USDA-WAOB GIS; International Applications, Uses, and Methods

Eric LuebehusenMeteorologist

November 17, 2010

USDA Meteorologists rely heavily on GIS data to perform a variety of

analyses for international AOR

USDA Meteorologists rely heavily on GIS data to perform a variety of

analyses for international AOR

This talk will concentrate on methods and applications using data

from NOAA…

This talk will concentrate on methods and applications using data

from NOAA…

The flexibility of GIS allows for numerous data sources and global/regional views in one project,

saving time and effort… and also makes “backing up” other analysts much easier

The flexibility of GIS allows for numerous data sources and global/regional views in one project,

saving time and effort… and also makes “backing up” other analysts much easier

Zoom ins not only allow for a closer view of details…

Zoom ins not only allow for a closer view of details…

… but country- or district-level crop data and/or shapefiles;

Here, winter wheat from the Russian Agromet Office

… but country- or district-level crop data and/or shapefiles;

Here, winter wheat from the Russian Agromet Office

Within the project are macros written to extract Wx Data;

This data is provided by CPC and stored in Oracle at USDA

Within the project are macros written to extract Wx Data;

This data is provided by CPC and stored in Oracle at USDA

Flexibility is key; User-defined start and stop dates

as well as data types

Flexibility is key; User-defined start and stop dates

as well as data types

WMO data via CPC; Stations are plotted with crop overlays

WMO data via CPC; Stations are plotted with crop overlays

Also, the time period need only be run once, with a suite of

parameters now available for analysis

Also, the time period need only be run once, with a suite of

parameters now available for analysis

Sfc analysis is created using “Natural Neighbor,” with bad

station data omitted in a Definition Query prior to

running the Spatial Analyst

Sfc analysis is created using “Natural Neighbor,” with bad

station data omitted in a Definition Query prior to

running the Spatial Analyst

The output closely matches the CPC weekly maps, albeit a

different color scheme

The output closely matches the CPC weekly maps, albeit a

different color scheme

The ability to jump from region to region is key

The ability to jump from region to region is key

The ability to jump from region to region is key

The ability to jump from region to region is key

Sometimes, the WMO data is not enough…

Sometimes, the WMO data is not enough…

CPC-supplied CMORPH geotiffs are also part of the daily

downloads

CPC-supplied CMORPH geotiffs are also part of the daily

downloads

The data is downloaded using WGET, but Windows software

serves as a backup (ie, Core FTP)

The data is downloaded using WGET, but Windows software

serves as a backup (ie, Core FTP)

DOS batch commands not only allow for date-coded archives, but for a duplicate

renamed “Current.tif” which will dynamically update on open

DOS batch commands not only allow for date-coded archives, but for a duplicate

renamed “Current.tif” which will dynamically update on open

CPC-supplied RFE regional geotiffs are downloaded and

archived; these too are summed using a macro

CPC-supplied RFE regional geotiffs are downloaded and

archived; these too are summed using a macro

The net result is a third source of pcp data for some int’l areas

The net result is a third source of pcp data for some int’l areas

CPC supplies NOAH snow depth, which coupled with temperature data can provide a

quick heads up with respect to winterkill

CPC supplies NOAH snow depth, which coupled with temperature data can provide a

quick heads up with respect to winterkill

CPC-supplies NOAH soil moisture for top 2 model layers; Color cutoffs/criteria developed by B Morris

(via soil moisture course work)

CPC-supplies NOAH soil moisture for top 2 model layers; Color cutoffs/criteria developed by B Morris

(via soil moisture course work)

Here, the haves and have-nots in Australia stand out within the Wheat Areas

(overlay developed by H Shannon)

Here, the haves and have-nots in Australia stand out within the Wheat Areas

(overlay developed by H Shannon)

On a weekly basis, maps are produced that denote soil moisture change year-to-year and month-to-

month, in percent

On a weekly basis, maps are produced that denote soil moisture change year-to-year and month-to-

month, in percent

NESDIS is supplying VHI geotiff data on a weekly basis, which has been very useful for

drought detection and crop-stage departures.

NESDIS is supplying VHI geotiff data on a weekly basis, which has been very useful for

drought detection and crop-stage departures.

Year-to-year changes (in percent) are created for the VHI as well

Year-to-year changes (in percent) are created for the VHI as well

Global MODIS Hotspot data are downloaded daily to detect wildfires and

seasonal burns

Global MODIS Hotspot data are downloaded daily to detect wildfires and

seasonal burns

CPC-Supplied GFS (00z) forecast data are used in the weekly and monthly (Lockup) presentations given to USDA Economists

CPC-Supplied GFS (00z) forecast data are used in the weekly and monthly (Lockup) presentations given to USDA Economists

Needless to say, interests at the World Board are not solely international…

Needless to say, interests at the World Board are not solely international…

The Drought Monitor: One development at USDA has been to use GIS for more than simply editing USDM Dx lines/Impacts, but for data assessment

The Drought Monitor: One development at USDA has been to use GIS for more than simply editing USDM Dx lines/Impacts, but for data assessment

An “editor” is loaded with data, but points to the same shapefiles in the primary

USDM project

An “editor” is loaded with data, but points to the same shapefiles in the primary

USDM project

An “editor” is loaded with data, but points to the same shapefiles in the primary

USDM project

An “editor” is loaded with data, but points to the same shapefiles in the primary

USDM project

CPC-generated SPI data have been a boon to the USDM authoring process at USDA

CPC-generated SPI data have been a boon to the USDM authoring process at USDA

Data are downloaded (WGET), renamed (“Current.tif”), and archived

Data are downloaded (WGET), renamed (“Current.tif”), and archived

This allows the author to easily zoom in for editing, and no need to worry about downloading

data or “messing up” the main USDM project

This allows the author to easily zoom in for editing, and no need to worry about downloading

data or “messing up” the main USDM project

CPC 3-month SPI

CPC 3-month SPI

This allows the author to easily zoom in for editing, and no need to worry about downloading

data or “messing up” the main USDM project

This allows the author to easily zoom in for editing, and no need to worry about downloading

data or “messing up” the main USDM project

CPC Soil MoistureCPC Soil Moisture

This project has expanded to include not only data from CPC…

This project has expanded to include not only data from CPC…

EMC NLDAS Soil MoistureEMC NLDAS Soil Moisture

… but other sources too, such as NLDAS data from EMC

… but other sources too, such as NLDAS data from EMC

All of CPC’s precip data in support of the USDM is downloaded and saved…

All of CPC’s precip data in support of the USDM is downloaded and saved…

CPC 30-Day Obs Pcp

CPC 30-Day Obs Pcp

Makes it very easy to look at different timescales…

Makes it very easy to look at different timescales…

CPC 90-Day Obs Pcp

CPC 90-Day Obs Pcp

… and parameters, including pcp departure… and parameters,

including pcp departure

CPC 90-Day Pcp DepartureCPC 90-Day

Pcp Departure

CPC 90-Day PNP

CPC 90-Day PNP

… and percent of normal precip.… and percent of normal precip.

AHPS 90-Day PNP

AHPS 90-Day PNP

USDA just started downloaded the suite of precip products from AHPS, which

provide more detail

USDA just started downloaded the suite of precip products from AHPS, which

provide more detail

AHPS 90-Day PNP

AHPS 90-Day PNP

The data helped resolve some local issues in Florida during my past USDM shift…

The data helped resolve some local issues in Florida during my past USDM shift…

AHPS 90-Day PNP

AHPS 90-Day PNP

CPC 90-Day PNP

CPC 90-Day PNP

With some discrepancies noted with the 1st-order

CPC data

With some discrepancies noted with the 1st-order

CPC data

AHPS 90-Day PNP

AHPS 90-Day PNP

CPC 90-Day PNP

CPC 90-Day PNP

Local reports supported the more dire AHPS

depiction

Local reports supported the more dire AHPS

depiction

AHPS 7-Day Pcp

AHPS 7-Day Pcp

Also downloaded are the7- and 14-day AHPS total Pcp.

Also downloaded are the7- and 14-day AHPS total Pcp.

The need for special analyses (discussed earlier) and USDM-

cutoffs led to the development of a macro that allows more flexibility

The need for special analyses (discussed earlier) and USDM-

cutoffs led to the development of a macro that allows more flexibility

AHPS 7-Day Pcp

AHPS 7-Day Pcp

Consequently, we are able to easily create pcp maps that match the

USDM’s 12z Tues cutoff (or other special Wx event)

Consequently, we are able to easily create pcp maps that match the

USDM’s 12z Tues cutoff (or other special Wx event)

NESDIS VHINESDIS VHI

The VHI (from F Kogan, et al) is also part of the USDM GIS editor…

The VHI (from F Kogan, et al) is also part of the USDM GIS editor…

NESDIS VHINESDIS VHI

And VHI Dx cutoffs allow for easy identification of vegetation stress that

meets USDM levels

And VHI Dx cutoffs allow for easy identification of vegetation stress that

meets USDM levels

VegDri (NDMC, USGS,

& HPRCC)

VegDri (NDMC, USGS,

& HPRCC)

New addition: VegDri for USDM support

New addition: VegDri for USDM support

While NRCS has been unwilling (unable?) to provide geotiff and dbf data, their CSV

data are GIS compatible

While NRCS has been unwilling (unable?) to provide geotiff and dbf data, their CSV

data are GIS compatible

NRCSNRCS

Station density is greatest in the central and northern Rockies as

well as the Cascades

Station density is greatest in the central and northern Rockies as

well as the Cascades

NRCSNRCS

Zooming in reveals a surprisingly dense network…

Zooming in reveals a surprisingly dense network…

NRCSNRCS

… which is in difficult-to-assess mountainous terrain

… which is in difficult-to-assess mountainous terrain

NRCS Water-Year Pctile

NRCS Water-Year Pctile

This data provided a launching point for changes made to the USDM in Colorado while

on NetMeeting with locals (March, 2010)

This data provided a launching point for changes made to the USDM in Colorado while

on NetMeeting with locals (March, 2010)

The USGS’ Streamflow shapefiles are likewise auto-downloaded and dynamically linked.

The USGS’ Streamflow shapefiles are likewise auto-downloaded and dynamically linked.

USGS 7-Day StreamflowUSGS 7-Day Streamflow

In closing… WMO data supplied by CPC provide USDA meteorologists with flexibility

needed to do their jobs

In closing… WMO data supplied by CPC provide USDA meteorologists with flexibility

needed to do their jobs

A suite of geotiff products from NOAA allow for quick analysis and are easy to work with

A suite of geotiff products from NOAA allow for quick analysis and are easy to work with

The same is true with respect to the US Drought Monitor, where numerous CPC-

created hydro geotiffs are vital

The same is true with respect to the US Drought Monitor, where numerous CPC-

created hydro geotiffs are vital

An increasing set of supplemental hydro GIS products are making the job of USDM author

easier and more accurate

An increasing set of supplemental hydro GIS products are making the job of USDM author

easier and more accurate

Automated downloading, archiving, renaming as well as macros make GIS a fully

operational tool at USDA-WAOB

Automated downloading, archiving, renaming as well as macros make GIS a fully

operational tool at USDA-WAOB

Wishlist Includes…

-Global SPI

-Hi-Res CONUS SPI (coming!)

-8km VHI (or greater) in geotiff

-Global Soil Moisture Percentiles (GIS)

-Supplemental Hi-Res global soil moisture and snowdepth

-Fcst Tanom (GFS) similar to COLA in GIS

Wishlist Includes…

-Global SPI

-Hi-Res CONUS SPI (coming!)

-8km VHI (or greater) in geotiff

-Global Soil Moisture Percentiles (GIS)

-Supplemental Hi-Res global soil moisture and snowdepth

-Fcst Tanom (GFS) similar to COLA in GIS

Questions?