/05 08:53 AM |
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Request - basic data only
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Could you please publish a KMZ containing only the model forecasts and not including the SST, Satellite Images or Analysis? I'd really appreciate it.
| thobie1 |
| (Tourist) |
| 08/28/05 01:55 PM |
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Re: Request - basic data only
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All you have to do is de-select the features you don't want. It works fine. By the way, this is an amazing addition to GE. Great work!
| bkdelong |
| (Explorer) |
| 08/28/05 02:25 PM |
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Re: Live Tropical Data and NHC Storm Forecast Mode
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Anyone else having issues loading the Sat images from TheSHADOW's folder of this Network Link? They just seem to keep saying "loading". I've tried refreshing a few times but I don't want to completely overload the source.
Also looks like the GIF file from wisc.edu for Analysis > Mid Upper WV & IR Winds is giving intermittant load errors.
Is there alternative data sources to account for network overload?
| pseabury |
| (Tourist) |
| 08/28/05 02:50 PM |
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Re: Live Tropical Data and NHC Storm Forecast Mode
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Unfortuantely.....those are THE premier sources for that data. Their servers are just being overloaded. There's not much I can do at this time...sorry. I've still got family in New Orleans that I'm trying to get information on as they will not be leaving. With that in mind, I will not be making any updates to this link during this storm. I will make sure that it stays up though.
Paul
| bkdelong |
| (Explorer) |
| 08/28/05 03:07 PM |
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Re: Live Tropical Data and NHC Storm Forecast Mode
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Understood. I wish you and yours a very safe ride through this unprescedented storm.
| TheSHAD0W |
| (Explorer) |
| 08/28/05 08:51 PM |
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Re: Request - basic data only
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The problem is, I want to be able to enable it w/ a single checkmark for a parent directory, and have it disabled most of the time. As it is, I have to open it up and check the features I want, then go through and uncheck them to clear it. Checking the parent winds up enabling EVERYTHING.
| pseabury |
| (Tourist) |
| 08/30/05 08:07 PM |
Re: NHC Track Forecast Models
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Katrina's cold water wake. 3 day delta.
| CapeVerde |
| (Tourist) |
| 08/31/05 11:33 AM |
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Re: NHC Track Forecast Models
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WOW!
| pseabury |
| (Tourist) |
| 09/07/05 05:10 PM |
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Re: NHC Track Forecast Models
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Hey Guys,
I'm out of town until next Tuesday, so I won't have any time for upgrading/improving, and very little time to check in on my app in case it needs some babysitting. I do have some limited capability as long as my PC at home stays up (ie. no power loss) to restart and check in on it, but not nearly as regularly as usual. Best bet is to fire me an email if you know it, or post here if something goes awry.
Paully
| Frank4 |
| (Master Blogger) |
| 09/10/05 10:39 AM |
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Re: NHC Track Forecast Models
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Paul,
The hurricane models are not updating apparently. They are still showing 9/8/05 as the most recent update.
| jptheriot |
| (Tourist) |
| 09/10/05 04:16 PM |
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Re: NHC Track Forecast Models
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Paul,
It also appears the SST is not updating.
This tool is by far the best I have found for GE. Many thanks for your efforts.
Jp - jptheriot@charter.net
| pseabury |
| (Tourist) |
| 09/11/05 01:40 PM |
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Re: NHC Track Forecast Models
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Sorry guys, my app took a dump and I'm away on vacation. I just got to a place with internet access and restarted it.....so hopefully it's good to go now. I'll check again tonight. Again, my apologies.
Paul
| jptheriot |
| (Tourist) |
| 09/12/05 08:02 PM |
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Re: NHC Track Forecast Models
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Paul,
Was working again today.
Thanks,
Jp
| bkdelong |
| (Explorer) |
| 09/19/05 05:37 PM |
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Re: Live Tropical Data and NHC Storm Forecast Mode
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Hey Paul -
For some reason Rita has disappeared from the list. Any ideas why?
Also, you did ask for more suggestions....how about tracking ALL the computer models? Maybe allow people to select and deselect which ones they want:
http://hurricane.methaz.org/hurapak/AAL182005_perf.html
http://hurricane.methaz.org/hurapak/AAL182005_rawp.html
Why don't you/we add Eastern Pacific Cyclones.....or Cyclones across the world?
We have the data:
http://severe.worldweather.org/
If you're worried about hosting bandwidth, I can help find you a reliable location.
Now I'm going to ask some stupid questions....being a newbie to weather. Are there Maps/Views of the Tropical Waves being discussed here:
http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/text/MIATWDAT.shtml?
| bkdelong |
| (Explorer) |
| 09/19/05 05:59 PM |
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Re: Live Tropical Data and NHC Storm Forecast Mode
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OK....Rita is back. *sigh*. Was gone for the last hour or so.
| dadmap |
| (Tourist) |
| 09/19/05 08:47 PM |
Re: Live Tropical Data and NHC Storm Forecast Mode
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She passed through the Bermuda Triangle and we lost her for a bit...but she made it out alive...;-)
| pseabury |
| (Tourist) |
| 09/20/05 07:04 AM |
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Re: Live Tropical Data and NHC Storm Forecast Mode
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If Rita Dissapeared, I don't know why.....but have some theories. Either she dissapeared from the most recent NHC data for a bit, or my app made her dissapear for a bit unexpectedly.
I do welcome the suggestions, and I already have a list of things that I'd like to modify/add...but as always time for coding it is the biggest issue for me.
1.) Add UKMET, GFS, NOGAPS models. Dr. Masters pointed me in the right direction for these.
2.) Add track history in addition to track prediction.
3.) Expand to other Ocean basins.
4.) Cripple the kml feed to force folks to use the kmz.
5.) Add storm discussion and any other relevant data .
I'm expecting some time this weekend, so we'll see how it goes.
| bkdelong |
| (Explorer) |
| 09/20/05 08:24 AM |
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Re: Live Tropical Data and NHC Storm Forecast Mode
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Quote:
1.) Add UKMET, GFS, NOGAPS models. Dr. Masters pointed me in the right direction for these.
2.) Add track history in addition to track prediction.
3.) Expand to other Ocean basins.
4.) Cripple the kml feed to force folks to use the kmz.
I'm expecting some time this weekend, so we'll see how it goes.
I'd be happy to setup a CVS server if you'd like additional trusted people to help develop this app. The worldwide cyclone app by glooten seems to do history VERY well.
| ChrisGaeth |
| (Tourist) |
| 09/20/05 09:33 AM |
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Re: Live Tropical Data and NHC Storm Forecast Mode
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Paul,
I think you have done a great job with this. Talk about showcasing what a great tool Google Earth is. Keep up the good work. I see that you already plan to add the historic track to the active storms. I do have another question for you. When you get the data feed from NOAA is it possible to link to the storm discussion or advisory that goes along with the location?
Chris
| pseabury |
| (Tourist) |
| 09/20/05 04:56 PM |
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Re: Live Tropical Data and NHC Storm Forecast Mode
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I'll add that to my list and look into it. I'm working on the link right now, and will post a follow-up in just a minute. And thank you.
Paul
| pseabury |
| (Tourist) |
| 09/20/05 05:03 PM |
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Re: Live Tropical Data and NHC Storm Forecast Mode
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Ok, with all of the activity in the Atlantic and the Gulf, I have to stop being nice by just hoping that people will use the kmz instead of the kml. So here's what I've done.
1.) Not changed the kmz network link.
2.) Crippled the kml link by displaying a single Placemark that shows you how to use the kmz instead.
Now, I didn't want to do this at first, because it seemed that some versions of the GE client didn't like the kmz link very much. I'm hoping that all the subsequent versions have fixed that problem, and urge you to update to the latest version if you indeed have this problem. Other than that, my thinking was that it's better to be able to provide this info to those that are willing/able to use the kmz link rather than to not be able to provide it at all. Like I've said before, the Kmz provides identical functionality to the kml, so it should be transparent to those familiar with this Network Link. I'm actually upgrading my client as I type this because the version I had didn't play nice with the kmz network link, so keep your fingers crossed.
I probably need to eat something before the night is over, but I'm looking at a couple of the other things on my list above to see if I can squeeze them in tonight.
Paully
| dd2020 |
| (Tourist) |
| 09/20/05 06:47 PM |
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Re: Live Tropical Data and NHC Storm Forecast Models
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How is the possibility if we can have the storm images shown on googleearth?
May be atleast updated every 2-4 hours......
I'm just curious....but don't have much idea.
So..thank for reading.
