sfcplot
Sections
NAME
sfcplot - Surface data plotting
SYNOPSIS
sfcplot [parameters...] filename
PARAMETERS
| Command Line | Resource | Default | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| -h | help | No | Lists basic help information. |
| -df=filename | default | wxp.cfg | Sets the name of the resource file. |
| -na=name | name | sfcplot | Specifies the name used in resource file parsing. |
| -me=level | message | out2 | Specifies level of messages to be displayed
|
| -fp=path | file_path | the current directory | Specifies location of database files. |
| -dp=path | data_path | the current directory | Specifies the location of the input raw data files. |
| -cp=path | con_path | the current directory | Specifies the location (path) of the input surface converted data files. This may be modified in the name convention file. |
| -gp=path | grid_path | the current directory | Specifies location of gridded output files from WXP. |
| -rp=path | raw_path | the current directory | Specifies location of output raw files generated by WXP. |
| -ip=path | image_path | the current directory | Specifies location of output image files (.gif/,png) from WXP. |
| -cf=filename | city_file | sao.cty | Specifies the name of the city database file |
| -mf=filename... | map_file | wxp.map | Specifies the name of the map database file. Multiple maps can be specified along with attributes to describe how to draw the map. |
| -in=input | input | program specific | Specifies the type of the input data. |
| -ou=output | output | program specific | Specifies the output of the program. |
| -nc=name_conv | name_conv | name.cnv or name_conv file | This sets which name convention file to use. |
| -if=in_file | in_file | program specific | Specifies the input file name tag. |
| -of=out_file | out_file | program specific | Specifies the output file name tag. |
| -cu=[hour] | current | none | This specifies to use current data files. |
| -ho=hour | hour | none | Specifies the exact hour that a data file is valid for. |
| -nh=hours[,skip] | num_hour | Value Generally 0 | Specifies the number of hours worth of data to use in the program |
| -tz=zone_name | timezone | UTC | Sets timezone used in date labels |
| -pd=domain | plot_domain | program dependent, mostly "us" | Sets the plotting domain |
| -gd=domain | grid_domain | Same as the plot domain | Specifies the output grid domain |
| -pr=prior | stat_prior | Plot size dependent | Specifies the station priority to use in filtering stations on the plot |
| -vf=file | var_file | none | Sets the name of the variable file |
| -va=variable | variable | none | Sets the parameter/variable to be displayed |
| -oa=filter[,radinf][,passes][,converg][,min_stats] | object_param | program dependent |
Specifies the objective analysis parameters |
| -ci=value | con_interval | 0 | Specifies the contour interval to use in contouring grids. This can also be used to color code plotted data and vectors. |
| -cb=value | con_base | lowest contour value, max wind speed or 0 depending on application | Specifies the base value for color fill contours, and wind speed per grid distance. |
| -pl=type | plot_type | Program dependent, normally user prompt | Sets the type of output plot |
| -sc=type | plot_scale | 1.0 | Specifies a scaling factor for all plotted text, symbols, vectors, etc. |
| -fm=format | format | None | Specifies the output format of data. |
| -pa=param[,param...] | parameter | none | Specifies addition parameters to program. |
| -dr=value[,value...] | draw | all | Specifies which part of the plot is to be drawn. |
| -la=type | label | Program defaults | Specifies the labels to be plotted around the plot. By default, labels are generated by the program and plotted above and below the plot. This resource overrides these labels. |
| -fl=font_file[,font_file...] | font_list | modern.fnt | Specifies a list of fonts to use in the plots. |
| -ct=color_table | color_table | wxp.clr | Specifies the color table to use in the plot. This maps color names to actual RGB color values. |
| -cod=color[:attribute...] | color_data | green (for most programs) | Specifies the color for plotted data. |
| -cof=[value:]color[:attribute...],[value:]color[:attribute...],... -cof=filename |
color_fill | magenta, lmagenta, blue, lblue, cyan, lcyan, green, lgreen, brown, yellow, red, lred, dgray, lgray, white | Specifies the colors in the color fill contours. |
| -com=color[:attribute...] | color_map | red (for most programs) | Specifies the color for background maps. |
| -cog=color[:attribute...] | color_grid | red (for most programs) | Specifies the color and attributes for background grids |
| -coll=color[:attribute...] | color_latlon | magenta:st=dsh | Specifies the color for lat/lon lines. |
| -col=color[:attribute...] | color_label | white (black on inverse plots) | Specifies the text color for labels above and below the plot. |
| -coco=color[:attribute...] | color_cont | white (black on inverse plots) | Specifies color for line contours |
| -cocl=color[:attribute...] | color_clabel | white (black on inverse plots) | Specifies color for line contour labels. |
| -cofl=color[:attribute...] | color_flabel | black | Specifies color for color fill contour labels |
| -cofm=color[:attribute...] | color_fmap | black | Specfies the map color for color fill plots. |
| -cogr=color[:attribute...] | color_fgrid | red (for most programs) | Specifies color for grids on color fill plots |
| -de=device[,parameters] | device | d for display | Specifies the output device. |
| -ge=widthxheight[+x+y] | geometry | 640x512 (for windowed plots) | Specifies the window and paper geometry. |
| -ti=title | title | The name of the program or the value of the name resource | Specifies the window title. |
| -ic | icon | off | Specifies whether to open window in iconified mode. |
| -bg=color | background | black | Specifies the background color of the window. |
| -iv | inverse | off | Specifies an inverse window background (white) |
| -lo=type | logo | none | Adds a logo to the image |
| filename (positional) | filename | none | Specify input filename |
DESCRIPTION
This program plots surface data on a background map. The input to the program is a surface converted file produced by the prog:sfcdec program. Then, based on a resrc:plot_domain and a variable selected by the user, a plot is generated. Overlay plots, contour plots and loops can also be generated if the appropriate variable options are set.
The programs requires three pieces of information:
- input data file
- region to plot
- variable to plot
The user may specify the input file either via the command line or through the resrc:current resource. The default is the latest file available. The input naming convention is specified by the sfc_cvt tag but this can be changed with the resrc:in_file resource. To generate a loop, the resrc:num_hour resource can be specified. This will tell the program to loop through this number of hours.
The region to plot is specified by the resrc:plot_domain resource. If none is specified, it defaults to the contiguous US. The domain can be interactively changed once the plot has been generated.
After the region has been set, the city database is read in and a cross-reference table is setup. Since converted data is not saved with location information, the program will refer to this table to location each station in the input file.
The variable to plot is specified with the resrc:variable resource. Some variables are internal to the program and more complicated plots can be specified with the variable resource or using the variables specified in the sfcplot.var file. The internal variables are:
| Variable | Description and units | Plots |
|---|---|---|
| city | Station ID | string |
| temp | Temperature (F) | value |
| ttd | Temperature and dewpoint (F) | value0=temp, value1=dewp |
| dewp | Dewpoint (F) | value |
| dewd | Dewpoint depression (F) | value |
| wdir | Wind direction (deg) | value |
| wspd | Wind speed (knt) | value |
| wgst | Wind gust (knt) | value |
| wbrbc wbrb wind |
Wind speed and direction (knt) | value0=dir, value1=spd |
| uwnd | U wind component - EW relative (m/s) | value |
| vwnd | V wind component - NS relative (m/s) | value |
| uwndg | U wind component - grid relative (m/s) | value |
| vwndg | V wind component - grid relative (m/s) | value |
| alt | Altimeter setting (in_Hg) | value |
| pres | Sea level pressure (mb) use level parameter to get station/surface pressure | value |
| pralt | Sea level pressure or altimeter setting if sea level pressure is missing (mb) | value |
| elev | Station elevation (m) | value |
| wx | Present weather (SAO string) | string |
| vis | Visibility (mi) | value, formatted string |
| cldcl | Cloud ceiling (100 ft), string is "" for clear skies, value is 500 for clear | value, formatted string |
| cldclc | Cloud ceiling code (from synoptic code 0-9) | value |
| cldcv | Cloud cover (cloud string: C,F,S,O,X,0-8), converted to % for contouring. | value=%, string |
| ptend | Pressure tendency (mb) | value, string=trend code |
| prec | Precipitation (in) use time parameter to specify which type (3,6,12,24 hour) | value |
| extt | Extreme temperature (F) uses maximum if
available, else minimum. Use time parameter to specify which type (6,24 hour) |
value |
| maxt | Maxmium temperature (F) use time parameter to specify which type (6,24 hour) | value |
| mint | Minimum temperature (F) use time parameter to specify which type (6,24 hour) | value |
| snwdp | Snow depth (in) | value |
| nlcld | Amount of low clouds (code string) | value=%, string=code |
| lcld | Low cloud type (code string) | string |
| mcld | Middle cloud type (code string) | string |
| hcld | High cloud type (code string) | string |
| solar | Equivalent solar radiation (min) | value |
| sst | Sea surface temperature (C) | value |
| wavper | Wave period (sec) | value |
| wavhgt | Wave height (m) | value |
| vpres | Vapor pressure (mb) | value |
| svpres | Saturation vapor pressure (mb) | value |
| wchilt | Wind chill temperature (K) | value |
| wchilf | Wind chill factor (W/m^2) | value |
| heat | Heat index (K) | value |
| humit | Humiture (F) | value |
| mrat | Mixing ratio (g/kg) | value |
| smrat | Saturation mixing ration (g/kg) | value |
| shum | Specific humidity (g/kg) | value |
| rhum | Relative humidity (%) | value |
| wetblb | Wetbulb temperature (K) | value |
| thetaw | Wetbulb potential temperature (K) | value |
| thetae | Equivalent potential temperature (K) | value |
| thetav | Virtual potential temperature (K) | value |
| theta | Potential temperature (K) | value |
| vtemp | Virtual temperature (K) | value |
| fr | Flight rules (number and string: ) | value=0, string=VFR value=1, string=MVFR value=2, string=IFR value=3, string=LIFR |
| front | Fronts (special plot type) |
These parameters can be accessed by name if they have not been redefined
in the sfcplot.var file. Otherwise, prepending a "+" to the
variable name will guarantee these variables will appear. Also, time can be
specified for use with precipitation (anal-6acc::prec::%.2f
with give 6 hour precipitation).
There are several derived variables from this list which are defined in the sfcplot.var file. These include composite plots, overlay plots and computed grids.
| Variable | Description | Plots |
|---|---|---|
| all | All data, a composite plot of temperature, dewpoint, sea level pressure, cloud cover, winds and present weather. | comp |
| allc | Same as all except temperatures in celcius. | comp |
| full | All data, a more complete station model plot of station ID, temperature, dewpoint, sea level pressure, cloud cover, winds, present weather, visibility, pressure tendency (value+symbol), cloud ceiling (code), low, medium, high cloud symbols | comp |
| fullc | Same as all except temperatures in celcius. | comp |
| depict | Weather depiction plot including flight rules (contoured), cloud cover, cloud ceiling and present weather. | comp |
| wind | A vector quantity of <uwndg,vwndg> | vector |
| vect | Wind vector plot | vector |
| strm | Streamline plot | vector |
| pres | Sea level pressure (mb) to 1 decimal place | value |
| spres | Station pressure (mb) to 1 decimal place | value |
| alt | Altimeter setting (in_Hg) to 2 decimal places | value |
| lmhcd | Composite plot of low, medium and high cloud types as symbols | comp |
| ptend | Pressure tendency (mb) | value |
| ptype | Pressure tendency trend as a symbol | symbol |
| prec6 | 6 hour precipitation (in) to 2 decimal places | value |
| prec12 | 12 hour precipitation (in) to 2 decimal places | value |
| prec24 | 24 hour precipitation (in) to 2 decimal places | value |
| maxt | 24 hour maximum temperature (F) | value |
| mint | 24 hour minimum temperature (F) | value |
| maxt6 | 6 hour maximum temperature (F) | value |
| mint6 | 6 hour minimum temperature (F) | value |
| fr | Flight rules plotted as text (VFR, MVFR, IFR) | text |
| mrat | Mixing ratio (g/kg) to 1 decimal place | value |
| shum | Specific humidity (g/kg) to 1 decimal place | value |
| conv | Wind convergence (/s) positive is convergence | grid |
| mconv | Moisture convergence (/s) | grid |
| rvort | Relative vorticity (/s) | grid |
| avort | Absolute voriticty (/s) | grid |
| tadv | Temperature advection (K/s) | grid |
| madv | Moisture advection (/s) | grid |
| vadv | Vortcity advection (/s^2) | grid |
The program will now open the graphics window and start processing the data. The converted file is opened and data read in. A background map will be plotted first, Any additional computations are performed and the data are plotted. An overlay map will plotted if the plot type is color fill. If a simple plot is specified such as "temp", the data will be plotted to the nearest whole number unless formatted with the resrc:format resource. Composite plots can either be specified with the variable resource (.var file, resource file, command line). The resrc:variable resource allows the user to control much of the data formatting.
When the plot is complete, output can be saved to a GIF image file, spooled to the printer or the plot can be zoomed. When zooming the image, the plot will redraw to the new domain. It will also add more stations to the plot depending on the size of the domain. When the user is finished with the plot, the enter key can be hit which closes the window and returns the user to the variable prompt.
Contour/Vector Plots
By default, this program plots data but it can produce grids that can either be contoured or plotted as vectors or streamlines. By specifying the resrc:plot_type resource to a contour or vector type, the program will generate gridded fields rather than plotting the data. The gridding process uses an objective analysis scheme to produce the grids. The parameters for this process are specified in the resrc:object_param resource. Once the grids have been created, the maximum and minimum of the grid are displayed for the user to pick an appropriate contour interval. Then, the contour or vector plot will display in much the same fashion as for the data plot.
There are several plot types. For contour plots, there is:
- ln - line contours
- dln - dashed line contours
- ndln - negative dashed line contours. All contours less than 0 are dashed. The breakoff can be reset with the con_base resource.
- cf - color fill contours. These are contours where the areas between the contour lines are filled with a progressive color scheme. By default, this is a 15 color scale in which the colors wrap around if there are more than 15 color level. The color scheme can be set by the color_fill resource.
For vectors:
- vect -- vectors/arrows
- strm -- streamlines
- barb -- wind barbs
Output Files
By default, this program does not produce output files. If a raw or grid file output is desired, use the resrc:output resource to enable this. By default, this will create a WXP binary raw or grid file depending on the plot type. The out_file can be a filename, a file tag (lookup in file name convention file) or a name convention (with wildcards). The output can be GIF file by specifying gif as the file type. It may be desirable to turn plotting of when producing output files. To do this, specify none for the plot_type resource.
EXAMPLES
sfcplot -pd=mw -va=all
This plots a surface composite plot containing temperature, dewpoint, pressure, clouds, winds and weather for the midwest region.sfcplot -pd=mw -va=temp -ou=raw -pl=none
This will generate raw file based on the sfc_raw name convention. A specific filename can be used instead of raw.sfcplot -pd=mw -va=temp -pl=cf -ci=2
This will produce a contour plot of temperature. Without the "-pl=cf", the program will just plot the temperature data.
FILES
- sao.cty - the surface station location database file
- sfcplot.var - variable menu and definitions
SEE ALSO
Last updated December 2013