soundplot

Sections

NAME
SYNOPSIS
PARAMETERS
DESCRIPTION
EXAMPLES
FILES
SEE ALSO

NAME

soundplot - Upper air and model data sounding plotting

SYNOPSIS

soundplot [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	the program name	Specifies the name used in resource file parsing.
-me=level	message	out2	Specifies level of messages to be displayed out3 - sounding data
-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 location of decoded/converted data files
-ip=path	image_path	the current directory	Specifies location of output image files (.gif/,png) from WXP.
-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.
-mo=model	model	None	Sets the input forecast model
-ft=time	time	init	Sets forecast time
-id=ident[,ident...]	identifier	None	Specifies the station or location to use. If a 4 letter station identifier is specified, its location is queried from sao.cty database. A specific latitude and longitude can be specified as lat,lon.
-pd=domain	plot_domain	program dependent, mostly "us"	Sets the plotting domain
-pl=type	plot_type	skewt	Specifies the type of output thermodynamic plot: skewt -- Skew T log P diagram ema -- Emagram stuve -- Stuve diagram hodo -- Hodogram none -- for no 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.
-col=color[:attribute...]	color_label	white (black on inverse plots)	Specifies the text color for labels above and below the plot.
-cod=color[:attribute...]	color_data	green (for most programs)	Specifies the color for plotted data.
-cog=color[:attribute...]	color_grid	blue, blue, green, cyan, yellow	This resource is used to specify the color and attributes for the thermodynamic plot. There are 5 possible values: pressure lines (default blue) temperature lines (default blue) potential temperature lines -- dry adiabats (default green) equivalent potential temperature lines -- moist adiabats (default cyan) mixing ratio lines (default yellow or brown on inverse color plots)
-copa=color[:attribute...]	color_parcel	yellow	Specifies the color for parcel lines on soundings
-de=device[,parameters]	device	d for display	Specifies the output device.
-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.
-ge=widthxheight[+x+y]	geometry	640x512 (for windowed plots)	Specifies the window and paper geometry.
filename (positional)	filename	none	Specify input filename

This program plots upper air soundings from either rawinsondes or model data. The output is either a thermodynamic diagram or hodograph. If the res:model resource is specified, it will derive a sounding from model data. Otherwise, it will use upper air rawinsonde data. If rawinsonde data is specified, the res:identifier resource is used to specify the sounding location. For model data, this is either a location specified by a 4 letter identifier or a latitude and longitude separated by a comma. The 4 letter identifier is searched from the sao.cty file for location information.

href="../Resources/model.html">model resource. The specified string is first looked up in the model.lup file which cross-references the file to a file naming convention.

The programs starts off by prompting the user for input grid file name. The list of available grid files is based on the file name convention which is dependent on the model type and the file name tag associated with it. The tag can be specifically changed with the in_file resource. The user may specify the input file either via the command line of through the current resource.

Next, the program prompts the user for the forecast time. This is done through a forecast time menu which is specified in the grbsnd.tim file. Remember, each model type has a specific set of valid forecast times which is defined in the time file. Because of the breadth of models available, not all of the model types will be covered. Even though a menu does not list an appropriate time, it is still accessible be specifically stating the time on either the command line or at the menu prompt.

Next, the user enters a station identifier. If a station identifier is specified, its location is queried from sao.cty database. A specific latitude and longitude can be specified as lat,lon.

Once the station is selected, the program retrieves the grids from the model file. These include temperature, relative humidity, U and V wind components and height for all levels from 1000 mb to 100 mb. For most models, this data is available every 50 mb. The data is then interpolated to the station location and a sounding is constructed.

Once the sounding is available, the program prints out sounding information, and standard sounding parameters and indices.

Text Output

The first section is the station location information which is printed at message level out1a:

Date: 24 hour ETA valid  0Z WED  1 OCT 97
Station: KIND
Latitude:   39.73
Longitude: -86.27

The next section is the raw sounding data. This is a merged set of mandatory and significant level data. Additional computations are performed. Here is a list of the columns printed (all printed at mess level out1a [see red text] unless specified)

LEV -- level number. Special levels are denoted with SFC (surface), TRP (tropopause), WND (max wind).
PRES -- pressure of level in mb
HGHT -- geopotential height in m (intermediate levels interpolated using hypsometric approximation)
TEMP -- temperature in C
DEWP -- dewpoint in C
RH -- relative humidity in %
DD -- dewpoint depression in C (mess level out1b)
WETB -- wetbulb temperature in C (mess level out1b)
DIR -- wind direction in deg (intermediate levels interpolated using significant wind level data)
SPD -- wind speed in knt (intermediate levels interpolated using significant wind level data)
THETA -- potential temperature in K (mess level out1b)
THE-V -- virtual potential temperature in K (mess level out1b)
THE-W -- wetbulb potential temperature in K (mess level out1b)
THE-E -- equivalent potential temperature in K (mess level out1b)

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
LEV PRES  HGHT  TEMP  DEWP  RH  DD   WETB DIR SPD THETA THE-V THE-W THE-E   W
     mb     m     C     C    %   C     C  deg knt   K     K     K     K    g/kg
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
  0 1000   109                                                                 
SFC  986   228  15.6  10.1  70  5.5  12.4 316   9 289.9 291.3 286.1 312.2  7.88
  2  950   545  12.9   8.8  76  4.1  10.6 315  19 290.3 291.6 285.9 311.5  7.49
  3  900   997   8.7   7.1  89  1.7   7.8 319  21 290.5 291.7 285.5 310.5  7.02
  4  850  1467   5.1   3.2  88  1.9   4.1 328  21 291.5 292.5 284.5 307.8  5.68
  5  800  1960   3.4  -2.8  64  6.2   0.6 338  20 294.8 295.5 283.9 306.3  3.90
...

The next section displays standard sounding parameters and indices. Most of the information is printed at message level out1d except for thickness, lifted, Showalter, total totals and K indices which is at message level out1c (red text).

Sounding variables and indices
1000-500 mb thick:      5587.03 m
Freezing level:          643.64 mb =  3714.58 m = 12186.81 ft
Wetbulb zero:            789.00 mb =  2072.41 m =  6799.17 ft
Precipitable water:        0.67 inches
Sfc-500 mean rel hum:     41.53 %
Est. max temperature:     18.05 C =   64.49 F
Sfc-Lift cond lev (LCL): 908.75 mb =   915.84 m =  3004.69 ft T: -263.68 C
700-500 lapse rate:        4.61 C/km
ThetaE index:              5.84 C Layer  950.0- 750.0 mb
Conv cond level (CCL):   881.54 mb =  1167.24 m =  3829.49 ft
  Mean mixing ratio:       7.34 g/kg
  Conv temperature:       16.54 C =   61.78 F
Cap Strength:              9.95 C
Lifted Index:             10.17 C Risk: None
Lifted Index @300 mb:     10.90 C
Lifted Index @700 mb:      4.37 C
Showalter Index:          12.28 C Risk: None
Total Totals Index:       31.16 C Risk: None
  Vertical Totals Index:  16.51 C
  Cross Totals Index:     14.65 C
K Index:                   4.27   Risk: None
Sweat Index:             138.97   Risk: None
Energy Index:              2.72   Risk: None

The next section involves a parcel trajectory. The parcel is taken from some initial condition and raised vertically to the top of the sounding. The default parcel uses a 100 mb mean layer above the surface. The parcel type can be changed with the par plot parameter:

par=pres:temp:dew

Temperature and dewpoint are optional. If not specified, the sounding temperature
and dewopint are used.

Type	Pres	Temp	Dew
pressure level	pres	temp	dew
surface level	sfc	temp	dew
max temperature	maxt	--	--
pressure layer	layer	thick	--

The data are printed at message level out2b except for CAPE, convective inhibition and cap strength which is printed at level out2a (red text).

Parcel Indices
Parcel: using 100 mb layer
CAPE (B+):                 5.86 J/kg
Max Up Vert Vel:           3.42 m/s
Conv Inhibition (B-):      3.15 J/kg
Cap Strength:             10.12 C
Lift Cond Lev (LCL):     888.66 mb =  1101.03 m =  3612.25 ft
Lev Free Conv (LFC):     863.66 mb =  1335.91 m =  4382.86 ft
Equ Level (EL):          823.66 mb =  1723.24 m =  5653.59 ft
B at Equ Level:            5.60 J/kg
Max Parcel Lev (MPL):    793.66 mb =  2024.75 m =  6642.80 ft

The next section displays significant wind level data. Storm relative winds are computed based on a mean storm motion. This is computed using the mean wind of the lower 6km of the atmosphere. The storm direction is deflected 30 deg clockwise and the speed is 75% of the 6km mean speed. The output is at message level out3a (red text) except for the storm relative winds which is at out3b.

Wind level data
   Storm motion: 349 at  27 knt
----------------------------------------------------------
                   TRUE/GROUND REL   |     STORM REL
 LEV   P    H    DIR SPD   U     V   | DIR SPD   U     V
       mb   m        knt     m/s     |     knt     m/s
----------------------------------------------------------
  0  1000   109                     
  1   986   228  316   9   6.1  -6.4 | 183  20   1.1  20.4 
  2   950   545  315  19  13.2 -13.3 | 211  16   8.2  13.5 
  3   900   997  319  21  14.0 -15.9 | 220  14   9.1  10.9 
  4   850  1467  328  21  11.2 -17.6 | 214  11   6.2   9.1  
 ...

The next section is wind parameters and indices. This is printed at message level out2d except for mean winds, storm direction, helicity and energy-helicity index which are at level out2c (red text)

Wind Parameters
Mean winds (0-6000m):            319.5 at   36.3 knts
Storm direction:                 349.5 at   27.2 knts
Shear (0-3000m)              pos:    2.1 neg:    2.5 tot:    4.6 10-3/s
Storm rel Dir Shear (0-3000m):      87.9 deg
Storm rel helicity (0-3000m) pos:   78.0 neg:   -5.8 tot:   72.2 m^2/s^2
                             ave:   24.1 10^-3 m/s^2 rel:   0.63
Storm rel vorticity (0-3000m) horiz:    5.6 stream:    3.5 10^-3/s
Energy-Hel index:          0.00
Bulk Rich Number:          0.10
Bulk Shear:               56.19 m/s

The next section shows storm layer parameters. All of this information is printed at message level out3c.

Storm Parameters
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Depth  Mean    Inflow|    Shear      |           Helicity           | Vorticity
 AGL  Dir Spd Dir Spd|  Pos  Neg  Tot|  Pos   Neg   Tot   Ave   Rel |  Hor Strm
  m       knt     knt|     10^-3/s   |       m^2/s^2     m/s^2      | 10^-3/s
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 500  316  16 201  17| 11.2  0.0 11.2| 42.7   0.0  42.7   85.4  0.88| 11.4 10.0
1000  318  18 209  15|  6.3  0.0  6.3| 45.4   0.0  45.4   45.4  0.76|  7.1  5.4
1500  321  19 210  14|  4.3  0.0  4.3| 45.4  -5.8  39.6   26.4  0.48|  6.0  2.9
2000  325  19 210  12|  3.2  0.8  4.0| 51.9  -5.8  46.1   23.0  0.55|  5.3  2.9
2500  326  21 215  12|  2.6  1.9  4.4| 65.0  -5.8  59.2   23.7  0.61|  5.6  3.4
3000  325  23 224  11|  2.1  2.5  4.6| 78.0  -5.8  72.2   24.1  0.63|  5.6  3.5
4000  324  27 246  12|  1.6  3.3  4.9|107.6  -5.8 101.8   25.4  0.59|  5.7  3.4
5000  322  32 263  15|  1.3  3.7  5.0|121.3  -6.9 114.4   22.9  0.51|  5.6  2.9
6000  319  36 273  19|  1.1  3.5  4.6|121.3 -42.1  79.2   13.2  0.40|  5.3  2.1

Sounding Plots

After the text is displayed, the user is prompted for the output plot type. The selections are:

skewt -- Skew T log P diagram
ema -- Emagram
stuve -- Stuve diagram
hodo -- Hodogram

A thermodynamic diagram is plot showing the temperature and dewpoint plotted versus pressure (or height). A hodograph is a plot of wind speed versus direction on a polar grid.

Skew-T log-P: The skew-T log-P diagram is an energy conserving diagram in which the temperature and potential temperature lines are nearly perpendicular. The pressure lines are plotted horizontally in blue and are also on an inverse log scale. The concept of Skew T means that the temperature is not plotted vertically but angles off to the right at a 45 degree angle. The temperature lines of the Skew T are in blue. The dry adiabats slope off to the upper left and are plotted in green. The light blue dashed curved lines are saturation adiabats. The yellow dashed lines are lines of constant mixing ratio.

The sounding is displayed in white, with the white line on the left of the plot representing the dewpoint line and the white data line on the right representing the temperature line. When printed, these are bold lines for easier viewing. The wind barbs on the right-hand side of the diagram represent the winds at various elevations, with the top of the diagram representing north. The winds at mandatory levels are plotted at their pressure levels, whereas the winds at height levels are plotted at their standard atmosphere pressure level.

Emagram: An emagram is very close to a skewT except the temperature lines are vertical, not skewed to the right. It is also an energy conserving diagram.

Stuve: In the Stuve diagram format, the diagram is much the same as the Skew T plot except that the temperature lines are vertical. Pressure lines are spaced so that potential temperature lines are straight. This is not an energy conserving diagram.

Wind plot: The winds at selected levels are plotted on the right side of the diagram. Standard directions are used with up being north and right being to the east. These are plotted in white but can be changed with the color_wind resource.

Data plot: The geopotential heights are plotted at a 50 mb interval on the left side of the plot. The color of the data can be changed with the color_wind resource. On the right side of the plot, specific parameters and indices are plotted. These values are:

Station information:

WMO	WMO number
LAT	Latitude of station
LON	Longitude of station
EL	Elevation of station in meters

Key information:

TP	Tropopause level (mb)
MW	Max wind level (mb)
FRZ	Lowest freezing level (mb) or BG for below ground
WB0	Wet bulb zero (mb) or BG
PW	Precipitable water (in)
RH	Mean RH surface to 500 mb (%)
MAXT	Estimated max temperature (C) using a 150mb layer
TH	1000-500mb thickness (m)
L57	700-500mb lapse rate (C/km)
LCL	Lift condensation level (mb) from surface data
LI	Lifted index (C) using 100 mean layer above surface
SI	Showalter index (C)
TT	Total totals index
KI	K index
SW	Sweat index
EI	Energy index

-PARCEL-
This is a parcel trajectory (the yellow line on the sounding) based on 100 mb mean layer.

CAPE	Convective available potential energy
CINH	Convective inhibition (open ended)
LCL	Lift condensation level (mb)
CAP	Cap strength (C)
LFC	Level free convection (mb)
EL	Equilibrium level (mb)
MPL	Maximum parcel level (mb)

-WIND-
Wind parameters

STM	Estimated storm motion (knts) from 0-6000m AG mean layer, spd 75% of mean, dir 30 deg veer from mean.
HEL	Storm relative helicity 0-3000m AG (total value)
SHR+	Positive shear magnitude 0-3000m AG (sum of veering shear values)
SRDS	Storm relative directional shear 0-3000m AG (directional difference of storm relative winds)
EHI	Energy helicity index (prop to positive helicity * CAPE)
BRN	Bulk Richardson number 500-6000m AG (prop to CAPE/bulk shear)
BSHR	Bulk shear value (magnitude of shear over layer)

The amount of data plotted can be regulated by using the data plot parameters:

nodata -- no data plotted
data -- all data plotted
data1 -- minimal data plotted
data2 -- important data plotted

Parcel Trajectory: A parcel trajectory is plotted with each sounding as a thick yellow line. If no parcel trajectory is needed, specifying the noparcel plot parameter will eliminate it from the plot. The type of parcel can changed by specifying the par plot parameter.

Wind hodograph: The wind hodograph is a polar plot of wind speed and direction. The radius directly reflects wind speed. The hodograph is plotted for all mandatory and wind at height levels with the plot annotated with plus signs at each level and labeled with the mandatory level pressures above and to the right of the plus sign. The lowest level data (below 700 mb) is plotted in white.

The plot type can be changed. If the thermodynamic diagram is visible, the hodograph can be plotted by hitting <Meta>n. By hitting <Meta>n again, the thermodynamic plot will reappear.

Sounding Modification

Once the data are plotted, the sounding can be modified. This can be done by moving the cursor to the line which is to be modified, holding down the <Shift-right button> and moving the cursor to where the new value will be. If the cursor is right of the temperature line, the temperature sounding is modified. If the cursor is left of the dewpoint line, the dewpoint is modified. This can only be done on the existing levels. This can also be done on the hodograph.

In many cases, the sounding has too much detail to effectively select a level or data point. It is recommended that the user zoom the plot by using the <Shift-left button> and dragging a box around the area to be zoomed. Remember to start at a corner.

Once the sounding is modified, the plotted data will update to reflect the changed sounding. The parcel will not automatically update. This can be done with the <Meta>r refresh command. The modified sounding can be saved to a raw file using the <Meta>s save command. This can be read in by uacalplt to be replotted.

Output Files

By default, this program does not produce output files. A raw file can be generated using the <Meta>s command in the plot window. The out_file resource specifies 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

grbsnd -cu=la -mo=eta -ft=h24 -id=KIND -pl=skewt -de=d

This plots a 24 hour ETA forecast skewT diagram for KIND.

grbsnd -cu=la -mo=ngm -ft=h30 -id=30,-100 -pl=skewt -de=d

This plots a 30 hour NGM forecast skewT diagram for the location 30N, 100W.

FILES

sao.cty - the surface station location database file