Sataid Manual
Sataid Manual
Sataid Manual
Contents
1. Introduction......................................................................................................................................1
2. Overview..........................................................................................................................................2
3. Environment.....................................................................................................................................3
3.1 Operating environment ...........................................................................................................3
3.2 Files required for program execution......................................................................................4
3.3 Installing and uninstalling.......................................................................................................4
3.3.1 Installing ..........................................................................................................................4
3.3.2 Uninstalling......................................................................................................................5
3.3.3 Updating...........................................................................................................................6
4. Starting and Quitting........................................................................................................................7
4.1 Starting ....................................................................................................................................7
4.2 Quitting ...................................................................................................................................8
5. Operation..........................................................................................................................................9
5.1 Main menu and operation panel..............................................................................................9
5.1.1 Main menu .......................................................................................................................9
5.2 Basic operation......................................................................................................................13
5.2.1 Registering and displaying case study data....................................................................13
5.2.2 Registering image data...................................................................................................17
5.2.3 Displaying image data....................................................................................................21
5.2.4 Displaying NWP data.....................................................................................................23
5.2.5 Displaying cloud wind vector data.................................................................................28
5.2.6 Displaying radar and RAP (Radar-AMeDAS Precipitation) data..................................30
5.3 Advanced operation ..............................................................................................................31
5.3.1 Adjusting gradation........................................................................................................32
5.3.2 Displaying satellite image information ..........................................................................38
5.3.3 Measuring image data ....................................................................................................40
5.3.4 Drawing..........................................................................................................................50
5.3.5 Displaying other observation data..................................................................................52
6.1 Listing registered data...........................................................................................................63
6.2 Displaying a bird's-eye view.................................................................................................64
6.3 Displaying a geographical view............................................................................................65
6.4 Displaying an album view.....................................................................................................67
6.4.1 Sensor album..................................................................................................................67
6.4.2 Time series .....................................................................................................................68
6.4.3 NWP album....................................................................................................................69
6.5 Deleting registered data ........................................................................................................70
Data Format..................................................................................................................104
1. Introduction
In preventing meteorological disasters such as typhoons and heavy rain, the importance of
meteorological satellites to weather forecasts is unquestionable. However, to utilize meteorological
satellites more effectively, it is necessary to analyze images and extract information from them.
There is currently no other way than analyzing satellite images subjectively through human eyes
and an analysis of high quality requires one to master the skill of analyzing images.
The recent development of computers has made it easier to display satellite images on computer
screens. The Meteorological Satellite Center has developed a Computer Aided Learning system
(MSC-CAL) to display satellite images for learning and to train for improving image analysis skills.
It is called "SATAID" (Satellite Animation and Interactive Diagnosis).
The system comprises various functions to analyze satellite images and using these functions
allows one to conduct an analysis equivalent to the analyses being conducted in the Meteorological
Satellite Center. It can also be used for monitoring real situations.
This instruction manual allows the effective use of many functions of SATAID. It includes a
sequence for procedures from installation to the use of SATAID, and examples of case study using
SATAID. This manual also presents format-related information such as image data. This manual is
expected to be of service to you for effective use of SATAID.
2. Overview
This is an operation manual of [Gmslpw.exe], a user program of the SATAID system.
[Gmslpw.exe] has various functions for satellite image analyses, such as display of the SATAID
learning materials.
[Gmslpw.exe] has the following main functions:
y Displaying (and creating) SATAID learning materials which comprise a package of satellite
images and other meteorological data.
- Displaying case study explanations and speech output
- Synthesizing symbols on images
- Displaying auxiliary figures for image analysis
y Displaying satellite images, cloud motion winds, grid point values of Numerical Weather
Prediction (NWP), surface observation data, upper-air observation data, radar echoes, and
AMeDAS (Automated Meteorological Data Acquisition System; Japanese Automatic Weather
Station) data, etc.
y Animating satellite images, feeding frames, adjusting gradation, displaying enlarged views,
displaying a bird's-eye view
y Printing displayed data
y Measuring infrared brightness temperature, visible reflectance, and moving speed
y Displaying statistical information for histograms, etc. of infrared brightness temperature and
visible reflectance
y Displaying isolines (plane and sectional view) of infrared brightness temperature and visible
reflectance
y Drawing into displayed images
y Others
[Gmslpw.exe] is provided as a CD-ROM together with the SATAID learning materials. It is also
included in the Meteorological Satellite Center Monthly Report's CD-ROMs.
3. Environment
3.1
Operating environment
: Pentium or faster
: 32 MB minimum
: 8 or faster
: 1024 dots 768 lines or more, at least 256 color display
[32-bit version]
Personal computer
CPU
Memory capacity
Hard disk
CD-ROM drive
Mouse
Display
OS
[Note]
If you are using the Windows 95 or later operating system with the display mode set to High
Color (15 bits), gradations of an image may appear coarse on screen or in printing. You should set
the mode to True Color (24 or 32 bits) or 256 colors.
3.2
GMSLPW.EXE
GMSLPW.HLP
GMSLPW.WAV
GMSLPW.BMP
GMSLPW.INI
3.3
This program can be started directly from the CD-ROM, but it is recommended that you install
this program onto your hard disk and start it from there so that you can use the function to store
settings provided by the program and you can start it easily.
To delete the program installed in your system, you need to uninstall it.
If you will start the program directly from the CD-ROM, you do not need to install it.
3.3.1 Installing
(1) If the [GSETUP.EXE] setup program is not automatically started when you insert the CD-ROM,
use File Manager or Explorer to start the setup program.
The initial screen of the setup program will be displayed as shown in Figure 3.3.1.
Figure 3.3.1
(2) After the setup program is started, specify the directory in which the program is to be installed.
If you want to specify an existing directory, click on the [Browse] button. This will open the
[Directory selection] dialog box, which helps you select the directory. If you want to specify a
new directory, enter the directory name from the keyboard.
After the directory is selected, check that the [Install] radio button is selected and click on the
[OK] button.
(3) When you specify a new directory, you will be prompted to answer a question. If files to be
installed are normal, the [Execution of setup] window opens. Then, click on the [OK] button.
(4) When these files are copied successfully, you will be asked if the program should be registered
in the Program Manager (Start Menu). Registering a program group in the Program Manager
makes it easier to start the program. So you should register the program group here unless it is
already registered.
Once the program has been registered, the [Japan Area Gmslpw] icon to start the program, the
[Gmslpw Help] icon to display its help file, and the [Uninstall] icon to uninstall the program
are included in the [GMS Image Viewer] group.
If the [GMS Image Viewer] program group already exists, it is deleted once and a new program
group is registered.
(5) If the program includes a text file containing cautions and other information, the [Text] button
becomes active. This button allows you to open and refer to the file. If you complete
installation without referring to the file, you will be asked if you want to open the file.
3.3.2 Uninstalling
(1) To uninstall the program, click on the [Uninstall] icon in the [GMS Image Viewer] program
group or use File Manager or Explorer to start the [GSETUP.EXE] setup program, which is
also used to start the program.
(2) When the setup program starts, specify the directory to be uninstalled. Clicking on the
[Browse] button opens the [Directory selection] dialog box, which helps you find the directory.
After you specify the directory, check that the [Uninstall] radio button is selected and click on
the [OK] button.
(3) If files to be uninstalled are normal, the [Execution of setup] window opens. Then, click on the
[OK] button.
(4) After these files are deleted, you will be asked if you want to delete the directory and the [GMS
Image Viewer] program group in the Program Manager (Start Menu). Delete them if you do not
need them any more.
Figure 3.3.2 shows the procedures for installing and uninstalling the program.
Install
Uninstall
Specify a directory
Check a directory
End
Figure 3.3.2
End
3.3.3 Updating
(1) To update the program, click on the [Update] icon in the [GMS Image Viewer] program group.
You can also use File Manager or Explorer to start the [GSETUP.EXE] setup program, which is
also used to install the program.
(2) When the setup program starts, specify the directory that you want to update. Clicking on the
[Browse] button opens the [Directory selection] dialog box, which helps you select the
directory.
After you select the directory, check that the [Update] radio button is selected and click on the
[OK] button.
(3) If files to be updated are normal, the [Execution of setup] window opens. Then, click on the
[OK] button.
(4) After update information is received from the update server over the intranet, files to be
updated, if any, will be copied.
Starting
You can start the program directly from the CD-ROM or from the hard disk on which the
program was installed beforehand.
The program cannot be started if display mode, memory space available, or any other starting
conditions do not meet certain requirements or if the program has already been started.
(1) Starting directly from the CD-ROM
Use File Manager or Explorer to start the [GMSLPW.EXE] execution program contained in the
CD-ROM.
However, replacing the CD-ROM with another while the program is running may prevent it from
operating properly.
(2) Starting from your hard disk
Use File Manager or Explorer to start the [GMSLPW.EXE] execution program contained in the
directory in which the program was installed or click on the [Japan Area Gmslpw] icon in the [GMS
Image Viewer] program group in the start menu. If you have a shortcut icon for [Japan Area
Gmslpw] on your desktop, you can also click on this icon.
(3) Start parameters
You can specify the following parameters when the program is started.
Command: GMSLPW [-JST[-]-CNF[-]-DMY[-]-DIF[-]] [File name]
Parameters:
-JST:
-JST-:
-CNF:
-CNF-:
-DMY:
4.2
Quitting
Clicking on the [Quit] button in the main menu or closing the main window terminates the image
viewer. If an image or other data has been registered in memory as described in Section 5.2.1, the
memory occupied by that data is released.
5. Operation
5.1
[Register]
[Files] Registers data from a disk in memory.
[Mon. report] Registers data from a monthly report in CD-ROM form in memory.
[Article] Registers data containing a case explanation in memory.
[Network] Registers data from a network in memory.
[Register setup] Setup options of data registration.
[Quit] Closes the window and terminates the program.
[Option]
[Data list] Displays a list of data registered in memory.
[Bird's-eye] Displays a bird's-eye view of the current image.
[Geographical view] Overlays the current image on a geographical view.
[Album view]
[Sensor album] Lists all sensor images taken at the same time with the current image.
[Time series] Lists the same sensor images as the current image
[NWP album] Lists the current NWP data.
[Erase]
[Erase data] Erases the current image from memory.
[Erase all] Erases all data registered in memory.
[Erase radar] Erases all radar data registered in memory.
[Erase NWP] Erases all NWP data registered in memory.
[Print]
[Print image] Prints the current image.
[Print screen] Prints the whole screen.
[Page setup] Sets the margins of printing paper.
[Bitmap] Outputs the current image to a bitmap format file.
[Copy image] Copies the current image to the clipboard.
[Position adjustment] Makes position adjustments to geographical information on the current image.
[Screen size] Sets the size of the image display window.
[Line color] Sets the color of latitude/longitude lines or coastlines.
[Date & time] Sets the position of the observation date and time in the current image.
[Map element] Sets map elements of extended coastline data to be displayed.
[Panel displaying]
[Operation panel] Shows/hides the operation panel.
[Message panel] Shows/hides the message panel.
[Zoom ratio] Keeps the aspect ratio when enlarging the image.
[Scroll zooming] Enables you to use the scroll bar to shift an enlarged view.
[Optimize size] Optimizes the size of an image after it is registered.
[Save value] Saves default values in the initial value file.
[Quit] Closes the window and terminates the program.
[Help]
[Contents] Displays helpful information on the operation of the program.
[Memory] Displays the current status of memory usage.
[About] Displays the versions of the program and OS.
[About Dvorak's method] Gives you hints on how to estimate the intensity of a tropical cyclone (Available for
the TC analysis).
[Simple view] Displays or prints data without registering it in memory.
[File] Selects a file you want to display.
[Select] Selects a satellite data block to be displayed.
[Auxiliary] Makes display settings or outputs an image to a printer.
[Exit] Closes a sub-window.
[Help] Displays helpful information on image display.
[Article index] Edits or outputs a case index file.
[Article model] Edits or outputs a case explanation file.
[Restart win] Restarts Windows when the operation is unstable or any other reason to reboot arises.
[Zoom]/[Normal] Enlarges part of the image or displays it in the normal size.
Figure 5.1.1
5.1.2
Operation panel
Figure 5.1.2 shows the operation panel structure and its component buttons. Clicking on a button
in the [Function] group displays a group of function buttons associated with the button.
11
slider Moves in correspondence with animating images. Slide the bar to display data.
[AUTO] button Starts animation. Turns to the [STOP] button.
[STOP] button Stops animation. Turns to the [AUTO] button.
button Advances frame-by-frame.
button Reverses frame-by-frame.
button Shows animation in normal sequence (Default).
button Shows animation in reverse sequence.
[Fast-Slow] scroll bar Adjusts data animation speed (10 levels).
[Image] group
[IR] button Displays infrared images.
[IR2] button Displays infrared-2 images.
[VS] button Displays visible images.
[VS2] button Displays visible-2 images.
[WV] button Displays water vapor images.
[IR4] button Displays infrared-4 images.
[SP] button Displays infrared split window channel images.
[S2] button Displays infrared-4 difference images.
[EIR-C] button Emphasizes infrared images in colors (Available for the TC analysis).
[EIR-M] button Emphasizes infrared images in black and white (Available for the TC analysis).
[Grid] checkbox Overlays latitude/longitude lines on the current image.
[Grid] dropdown list Selects intervals at which latitude/longitude lines are placed (from 1, 2, 5, 10, 15, 20,
30, 45, 60, and 90 degrees).
[Coast] checkbox Overlays coastlines on the current image.
[Range] checkbox Overlays drawings on the current image.
[Text] checkbox Displays an explanation associated with the current image.
[NWP] checkbox Overlays NWP data on the current image if any.
[RADAR] checkbox Overlays radar data on the current image if any.
[Wind] checkbox Overlays motion wind vectors on the current image if any.
[Function] group
[Gray] button Adjusts gradations of the current image.
[Revs] checkbox Reverse gradation of an image displayed.
[Color] button Emphasizes a specified brightness level by coloring it.
[Initial] button Resets gradations of the current image to the initial settings.
[Brit] scrollbar Adjusts the brightness of the current image.
[Ctrl] scrollbar Adjusts the contrast of the current image.
[Info] button Displays information on the current image such as its range.
[Ctrl] button Displays the content of the control section of satellite data.
[Calb] button Displays the content of the calibration section of satellite data.
[Meas] button Displays measurements of satellite data.
[Brit] button Measures the brightness of a certain point.
[Move] button Measures the moving speed and direction between two locations.
[Time] button Displays changes in the brightness of a certain point over time during the animation.
[Cross] button Displays a cross section to show brightness distribution between two locations.
[Contour] button Displays a brightness isogram for a certain rectangular area.
[Hist] button Displays a brightness histogram for a certain area.
[Draw] button Draws free lines in the current image.
[Thin] button Draws thin lines.
[Std] button Draws standard lines.
[Thick] button Draws thick lines.
[Curve] checkbox Draws a curve along specified points.
[Erase] button Erases part of a line.
[Extra] button Uses the expanded drawing function.
[Obs] button Overlays other observation data on a satellite image.
[Synop] button Overlays synoptic observation data on a satellite image.
[AMeDA] button Overlays observations from AMeDAS on a satellite image.
[WPR] button Overlays wind profiler data on a satellite image.
[Track] button Overlays tropical cyclone track data on a satellite image.
[TC] button Analyzes a tropical cyclone based on a satellite image. (Available for the TC analysis).
[Center] button Analyzes the center of a tropical cyclone.
[Intens] button Analyzes the intensity of a tropical cyclone.
[Early] button Discriminates early stage of a tropical cyclone.
[Hist] button Saves the analysis of a tropical cyclone.
Figure 5.1.2
Start program
Register image data in memory
Register from monthly
report CD-ROM
Click on
[Mon. report] in the
[Register] menu
Register from a
case study
Click on [Article] in
the [Register] menu
Register from a
network
Click on
[Network] in the
[Register] menu
Click on
[AUTO]
button
Advance frameby-frame
Display a case
explanation
Display NWP
data
Enlarge part of
an image
Click on
Click on
[Text]
check box
Click on
[NWP]
check box
Click on
[Zoom]
menu
Advanced operation
Change gradations
Click on
[Gray]
button
Display image
information
Click on
[Info]
button
Measure data
Draw curves
Click on
[Meas]
button
Click on
[Draw]
button
Display
observations
Click on
[Obs]
button, etc.
[Register] menu when these files are available opens the [Article selection] window. Next, select a
case study you want to display and click on the [OK] button in the window, and the [Registering the
GMS data] window will open. Then, click on the [Continue] button to load the images and
explanations associated with these images to memory. If you want to specify a path to satellite
image data, click on the [Browse] button. Then, the [Directory selection] dialog box, which helps
you select a directory, will be opened.
To use another index file, click on the [Index] button. This will open another window, the
[Selecting index] window, where you can select a different case index file.
Clicking on the [About] button after you select a case study allows you to view a summary of the
case before it is registered.
By specifying a character string in the [Search] field and clicking on the [GO] button, you can
search all case explanations for those containing that string (if you specify two or more character
strings separated by a single-byte space, an AND search is performed).
Figure 5.2.1.1 shows example settings of the [Article selection] window.
[Note]
When there is no case index file in the directory from which the program is started, clicking on
[Article] in the [Register] menu opens the [Selecting index] window. Then, select an appropriate
case index file in this window.
When you create a case explanation file successfully, click [Article index] in the [Help] menu to
open the [Selecting index] window. Specifying the directory where your case explanation file
resides opens the [Setup of article index] window, where you can edit the article index data. The
[Candidate] box contains a list of case explanation data titles and the [Item] box contains a list of
titles entered in the article index. Clicking on the [Insert] button after selecting a title in the
[Candidate] box registers it in the [Item] box. Clicking on the [Delete] button after selecting a title
in the [Item] box deletes the title. Clicking on the [Edit] button after selecting a title in the [Item]
box opens a window, where you can change the title. You can also use a document editor to create
an article index file and write explanation file names and titles according to the format described in
the Appendix.
Figure 5.2.1.2 shows example settings of the [Setup of article explanation] window and Figure
5.2.1.3 shows example settings of the [Setup of article index] window.
16
Figure 5.2.1.3
17
Clicking on the [Browse] button in the [Preparing the register] window opens the [Directory
selection] dialog box, which helps you specify a directory. However, make sure to specify a
directory containing directories grouped by date.
Figure 5.2.2.1 shows example settings of the [Preparing the register] window.
[Note]
Monthly Reports of Meteorological Satellite Center in CD-ROM form contains monthly
observations from geostationary meteorological satellites (GMS) and polar orbiting meteorological
satellites (NOAA) in numerical table format. Moreover, observations from GMS include image data.
This monthly report on CD-ROM is distributed monthly not only to meteorological offices in Japan
but also to major meteorological offices and research organizations overseas.
Figure 5.2.2.1
18
Figure 5.2.2.2
Figure 5.2.2.3
Figure 5.2.2.4
20
Clicking on the
button in the operation panel or pressing the [] key while animation
is being displayed shows animating images in normal sequence. Clicking on the
button
or pressing the [] button while animation is being displayed shows animating images in reverse
sequence.
You can use the [Fast-Slow] scroll bar in the operation panel to adjust the animation speed in 10
levels. The slider
moves in correspondence with the animation.
[Note]
Usually, animation starts from the current image. However, you can start animation from the
image set as the first image for animation by starting the animation while holding down the [Ctrl]
key.
You can click the
or
button while holding down the [Ctrl] key to specify the current
image as the first or last image for animation. You can also change the first or last image for
animation by clicking on [Data list] in the [Option] menu.
(2) Frame advance
button or press the [] key while a satellite image is being
Every time you click on the
displayed, the next image is displayed unless animation is being displayed.
Every time you click on the
button or press the [] key, the previous image is displayed.
allows you to move through images and easily display a certain image.
The slider
(3) Enlarged view
By clicking on [Zoom] in the main menu while a satellite image is being displayed and defining a
rectangle in the image by dragging your mouse, you can display an enlarged view of the area with
vertical and horizontal scroll bars.
These scroll bars allow you to shift the enlarged view across the entire image. You can click on
[Normal] in the main menu to remove the enlarged view and display the whole image again.
21
When [Zoom ratio] in the [Option] menu is selected, images are zoomed at a fixed aspect ratio.
When [Zoom ratio] is deselected, images can be zoomed at any aspect ratio.
Pressing [Ctrl] + [Shift] keys when the cursor is placed in the current image turns the cursor into
the zoom cursor . Then, every time you left-click, the image is scaled up and every time you
right-click, it is scaled down. You can move this cursor to the edge of the image to shift the enlarged
area.
[Note]
The vertical and horizontal scroll bars can be turned ON and OFF by clicking on [Scroll
Zooming] in the [Option] menu. When the cursor is turned into the hand cursor
in the image,
you can move the enlarged area across the entire image by dragging your mouse.
The [Setup of zooming area] window opens when [Zoom] or [Normal] of the main menu is
clicked while pushing [Ctrl] + [Shift] keys, and then a zooming rectangular area can be set in the
numerical value. The value of zoomed area can be acquired by clicking the [Get] button when the
image is zoomed. If [Zoom] of the main menu is clicked while pushing the [Ctrl] key when the
whole area is displayed, the image is zoomed easily because these setting values are memorized.
Figure 5.2.3.1 shows example settings of the [Setup of zooming area] window.
Figure 5.2.3.1
When the [Fixed position] in the system menu of the [NWP data] window is selected, data is
displayed in fixed positions when changes in isoline or other settings change the window size.
When the [Last init.] is not selected, the earliest initial NWP data is displayed. When the
[Interpolation] is selected, forecast data can be interpolated and displayed when no such data exist.
You can select and deselect the following items in the system menu to switch between elements.
In this case, however, you should appropriately set isolines' upper and lower limits and intervals at
which they are placed.
y [Temp Advc]
y [T-TD RH]
y [P-Vel PV]
y [Vort Div]
y [EPT POT]
y [VWS RiN]
y [SSI CAPE]
y [Psea EXT]
By clicking on [Data file] in the system menu, you can output the current NWP data into a file in
a format that can be used with a spreadsheet program, or in the CSV format.
Figure 5.2.4.1 shows a satellite image at 12 UTC on January 20, 1997. This image is synthesized
with isotachs at an altitude where the pressure is 300 hPa and wind at an altitude where the pressure
is 925 hPa (Data elements for these altitudes can be set when the [RSM-U] radio button is selected).
Figure 5.2.4.2 shows the cross sectional graph of isotachs, wind, and equivalent potential
temperature, and the vertical profile graph of potential temperature. Figure 5.2.4.3 lists NWP data
elements and their respective units.
[Note]
Relative vorticity, Equivalent potential temperature, Temperature advection, Relative humidity,
Potential vorticity, Horizontal divergence, Potential temperature, Vertical wind shear, Richardson's
number, SSI, and CAPE are calculated in this program.
When Vertical wind shear or Richardson's number overlays satellite imagery, the data are
calculated with the specifying pressure level and the level below, and displayed as the specifying
level's value. And in sectional view or time series graph, it is treated as a value at the middle of the
two levels when contours are displayed.
CAPE (Convective Available Potential Energy) is started to calculate from the level where the
Equivalent potential temperature is maximum between [surface pressure -25hPa] and 850hPa.
24
25
Figure 5.2.4.2 Cross sectional graph (isotachs, wind, and equivalent potential temperature) and
vertical profile graph (potential temperature) of NWP data
26
RSM surface
Description
Unit
Altitude
gpm
Wind barb
kt
Isotach
kt
Air temperature
C
Dew-point depression
C
Vertical p-velocity
hPa/h
Relative vorticity
10-6/s
Equivalent potential
K
temperature
kt/1000 ft
Vertical wind shear
Precipitation (for the
mm/3 h
previous 3 hours)
Sea level pressure
hPa
Showalter stability index
K
Relative humidity
%
Horizontal divergence
10-6/s
Potential temperature
K
Richardsons number
Convective available
J/kg
potential energy
Potential vorticity
0.1 PVU
Teperature advection
C/h
Figure 5.2.4.3
Symbol
Rain
Psea
Wind
Isotac
Temp
RH
CL
CM
CH
Description
Precipitation (for the
previous 1 hour)
Sea level pressure
Wind barb
Isotach
Air temperature
Relative humidity
Cloud cover in upper air
Cloud cover in middle
air
Cloud cover in lower air
Unit
mm/h
hPa
kt
kt
C
%
%
%
%
27
Figure 5.2.4.4
28
Figure 5.2.5 A Satellite Image Synthesized with Cloud Wind Vector Data
(The image contains Upper Wind and Lower Wind, Water Vapor Wind, and altitudes)
29
30
5.3
Advanced operation
Clicking on radio buttons in the [Function] group in the operation panel activates different useful
functions for image analysis. For example, you can:
y Adjust the gradation of images
y Display information on images
y Measure brightness or movement, etc.
y Draw curves and cloud forms, etc.
y Synthesize AMeDAS data on images
y Synthesize synoptic observation data (surface, sea, upper air)
y Synthesize tropical cyclone track information data on images
y Synthesize wind profiler data on images
31
32
33
: 64-gradation grayscale
: 16-gradation grayscale
: Pseudo 16 colors
: Synthesize one type of image on another
: Fixed grayscale
: Fixed grayscale
: Fixed grayscale
: Fixed grayscale
You can select the [Blue] checkbox to display the current image in blue gradations.
For example, when you animate water vapor images after you emphasis a brightness temperature
range of 20C to +40C in the images, that will help you track trends in the dark area. Figure
5.3.1.2 shows a water vapor image taken at 03UTC on June 2, 1997. The emphasized area
corresponds to the dark area where brightness temperature is 20C or above.
34
Figure 5.3.1.2 A Partially Emphasized Water Vapor Image and the [Setting the emphasis] Window
(Area where brightness temperature falls within a range between 20C and +40C has been
emphasized)
setting. You can also enter numerical values in the edit box for brightness and color levels and click
on the [S] button to add the setting.
The [Initial] button in the window clears the setting.
Figure 5.3.1.3 shows an example setting of RGB.
Figure 5.3.1.3
Figure 5.3.1.4 shows an infrared image synthesized with a visible image. In this composite image,
the cyan blue cloudy area represents thin upper clouds, the magenta cloudy area represents lower
clouds, and the white cloudy area represents developed convective clouds or a multi-layered cloudy
area.
Figure 5.3.1.4 An Infrared Image Synthesized with a Visible Image and the [Setup of image
mixture] Window
(The infrared image is represented by cyan blue gradations and the visible image is represented by
magenta gradations.)
Figure 5.3.1.5
Figure 5.3.2
Section
39
Figure 5.3.3.1 shows an infrared image taken at 02UTC on June 2, 1997. This image is
accompanied with brightness temperature measured at a point in the image. Information contained
in the [Brightness level] window indicates that brightness temperature at the cumulonimbus area
around the Sakishima Islands is 69.5C. Observations of upper air around Ishigaki Island taken at
00UTC on the same day suggest that the cloud top height is about 150 hPa.
40
[Note]
CAPE and CIN (convective inhibition) are calculated using the altitude where the pressure falls
within a range between [surface pressure 25 hPa] and 850 hPa and where the highest equivalent
potential temperature is observed, as the starting point.
A trajectory starts from the highest altitude of all displayed NWP data and follows the traveled
path backwards. When you click on a certain point with the [Ctrl] key held down, a trajectory starts
from the lowest altitude and follows a path to be traveled forwards. Clicking on [Trajectory setup]
in the system menu of the [Brightness level] window opens the [Setup of trajectory] dialog box,
where you can set colors for different pressure levels and other options. When the [All NWP]
checkbox is checked, a trajectory for the entire period for which NWP data is available is drawn.
When the checkbox is not checked, a trajectory for the entire period of the moving image is drawn.
When the [Time Mark] checkbox is checked, marks to indicate times are added to the trajectory.
When the [Pressure] checkbox is checked, pressure levels at the start and end points of the
trajectory are displayed. When the [Multicolor] checkbox is checked, a trajectory is drawn in
different colors that indicate different pressure levels.
41
When the [Leave] checkbox is checked and the [Line] checkbox in the operation panel is checked,
a new trajectory does not delete trajectories drawn before.
Figure 5.3.3.2 is a sample trajectory displayed in the image.
Figure 5.3.3.2
Figure 5.3.3.3 shows the [Cloud motion] window containing cloud measurements based on
visible images taken between 00UTC and 06UTC on June 2, 1997. These figures indicate that a Cb
line around the Sakishima Islands is moving east-southeast at a speed of 13KT.
Figure 5.3.3.3
was converted into altitudes is also displayed. Deselecting [NwpTbb] in the system menu of the
[Time series] window hides this graph.
Figure 5.3.3.4 shows a graph to indicate changes in brightness temperature over time. This graph
is based on infrared images taken between 00UTC and 09UTC on January 22, 1997. This graph
indicates that the brightness temperature of convective clouds resulting from cold air around
Itoigawa city in Niigata rose as the cold air became weak. Observations of upper air around Wajima
at 00UTC on the same day suggest that the cloud top height dropped from 400 hPa to 700 hPa.
Figure 5.3.3.4
Images
The vertical axis in the graph represents brightness. When [Fixed scale] in the system menu of
the [Cross section] window is selected, the upper and lower limits of the scale are fixed (They can
be changed in [Scale setup] in the system menu). Otherwise, the highest brightness and the lowest
brightness provide the upper limit and the lower limit, respectively.
When NWP data is available, a graph to show the distribution of selected elements across the
cross section is displayed. With an infrared image or a water vapor image, an additional graph
where brightness temperature was converted into altitudes is also displayed. Deselecting [NwpTbb]
in the system menu of the [Cross section] window hides this graph.
Figure 5.3.3.5 shows a graph to indicate brightness distribution across a cross section. This graph
is based on an infrared image taken at 00UTC on June 2, 1997. A graph based on a visible image to
show reflectivity distribution over the same cross section is also displayed for your reference. You
can switch between different types of images to identify differences in cloud forms that reflect the
characteristics of cross-sectional graphs.
Area A where brightness temperature is low and reflectivity is high corresponds to a lower
clouded area, Area B where both brightness temperature and reflectivity are high corresponds to a
multi-layered thickly clouded area, and Area C where brightness is high and reflectivity is relatively
low corresponds to a middle and upper clouded area.
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Every fifth isoline is displayed as a bold solid line with its value. Clicking on [Contour setup] in the
system menu of the [Contour line] window opens the [Setup of contour] window, where you can set
an interval, a lower limit, and an upper limit in the [Interval], [Low], and [High] fields, respectively.
When the [Dash] checkbox is deselected, isolines that represent a negative value are displayed as
solid lines. When the [Revs] checkbox is selected, isolines that represent a negative value are
displayed in reversal color. When the [Value] checkbox is deselected, isolines are not accompanied
by a value. When the [Bold] checkbox is deselected, all isolines are displayed as standard lines
rather than bold lines. Click on the [Color] button to change the color of isolines.
Clicking on [Date file] in the system menu outputs the brightness data in that area to a file in a
format that can be used with a spreadsheet program or in the CSV format.
Figure 5.3.3.6 shows isolines of brightness temperature based on a water vapor image taken at
00UTC on June 2, 1997.
Figure 5.3.3.6
click on the end point, a histogram of that area is displayed along with the maximum and minimum
values, the mean value, and the standard deviation of brightness in that area, and the total number.
The maximum and minimum values are displayed in the horizontal axis and the brightness
corresponding to the maximum frequency is displayed in the histogram along with the percentage.
In addition, when emphasized brightness levels are included in the area, the total number is
followed by the frequency and the percentage.
The following modes can be selected in the system menu of the [Histogram] window.
y Mode 1:
y Mode 2:
y Mode 3:
y Mode 4:
For mode 3, you can click on [Histogram setup] in the system menu of the [Histogram] window
to open the [Histogram setup] window, where you can set intervals at which frequencies are
displayed, the lower limit, and the upper limit in the [Interval], [High], and [Low] fields,
respectively. For mode 4, when a scattergram and a regression line based on infrared and water
vapor images taken at the same time are displayed and [Assist line] is checked, an additional line (a
line based on the coefficient of 1) is displayed and the brightness temperature at the point where the
additional line and the regression line intersect is also displayed (The pressure level is also
displayed when NWP data is available).
Comparison of measurements between images taken at different times allows you to take an
objective view of the development or spread of a cloud system.
Figure 5.3.3.7 shows a histogram of brightness temperature developed from an infrared image
taken at 09UTC on January 22, 1997. In this picture, a brightness temperature range below 10C
has been emphasized so that the percentage of cloudy areas in the Sea of Japan can be calculated. A
histogram for 00UTC is also displayed for your reference. Comparison between these histograms
indicates that the percentage of cloudy areas decreased from 71% to 51% as cold air became weak.
Figure 5.3.3.8 shows a scattergram of brightness temperature developed from infrared and water
vapor images taken at 09UTC on April 7, 1997. In this example, the pressure level in the
intersection of the additional line and the regression line is 211hPa, from which the cloud top height
of the determined thin upper cloud can be estimated.
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49
Figure 5.3.3.8
Image
By selecting the [Adjust size] in the system menu of a window opened by a button in the [Meas]
section, you can adjust the displayed graph or figure to the window size. By selecting the [Sync
view], you can synchronize the graph or figure with animation. You can click on [Print] in the
system menu to output the current graph or figure to a printer. You can click on [Bitmap] in the
system menu to output the graph or figure to a bitmap file, etc. And you can click on [Copy] in the
system menu to copy the graph or figure to the clipboard.
5.3.4 Drawing
When you click on the [Draw] button in the operation panel while a satellite image is being
displayed, paintbrush buttons that can be used as a drawing instrument appear in the operation panel.
Check on the [Line] checkbox before your drawings can be used in another operation.
(1) Freehand drawing
Deselect the [Curve] checkbox in the operation panel.
50
Select the [Thin], [Std], or [Thick] button and drag your mouse to draw a curve along the track.
(2) Spline drawing
Select the [Curve] checkbox in the operation panel.
Select the [Thin], [Std], or [Thick] button and click on two or more points in the current image.
Then, double-click on the end point to draw a spline curve along the points.
When you click on two points, a straight line is drawn.
(3) Partial erasing
Select the [Erase] button in the operation panel and click a line or a character string, etc. in the
current image to erase. Then, it will be displayed in a reversal color, and it will be erased if it clicks
again.
(4) Expanded drawing functions
Clicking on the [Extra] button in the operation panel opens the [Extra drawing] window, which
provides additional drawing functions. For example, you can
y Delete all drawings ([Clear] button)
y Cancel the previous drawing operation ([Undo] button)
y Draw dashed lines, shear lines, arrows, block arrows, borders, cirrus streaks, transverse lines,
convective cloud lines, cold fronts, warm fronts, occluded fronts, stationary fronts, troughs, or
ridges (They can be drawn in the same way as spline drawings).
y Draw polygons, polygons of dashed lines, polygons with a transparent border, closed curves,
or cloud rims
(They can be drawn in the same way as spline drawings. These figures are filled with a
hatched pattern)
y Draw ellipses, ellipses of dashed lines, circles, or circles of dashed lines
(To draw an ellipse, drag your mouse to specify a rectangle. Then, an ellipse inscribed in the
rectangle is drawn. To draw a circle, click on a certain point on which a circle is drawn. Then,
specify a radius by dragging your mouse. These figures are filled with a hatched pattern)
y Paste cloud form symbols or vortex center symbols
(Drag a symbol to a point where it is to be pasted. The symbol size can be changed)
(Dropping the symbol while holding down the [Ctrl] key reverses it left to right)
y Paste character strings
(Drag [Char] to a point where it is to be pasted. The character size can be changed)
y Paste wind barbs
(Drag [Char] to a point where it is to be pasted after inputting character string as "WIND
ddd(direction in 360 deg.),fff(velocity)". The wind barb size can be changed)
If there are bitmap files for additional drawing symbols, up to 8 symbols can be added (file name:
EXTMARK1 to 8.BMP, format: monochrome bit map).
Clicking on the [Ptn] button opens the [Setup of hatch pattern] window, where you can change
the hatch pattern. Clicking on the [Col] button opens the [Setup of drawing color] window, where
you can change the color of drawings and hatched patterns.
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The [Std] and [Thick] buttons do not affect dashed lines, which are always drawn in thin lines
(except Windows NT 4.0 or later). When the display mode is set to 256 colors, you cannot draw
black lines.
If the [Obs] checkbox is selected, other observation data will be abled to display (refer to section
5.3.5).
Figure 5.3.4 shows an image that contains drawings to represent convective cloud line and lower
vortexes, etc.
[Note]
Usually, stationary fronts are drawn in the selected color. However, you can click the [Sn-front]
radio button while holding down the [Ctrl] key to draw a stationary front in red and blue.
Figure 5.3.4
y Data from AMeDAS (Automated Meteorological Data Acquisition System) in the Japan
Meteorological Agency (JMA) Monthly Report format
y Synoptic observation data in the JMA weather chart format (the surface, the marine, and
upper air)
y Tropical cyclone track information data in the JMA weather chart format
y Wind profiler data in the JMA Monthly Report format
(1) Display AMeDAS data
Clicking on the [AMeDAS] radio button in the operation panel when a satellite image is being
displayed opens the [AMeDAS data] window, where you can make settings to display AMeDAS
data.
Then, check that a disk containing AMeDAS data in the "JMA Monthly Report" format has been
inserted and the directory specified in the [Path] field contains directories grouped by year. To
change the directory, click on the [Browse] button to open the [Directory selection] window, which
helps you specify a directory.
How to display AMeDAS data and the format in which it is displayed depend on whether or not
an enlarged view of a certain area is being displayed. The following four elements can be displayed.
y [Wind]:
y [Temp]:
y [Prec]:
y [Suns]:
Clinking on the [Reduce] button opens the [Setup of AMeDAS data] dialog box, where you can
set a temperature lapse rate used to display temperature.
When you click on a point equipped with AMeDAS in the current image, information on that
point and observations obtained there pop-up.
y When a normal satellite image is being displayed
When you select the [Wind], [Temp], [Prec], or [Suns] radio button, corresponding observations
are displayed over the image as dots that represent different levels.
Figure 5.3.5.1 shows a satellite image synthesized with AMeDAS data.
53
can set fixed intervals at which the vertical axis is graduated. When [10 minutes] in the system
menu is checked, observations obtained every 10 minutes are displayed. When [Numerical 10 min]
is selected, observations obtained every 10 minutes are displayed as numerical values.
Figure 5.3.5.2 shows a satellite image synthesized with AMeDAS data.
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56
axis of vertical profile graph can be shifted. Because the [Line color] window opens if the [Color]
button is clicked while pushing the [Ctrl] key, each line color of vertical profile graph can be set
(only 32 bit version).
Figure 5.3.5.5 shows a satellite image synthesized with synoptic observation data.
[Note]
CAPE and CIN are calculated using the altitude where the pressure falls within a range between
[surface pressure 25 hPa] and 850 hPa and where the highest equivalent potential temperature is
observed, as the starting point
58
Then, check that a disk containing best track data in the "JMA weather chart" format has been
inserted and the directory specified in the [Path] field contains the [BESTRACK] directory. To
change the directory, click on the [Browse] button to open the [Directory selection] dialog box,
which helps you specify a directory.
When the disk contains data on typhoons observed between the animation start date/time and the
animation end date/time, their names are displayed in the [Best track data] window. Then, select a
typhoon whose path you want to track.
When you select the [Past] radio button in the [Best track data] window, the path followed by that
typhoon until the current image is displayed.
When you select the [All] radio button in the [Best track data] window, the entire path followed
by that typhoon is displayed.
When the [Storm] checkbox is selected, a stormy region will be displayed in a circle of solid line.
When the [Gale] checkbox is selected, a gale region will be displayed in a circle of dash line.
When you click on an observation point in the current image, information on that point and
observations obtained there pop-up.
Clicking on the [Color] button in the [Best track data] window opens the [Setup of Track color]
dialog box, where you can change the color of typhoon paths. Up to 5 typhoon paths can be
displayed in different colors. These five colors are repeatedly used for the paths followed by the 6th
and subsequent typhoons.
Figure 5.3.5.6 shows a satellite image displayed with best track data.
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Figure 5.3.5.6
y [Intens]:
y [Synop]:
Clicking on the [Color] button opens the [Setup of wind profiler color] dialog box, where you can
change the color of these elements. When you click on an observation point in the current image,
information on that point and observations obtained there pop-up.
Clicking on the [Time] check box opens the [wind profiler data on time series] window. When
you click on an observation point in the current image, a graph to show changes in selected
elements over time from the animation start time to the animation end time is displayed. When you
further select [Velocity/intensity] in the system menu of the [wind profiler data on time series]
window, the vertical velocity or the S/N ratio is displayed in tiles along with the time series graph.
When you further select [Wind speed], the wind velocity is displayed in tiles along with the time
series graph. And when you further select [Vertical shear], the vertical shear is displayed in tiles
along with the time series graph. They are displayed in different colors. Moreover, when the value
for [10 minutes] is checked, the value data for ten minutes is displayed in the time series.
Figure 5.3.5.7 shows a satellite image synthesized with wind profiler data.
[Note]
To display the wind data of upper air observation (PILOT), use altitudes under standard
atmospheric air.
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62
6. Options
6.1
Clicking on [Data list] in the [Option] menu opens the [Data list] window, where satellite image
data registered in memory is listed in order of registration.
When the [Sort] checkbox is selected, satellite image data is sorted by image type and time.
Figure 6.1 shows the [Data list] window listing satellite image data.
[Del] button
[View] button
[Start] button
[End] button
[Init] button
: Angle at which the image is looked down at from the viewpoint (Specify
an angle relative to the horizon. Assume that the angle increases downward.)
[Angle] field
: Azimuth of the viewpoint (Specify an angle relative to the south. Assume
that the angle increases counter-clockwise)
[Stance] scroll bar : Distance of the viewpoint
[Coeff.] scroll bar : Expansion coefficient of cubic processing
[Initial] button
: Resets your settings to the defaults
[Back] button
: Sets the color of the background of the bird's-eye view
[Rough] checkbox : Displays a rough bird's-eye view of the current image
Figure 6.2 shows a bird's-eye view of a water vapor image and example settings of the [Setup of
Bird's-eye view] window.
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Figure 6.2 A Bird's-eye View of a Water Vapor Image and Example Settings of the [Setup of
Bird's-eye view] Window
[Geography level] opens the [Editing the emphasis] window, where you can set the color of
geographical views.
When you click on [Print] in the system menu of the [Geographical view] window, data displayed
in the window is output to a printer. When you click on [Bitmap], that image is output to a bitmap
file. When you click on [Copy], that image is copied to the clipboard.
Geographical view setting
[Mix] checkbox
[Sea] button
[Brit] scroll bar
[Initial] button
[Path] field
Figure 6.3 shows an infrared image synthesized with a geographical view and example settings of
the [Setup of geographical view] window.
Figure 6.3 An Infrared Image Synthesized with a Geographical View and the [Setup of
geographical view] Window
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6.4
A list of a set of images provides a rough view of the condition of the air and the trends of cloudy
areas for the time period.
Clicking on [Print] in the system menu of an image list window outputs the images to a printer.
Clicking on [Bitmap] outputs the images to a bitmap file. Clicking on [Copy] copies the images to
the clipboard.
Album view setting
[Row] field
[Adjust size] checkbox
[Initial] button
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Figure 6.4.1 A list of Infrared, Water Vapor, Infrared Spilt Window Channel, and VIS Images and
Example Settings of the [Setup of album view] Window
68
Figure 6.4.2 A Sequence of Infrared Images and Example Settings of the [Setup of album view]
window
Figure 6.4.3 shows a list of NWP data for RSM upper air and example settings of the [NWP data
list] window.
Figure 6.4.3
Window
6.5
A List of NWP Data for RSM Upper Air and Example Settings of the [NWP data list]
Selecting [Erase data] from [Erase] in the [Option] menu erases the current image from memory.
Selecting [Erase all] from [Erase] in the [Option] menu erases all data registered in memory.
Selecting [Erase Radar] from [Erase] in the [Option] menu erases all radar data registered in
memory.
Selecting [Erase NWP] from [Erase] in the [Option] menu erases all NWP data registered in
memory.
6.6
Selecting [Print image] from [Print] in the [Option] menu outputs the current image to a printer.
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Selecting [Print screen] from [Print] in the [Option] menu outputs the entire screen including the
image data to a printer.
Selecting [Page setup] from [Print] in the [Option] menu opens the [Setup of page] window,
where you can set the margins of printing paper.
However, you should set the printer and the driver properly before data can be printed normally.
When data is printed in color, there may be differences in tones between the image on the screen
and the output to the printer.
Page setting
[Left] field
[Right] field
[Top] field
[Bottom] field
[mm] radio button
[inch] radio button
[Initial] button
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6.8
Clicking on [Position adjustment] in the [Option] menu opens the [Geographical position
adjustment] window, which helps you fine adjust geographical information on the image (adjust in
increments or decrements of 1.0 points).
When a coastline is displayed in a wrong position in the current image, you can adjust
geographical information on that image to display the coastline in the proper position. When the
[Multi] checkbox is selected, your settings affect other sensor images of the same observation time.
The [Initial] button resets all of your settings to 0.
[North] field
[South] field
[East] field
[West] field
[Multi] checkbox
[Save] button
[Initial] button
Figure 6.8 shows example settings of the [Geographical position adjustment] window.
[Note]
Clicking on the [Save] button while holding down the [Ctrl] key in the 32-bit version outputs the
current satellite image to a compressed file after its geographical information is adjusted.
Usually, position adjustments made here move coastlines and other geographical elements rather
than satellite images. However, when you open the [Geographical position adjustment] window
while holding down the [Ctrl] key, your settings in this window move the current satellite image
rather than coastlines and other geographical elements. In this mode, frame advance buttons are
added. You can click on the buttons to advance satellite images one by one even when you are
adjusting geographical positions.
6.9
Clicking on [Screen size] in the [Option] menu opens the [Screen size] window, where you can
change the width and height of the image display box in pixels and lines, respectively.
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The size of the image display box changes in correspondence with changes in the size of the main
window of the program. The [Screen size] option can be used to accurately specify the size of the
box.
The [Optimize] button sets the image display box to the actual size of the image. The highest
animation speed is achieved in this size. The [Initial] button resets the image display box to the
default size.
The largest allowable size depends on your screen size. A value above the upper limit is
automatically modified to the upper limit.
[Width] field
[Height] field
[Optimize] button
[Initial] button
6.10
Clicking on [Line color] in the [Option] menu opens the [Line color] window, where you can
change color and width of the following lines.
The [Text] button becomes active only after case explanation data is registered in memory.
[Grid] button
[Coast] button
[Draw] button
[Meas] button
[Text] button
[Initial] button
[Thin], [Std], or [Thick] can be chosen by the drop down list of these lines.
Figure 6.10 shows example settings of the [Line color] window.
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6.11
Clicking on [Date & time] in the [Option] menu opens the [Date and time displaying] window,
which helps you change where in the current image the observation date/time and the image type
should be displayed.
[L-up] button
: The observation date/time and the image type are displayed in the upper
left corner of the current image.
[L-low] button
: The observation date/time and the image type are displayed in the lower
left corner of the current image.
[R-up] button
: The observation date/time and the image type are displayed in the upper
right corner of the current image.
[R-low] button
: The observation date/time and the image type are displayed in the lower
right corner of the current image.
[Size] list
: The font size of the observation date/time and the image type are changed.
[Color] button
: The font color of the observation date/time and the image type are changed.
[Satellite] checkbox: The satellite name is added to the observation date/time and the image type.
[Obs.Time] checkbox : The observation date/time changes into scan end date/time.
[Initial] button
: Resets your settings to the defaults.
Figure 6.11 shows an example setting of the [Date and time displaying] window.
Figure 6.11 An Example Setting of the [Date and time displaying] Window
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6.12
Clicking on [Map element] in the [Option] menu opens the [Setup of map element] window,
where you can select which map elements should be displayed on satellite images. This function is
available for the 32-bit program only when extended coastline data is available.
With the system menu, coastline data of various resolution and place name data can be read from
the file.
[Coast] checkbox
[Lake] checkbox
[River] checkbox
[Frontier] checkbox
[Section] checkbox
[H], [M], [L] button
[Initial] button
When place name data is available, the following items become active:
[Name] checkbox:
[Color] button:
Figure 6.12 shows example settings of the [Setup of map element] window.
6.14
When you select [Save value] in the [Option] menu, the following settings are saved in the initial
value file in the directory from which the program is started when the program is terminated. These
settings are used as the initial values at the next startup. When it clicks pressing the [Ctrl] key, it is
75
saved immediately.
However, setting values are the same as internal default value are not saved.
y Animation speed
y Shows/hides latitude/longitude lines
y Intervals at which latitude/longitude lines are displayed
y Shows/hides coastlines
y Shows/hides drawings
y Screen size
y Whether or not images are zoomed at a fixed aspect ratio
y Whether or not you can use scroll bars to move an enlarged view across the entire image
y Whether or not images are displayed in their actual size after registration
y Time intervals at which dummy images are created
y Whether or not images are displayed in blue gradations
y Grayscales set separately for image types
y RBG levels set separately for image types
y Whether or not hourly grayscales are used for visible images
y Line colors
y Position of observation date/time
y Additional map elements to be displayed
y Whether or not the fixed scale is used for time series graphs and cross-sectional graphs
y Settings for isolines
y Whether or not the graph or figure size is adjusted to the window size
y Whether or not graphs or figures are synchronized with animation
y Whether or not you can draw freehand curves
y Shows/hides the range covered by radar
y Shows/hides RAP data
y Settings to display cloud wind vector data
y Settings to display AMeDAS data
y Settings to display synoptic observation data
y Settings to display wind profiler data
y Whether or not double registration of data is prohibited
y Whether or not registration of no data is continued
y Whether or not registered data is sorted in a list
y Settings to display bird's-eye views
y Settings to display geographical views
y Number of rows in album view
y Number of rows in NWP album view
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7. Additional information
7.1
Memory information
Insufficient free memory space significantly affects program performance. When a problem is
found in the behavior of the program, click on [Memory] in the [Help] menu to check available
memory space. Once the [Memory information] window is opened, it is automatically updated
every 2 minutes.
When you register a large number of images in memory and physical memory is used up, swap
(virtual) memory is used and the performance of the program may be significantly affected.
When a malfunction occurs because of lack of resources, click on [Restart win] in the [Help]
menu to restart the program.
Figure 7.1 shows memory information displayed in the [memory information] window.
[Note]
When you are using the program for Windows 3.1 on the Windows 95 operating system, this
window may not provide accurate information.
When you are using the program for Windows 95 on the Windows NT 4.0 operating system or
later, this window provides information on resources as object number.
7.2
Version information
This program is frequently updated for bug fixes or additional functions. You should use the latest
program.
To check the version of your program, check the update date/time of the [GMSLPW.EXE]
execution program before the program is started. You can also click on [About] in the [Help] menu
to check the version after the program is started.
78
When you have installed the program in your system, install the latest program from the latest
monthly report CD-ROM as necessary.
For detailed information on bug fixes or additional functions, click on [Contents] in the [Help]
menu to refer to the help file.
Figure 7.2 shows the [Version information] window.
7.3
Other advices
(1) When you start to display animation while an album view or a bird's-eye view is being
displayed, the cursor may turn into a sandglass-shaped cursor. In that case, stop the animation
to change it back to the original shape.
(2) This program cannot be doubly started. For example, you may want to display brightness
distribution across a cross section in an infrared image and brightness distribution across the
same cross section in a visible image at the same time. In this case, click on the cross-sectional
graph based on the visible image to activate it and press [Alt] + [PrintScreen] keys ([Graph] +
[Copy] keys) to copy the graph to the clipboard. Next, switch to the cross-sectional graph based
on the infrared image. Then, you can start a clipboard viewer to display these two graphs at the
same time.
(3) Replacing the monthly report CD-ROM with another disk after you start the program directly
from the disk may result in abnormal operation of the program. Do not replace the disk while
the program is running.
(4) If you are using the Windows 95 operating system or later with the display mode set to High
Color, gradations of an image may appear coarse on the screen or in printing. Switching to a
different mode (True Color or 256 colors) improves output quality.
7.4
Conditions
(1) This program and manual may not be revised or handed over to a third party without prior
content of the Meteorological Satellite Center. The use of this program and manual is limited to
only non-commercial purposes.
(2) If you use any data pertaining to this program, clearly indicate that it is offered by the
Meteorological Satellite Center.
79
(3) The Meteorological Satellite Center assumes no responsibility for any direct or indirect damage
to the user caused by the use of this program or data pertaining thereto.
(4) No individual support for this program or data pertaining thereto will be performed in principle.
80
8. Case Studies
8.1
This section is intended to help you understand SATAID by presenting case studies from SATAID
learning materials. SATAID learning materials and the [Gmslpw.exe] viewer are provided on CDROM.
[Case 1] Identification of cloud forms
The [cloudT] directory in the CD-ROM contains sample cloud forms and simple exercises.
Double-clicking on the [Gms.idx] index file in this directory displays a menu of case studies (See
Figure 8.1.1). Select one item from the menu and click on the [OK] button to start the registration of
satellite images.
Figure 8.1.1
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The following example shows a case where "Drill of cloud identification (Extratropical
Cyclone)" is selected. When satellite image data is registered successfully, infrared images are
displayed as animation. The assignment of drill is displayed in a text window displayed separately.
Here you are asked to draw a line to define an area of rain clouds and add cloud form symbols.
To identify cloud forms, you need to switch between visible and infrared images, switch between
animation and frame advance, and change gradations appropriately. It may be especially helpful to
switch between visible and infrared images during animation. You can switch these images with
mouse clicks. The function keys (F3: VIS, F5: IR, F7: WV, ...), the space key (every time you press
the space key the display switches between animation and frame advance), and the arrow keys can
also be used for easier operation.
As shown in Figure 8.1.2, cumulonimbus that cause heavy rain look bright and shiny in visible
and infrared images, while thin clouds in the upper level that do not cause rain look bright in an
infrared image and look dark in a visible image. It may also be helpful to enlarge a certain area of
an image.
Figure 8.1.2
The assignment of this drill is to show the area of rain clouds by encircling it with a line. When
you click on the [Draw] button in the operation panel, a sub-panel for drawing appears. Select the
[Thin], [Std], or [Thick] radio button in the sub-panel and drag your mouse to draw a curve that
encircles rain clouds. Or you can click on two or more points and double-click the end point in the
image after the [Curve] checkbox is selected. This will result in a smoother curve.
When you click on the [Extra] button in the sub-panel, another window that contains additional
tools to add characters and symbols to the image appears. The upper section of the tool window
contains tools to add arrows, fronts, and other line information. They can be drawn in the same way
as spline curves. The middle section of the window contains tools to add different symbols. You can
drag and drop a cloud form symbol, a vortex center symbol, or any other symbol to paste it to the
image (See Figure 8.1.3).
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Figure 8.1.3
When you complete the necessary operation, select the [Mark] checkbox in the text window.
Then a pre-analyzed "correct answer" is displayed. By comparing it with your work, you can check
your level of achievement. You can check the area of rain clouds you defined against radar data. To
do that, select the [Radar] checkbox to open the [Radar data] window and then click on the [Mix]
button to display the rain cloud area (See Figure 8.1.4). However, be aware of radar data's behavior
because the radar cannot detect rain behind mountains.
83
Figure 8.1.4
84
Figure 8.1.5
An Example of the Case Study "A Small low which generates in the south of Japan"
85
: Specify a title of the case study displayed in the title bar of the case
[Program] field
Gmslpd.
[Directory] field
: Specify a relative directory that contains data files used in the case
explanation (Specify a directory relative to the directory that contains the case explanation file).
[Note file] field
: Specify a text file used to provide a pop-up view of a description of
terms (The default is Atcnote.dat. The file can be edited in almost the same way as explanation text).
[Image data] list
: Specify data files to be registered in memory and displayed (It is
updated by the satellite image data registered if [Update] button is clicked).
[Initial conditions] section: Set initial conditions under which the main window and the case
explanation window are displayed after satellite image data is registered.
[Ini. File] field
: Specify an initial value file in which the initial conditions of the viewer
are stored after satellite image data is registered (The default is Gmslpw.ini or Gmslpd.ini).
(2) Edit explanation text
To edit a summary of a case study, click on the [About] radio button in the [Setup of article
examination] window and edit text in the text box. To edit hourly explanations, click on the
[Hourly] radio button and edit text in the text box. For hourly explanations, enter text in the line
following an appropriate time slot put in <<yyyy.mm.dd.hh.nnZ>> form.
(3) Set attributes for character strings
To set attributes for explanation text, select a certain character string (by dragging your mouse or
pressing the [Shift] + arrow keys) and click on the [Attrib] button to open the [Setup of article
attribution] window (See Figure 8.2).
[Attrib] button : Set a text color, a emphasis, or other options.
[Note] button : Enter a search word in the text box for which the note file is searched (The
search result is displayed in a pop-up window).
[Link] button : Set a link to image data or text data for reference (Specify a data file in the text
box to which the character string is linked).
86
[Fig] button
: Registers the case explanation data in memory. You can also preview the
: Saves the case explanation data under a new name and registers it in
[Save] button
87
88
9.1
9.2
Center analysis
When you click on the [TC] radio button in the operation panel, radio buttons to analyze tropical
cyclones appear in the operation panel. Selecting the [Center] radio button opens the [Center
analysis] window, which helps you analyze the center of a tropical cyclone, and the [TC CENTER]
window, where the analysis results are displayed.
When you determine the center of a tropical cyclone from animating images, click on the
[Center] radio button in the [Center analysis] window and then click on that point in the image.
Then a center symbol will be added to the image and its location will be displayed in the [TC
CENTER] window. You can delete the center symbol by clicking on the [Del.] button in the [Center
analysis] window.
To determine the center of a tropical cyclone based on the curvature of a cloud band or a
convective cloud line, select the [Circle] radio button in the [Center analysis] window and click on
three points along the cloud band or the convective cloud line in the image. Then a circle along
these three points and its center are drawn and their locations are displayed in the [CIRCLE]
window.
89
To calculate the accuracy of the center, select the [Accr] radio button in the [Center analysis]
window and click on two points in the cloudy area. Then their locations and the distance between
them are displayed in the [Accuracy] window.
To calculate the size of a cloud system, select the [System] radio button in the [Center analysis]
window and click on four points to make a cross that covers the area. Then their locations, the
distances between two pairs of points, and the mean value are displayed in the [System] window.
To determine the center of a tropical cyclone from the pressure distribution of synoptic
observation data, click on the [Compas] radio button in the [Center analysis] window to open the
[Setup of compass method] dialog box and click on a position that seems to be the center in the
image. Then set the radius and the upper limit of atmospheric pressure for the observation data and
the data path and click on the [Set] button. Then data that meets these conditions is displayed in the
list box. If the list contains inappropriate data, click on the station number (You can select two or
more numbers by clicking on them with the [Ctrl] key pressed). Additionally, set the diameter of an
eye, if any. Then click on the [Apply] button. A scattergram will be displayed in the [COMPASS]
window, along with the standard error and expected atmospheric pressure in the center. When you
click on another position that seems to be the center in the image, a new scattergram is displayed
with new data in the [COMPASS] window.
[Center] radio button:
[Circle] radio button:
90
Figure 9.2.1
91
Figure 9.2.2
9.3
Intensity analysis
When you click on the [TC] radio button in the operation panel, radio buttons to analyze tropical
cyclones appear in the operation panel. Selecting the [Intens] radio button opens the [Intensity
analysis] window, where you can estimate the intensity of a tropical cyclone based on Dvorak's EIR
technique.
To determine the gradation of cloudy areas, select the [EIR-C] button in the [Image] section in
the operation panel to display an enhanced infrared satellite image. Then a color scale window
opens next to the satellite image. When you select a gradation in this window, only that gradation
and cooler gradations are displayed.
9.3.1 DT number
(1) [Curved band] pattern
To calculate the DT number (Data T-Number) based on the curvature of the cloud band, select the
[Spiral] radio button in the [Intensity analysis] window and then click on a certain point in the
92
image. Then a spiral curve will be drawn centered on that point. Use the [Rotat.] scroll bar to rotate
the spiral and change the position of the center of the spiral to adapt the curvature of the spiral to
the cloud band (DG or W gradations). Then measure the length of the cloud band. To delete the
spiral, click on the [Del.] button in the [Intensity analysis] window.
(2) [Shear] pattern
To calculate the DT number based on the shortest distance between the center of the cloud system
and the edge of the dense cloud area (warmer side of DG gradation), select the [System] radio
button in the [Intensity analysis] window, click on two points in the image, and measure them.
(3) [Eye] pattern or [Banding eye] pattern
To determine the E number (Eye Number), select the [System] radio button in the [Intensity
analysis] window and then click on two points in the image to measure the narrowest width of the
cloudy area of cold gradations surrounding the eye. You can also click on four points in the image
to measure the average width of the cloud band.
To determine the amount of eye adjustment, select the [System] radio button and click on four
points in the image to measure the size of the eye.
The CF number (Central Feature Number) is determined by adding the amount of eye adjustment
to the E number.
To determine the BF number (Banding Feature Number), select the [BF] radio button in the
[Intensity analysis] window to open the [BF CHART] window. Then, refer to the pattern displayed.
The DT number is determined by adding the BF number to the CF number.
(4) [Embedded center] pattern
To determine the CF number, select the [System] radio button in the [Intensity analysis] window
and click on two points in the image to measure the shortest embedded distance between the center
of the cloud system and the outer edge of the surrounding cloudy area of cold gradations.
To determine the BF number, select the [BF] radio button in the [Intensity analysis] window to
open the [BF CHART] window. Then refer to the pattern displayed.
The DT number is determined by adding the BF number to the CF number.
9.3.3 PT number
To determine the PT number (Pattern T-Number), select the [PT] radio button in the [Intensity
analysis] window to open the [PT CHART] window. Then compare the cloud system against pattern
models displayed in the window.
93
9.3.4 T number
One of the DT number, MET number, and PT number determined in the preceding sub-sections is
adopted as the final T number according to the priority order of DT number > PT number > MET
number. When the characteristics of the cloud pattern are clear, the DT number is used as the T
number, and when the DT number is uncertain, the PT number is used as the T number. When both
the DT number and the PT number are uncertain, the MET number is used as the T number.
However, the T number must be determined under many different restrictions. For more
information, click on [About Dvorak's method] in the [Help] menu.
In Figure 9.3, the intensity of a tropical cyclone of a [curved band] pattern is estimated by
measuring the length of the cloud band in an enhanced infrared image.
94
9.4
History of analysis
When you click on the [TC] radio button in the operation panel, radio buttons to analyze tropical
cyclones appear in the operation panel. Clicking on the [Hist] button opens the [Tropical cyclone
analysis] window, where you can save the results of center analysis and intensity analysis in the
history file.
(1) Preparation for analysis
When you click on the [File] button in the [Tropical cyclone analysis] window, the [Setting
number of tropical cyclone] window will be opened. Then specify a TC number and the directory
that contains the history file and click on the [OK] button (The history file must be given the name
of "TC????.HST" and be the CSV format).
When a tropical cyclone has developed into a typhoon, specify the typhoon number and name in
the [Tropical cyclone analysis] window. When typhoon name data is available, you can select a
typhoon name from the dropdown list.
Clicking on the [Analy] button in the [Tropical cyclone analysis] window opens the [Setting date
and time for analysis] window. Then specify an analysis date and time and click on the [OK] button.
(2) Center analysis
When you analyze the center of a tropical cyclone according to the procedure described in 9.2,
the analysis results are set in the [Tropical cyclone analysis] window.
(3) Intensity analysis
Select the [Intens] checkbox in the [Tropical cyclone analysis] window, analyze the intensity of
the tropical cyclone according to the procedure described in 9.3, and set the analysis results. When
you select a cloud pattern from the dropdown list to determine the DT number, a window
appropriate for determining the DT number for that pattern is opened.
(4) Post-analysis operation
When you click on the [Save] button in the [Tropical cyclone analysis] window after tropical
cyclone analysis, the analysis results are registered in the analysis list.
To modify existing analysis results, select an appropriate line in the analysis list and click on the
[Modify] button. After you make necessary modifications, click on the [Save] button to update the
analysis list.
Finally, click on the [Store] button to save the analysis results in the history file and close the
window.
Figure 9.4 shows an example analysis of a history of tropical cyclones.
95
9.5
When you click on the [TC] radio button in the operation panel, radio buttons to analyze tropical
cyclones appear in the operation panel. Clicking on the [Early] button opens the [Early analysis]
window, where you can discriminate in early stage of tropical cyclones.
T the number of =1.0 can be easily discriminated because circles are drawn if a point clicks in
the image after selecting the radiobutton of each latitude circle when the center can be specified for
the cloud system with a dense cloud area.
[2.5 deg.] radio button
: Circle (dotted line) in the radius as 2.0 lat. and circle (solid
line) in the diameter as 2.5 lat. are drawn.
[1.5 deg.] radio button
: Circle (dashed line) in the diameter as 1.5 lat. are drawn.
[Del.] button
: All latitude circles are deleted.
Figure 9.5 shows an example discrimination in early stage of tropical cyclones.
96
97
10.1
10.2
After the cloud grid information data is registered in the memory in section 5.2.2, the image is
displayed when [TOT], [UPR], [ALT], [COV] or [TYP] button on the operation panel
corresponding to the amount of all clouds, the amount of the upper layer cloud, the cloud top
altitude, the amount of the convection cloud, or the cloud type that is the element of cloud grid
information is selected.
The check box etc. to change the display setting of cloud grid information appears on the
operation panel when the [CGRD] radiobutton on the operation panel is clicked. The information of
cloud grid is displayed in a pop-up window when a point is clicked in the image.
[Tint] checkbox
[Legen] checkbox
[Color] button
Horizontal display can be switched with vertical display for the legend of cloud grid information
when the [- / |] button is clicked. Because the [Setup of color] window opens when the [Color]
button is clicked if the cloud type data is displayed, each color of cloud type can be set.
Figure 10.2 shows an example display of cloud grid information.
98
99
Display:
Cause:
Action:
Display:
Cause:
Action:
Display:
Cause:
Action:
Display:
Cause:
Action:
Display:
Cause:
Action:
Display:
Cause:
Action:
Display:
Cause:
Action:
Display:
Cause:
Action:
Display:
Cause:
Action:
Display:
Cause:
Action:
Display:
Cause:
Action:
Display:
Cause:
Action:
Display:
Cause:
Action:
Display:
Cause:
Action:
Display:
Cause:
Action:
Display:
Cause:
Action:
Display:
Cause:
Action:
Display:
Cause:
Action:
Display:
Cause:
Action:
Display:
Cause:
Action:
Display:
Cause:
Action:
Display:
Cause:
Action:
Display:
Cause:
Action:
Not be supported.
The selected function is not supported.
Prepare the environment for the drivers and files, etc.
Display:
Cause:
Action:
Display:
Cause:
Action:
Error occurred.
Unknown
Restart the system.
102
Glossary
AMeDAS
atc
CAL
CAPE
CIN
convective inhibition
control menu
GPV
GSM
gmslp
idx
extension of case index file which indicates the list of case explanation.
KI
K index
MSC
MSM
NWP
Operation panel
RAP
Ri number
Richardson's number
RSM
SATAID
SSI
system menu
The pull down menu which appears when the Windows logo at the up-left
corner of a window is clicked
CF
DT
Eye Number
PT
T number
Tropical Number
103
Appendix
Appendix 1.
Data Format
Case study data format
Fine name: Use "gms.idx" in the program start directory as the default.
A different directory or a file name can also be used. Be sure to use "idx" as the
extension.
Format:
Text data
In the first line, enter "NUMBER=number of cases" in single-byte characters to
represent the number of cases.
In the second line, enter [ARTICLS] in single-byte characters to indicate the start of a
list of cases.
Usually, the third and subsequent lines constitute a list of cases.
Case file name (single-byte characters) Single-byte space (any number of spaces can
be entered) Title of the case
A line starting with a single-byte semicolon,";", is a comment line.
Example:
NUMBER=2
[ARTICLS]
test1.act case 1 (tapering)
test2.atc case 2 (comma cloud)
File containing all information necessary for that case including images, explanations,
and comments in a figure
File name:
It must reside in the directory that contains the case index file. Use "atc" as the
extension.
Format:
Text data
In the first line, enter [TITLE] in single-byte characters to indicate the title of the case.
In the second line, enter the title of the case.
In the third line, enter [EXEC] in single-byte characters to indicate the program to display the
case explanation.
In the fourth line, enter the name of the program to display the case explanation (excluding the
extension).
In the fifth line, enter [SUBDIR] in single-byte characters to indicate the directory of each data.
104
In the sixth line, enter the relative directory of each data (you can enter more than one directory
separated with a semicolon).
In the seventh line, enter [NOTE] in single-byte characters to indicate the data file to display
term explanations.
In the eighth line, enter the data file name to display term explanations.
In the ninth line, enter [IMAGE] in single-byte characters to indicate the start of a list of image
files.
In the tenth line, enter the number of images and image types in single-byte characters. Image
types are represented by "VIS" (visible), "VS2" (visible-2), "IR" (infrared), "IR2" (infrared-2),
"WV" (water vapor), "IR4" (infrared-4), "SP" (split window), "S2" (difference), "RADAR"
(radar), "RSMUP" (RSM upper air), "RSMSF" (RSM surface), "GSM" and "MSM". Separate
image types with a single-byte space.
The eleventh to Xth lines constitute a list of data times and image file names (The number of
lines depends on the number of images). Enter data times in the "yyyy.mm.dd.hh.nnZ" form for
the first item. Enter an image file name for each image type for the second and subsequent items.
Separate file names with a single-byte space.
Enter [INIT] in single-byte characters to indicate that the subsequent lines specify the initial state
of image data after registration.
Enter "IMAGE=IR/WV/VIS/etc." in single-byte characters to indicate the image type to be
displayed.
Enter "TIME=yyyy.mm.dd.hh.nnZ" in single-byte characters to indicate the time of the image to
be displayed.
Enter "ANIM=ON/OFF" in single-byte characters to indicate whether animation is switched on
or off.
Enter "TEXT=ON/OFF" in single-byte characters to indicate whether explanation text is
displayed or not.
Enter "MARK=ON/OFF" in single-byte characters to indicate whether additional symbols are
displayed or not.
Enter "BMP=ON/OFF" in single-byte characters to indicate whether bitmap images are
displayed or not.
Enter "TALK=ON/OFF" in single-byte characters to indicate whether the auto speech function is
switched on or off.
Enter "SUMRY=ON/OFF" in single-byte characters to indicate whether a summary of the case is
displayed or not.
Enter "MINI=ON/OFF" in single-byte characters to indicate whether the initial state is
minimized or not.
Enter "FONT=nn" in single-byte characters to indicate the font size for explanation text.
105
Enter "FILE=file name" in single-byte characters to indicate the initial value file of the viewer.
Enter "LIMIT=yyyy.mm.dd.hhZ" in single-byte characters to indicate the display term limitation
of observation data. (only the 32-bit version)
Enter "TERM=Start_time End_time" in single-byte characters to indicate the start and end time
of animation. (only the 32-bit version)
Enter "ZOOM=Nothern_lat,Western_lon,Southern_lat,Eastern_lon" in single-byte characters to
indicate the region of zooming display. (only the 32-bit version)
Enter [TEXT] in single-byte characters to indicate that the subsequent lines give an overview of
the case and explain individual images.
When you use the -G option as shown below, the character string is displayed with a green
underline. When you move the cursor to the green underlined string, the cursor turns into a different
shape. Clicking on the character string opens a related application, which opens the file.
In the case of a text file with the extension name as ".MLT" which reference file names (a relative
path is possible) are described at every line, related application is executed to each file. (only the
32-bit version)
In the case of a text file with the extension name as ".SAT" which satellite image file names to
replace are described at every line, the same time dummy images are replaced by these, respectively.
However, the once replaced dummy images cannot be returned to origin. (only the 32-bit version)
....{-G "file name" character string}....
When you use the -H option as shown below, the character string is displayed with a green
underline. When you move the cursor to the green underlined string, the cursor turns into a different
shape. Clicking on the character string provides a pop-up view of a description of the term from the
note file.
106
Line format:
Border format:
Arrow format:
Ci streak format:
Tv line format:
Cl line format:
Trough format:
Ridge format:
Paint format:
0 (Polygon)
1 (Polygon of a dashed line)
2 (Polygon with a transparent border)
108
3 (Closed curve)
4 (Closed curve of a waved line)
Ellipse format:
Circle format:
Cloud form:
0 (Ellipse)
1 (Dashed line ellipse)
2 (Circle)
3 (Dashed line circle)
//MARK [-C color] [-S size] [-M] cloud form latitude longitude
The latitude and longitude decide the position of the center of
the cloud form (-M reverses the cloud form left to right).
CI (upper cloud)
CM (middle cloud)
CU (cumulus)
CG (calvus cumulonimbus/cumulus congestus)
CB (cumulonimbus)
SC (stratocumulus)
ST (fog or stratus)
LV (lower cloud vortex)
HV (upper cloud vortex)
BV (meso scale cloud vortex)
TY (vortex center of a tropical cyclone) with an eye
TX (vortex center of a tropical cyclone) without an eye
WV (wave cloud)
XM (x mark)
"file name" (An additional mark can be drawn in a monochrome
bitmap file)
Barb format:
Trajectory format:
Delay format:
Group format:
TC center format:
Spiral format:
-H hatch option:
-C color option:
The color of additional symbols can be specified with a singlebyte character string (The first three characters and the -suffix
are valid).
BLACK (black)
BLUE (blue)
RED (red)
MAGENTA (purple)
GREEN (green)
CYAN (light blue)
110
YELLOW (yellow)
WHITE (white)
BLACK- (dark gray)
BLUE- (dark blue)
RED- (dark red)
MAGENTA- (dark purple)
GREEN- (dark green)
CYAN- (dark light blue)
YELLOW- (dark yellow)
WHITE- (gray)
The default is the color of explanation lines set in the line color
setting menu.
-S size option:
The size of additional symbols can be specified with a singlebyte number (8 to 72) or with a single-byte character (H for 36,
L for 24, M for 18, and S for 12). The default is S.
-B thickness option:
Comment:
//;....
A line starting with two single-byte slashes and a single-byte
semicolon (//;) is considered a comment and ignored.
Explanation text must end with <<TEXT_END>>. Entries after this statement are considered
comments.
111
Example:
[TITLE]
An example of a tapering cloud
[SUBDIR]
DATA
[IMAGE]
5 IR VIS
1990.08.16.12Z ir900816.z12 vs900816.z12
1990.08.16.15Z ir900816.z15 vs900816.z15
1990.08.16.18Z ir900816.z18 vs900816.z18
1990.08.16.21Z ir900816.z21 vs900816.z21
1990.08.17.00Z ir900817.z00 vs900817.z00
[INIT]
IMAGE=IR
TIME=1990.08.16.12Z
ANIM=ON
TEXT=ON
MARK=ON
BMP=OFF
TALK=OFF
[TEXT]
A {-CMAGENTA tapering cloud} of L1 type is generated near the center of a {-DB cyclonic
disturbance} and moves southwest relative to the center...
<<1990.08.16.12Z>>
At 12UTC on August 16, 1990, a {-CBLUE cloud band that represents a front} was found
extending from the northern part of Japan to the Yellow Sea. This cloud band slowly moved south.
//LINE-CRED -BS 40 137 35 130 30 122.3
//ARROW -BS 32 132 34 128
//STRING -CCYAN "This line represents a front" 32 137.2
//LETTER -CYELLOW -SL A 33.3 128.3
//BMP "AS081612.BMP"
:
:
<<1990.08.17.00Z>>
In response to a deep 500 hpa trough, a northward bulge of cloudy area over the southern part of the
Japan Sea becomes distinct at 00UTC on August 17, 1990. At the same time, the {-H cloud band} to
the west of the bulge disappeared gradually...
<<TEXT_END>>
ACTNOTE.DAT (default)
A different file name can be used as long as it is expressly specified in the case
explanation file described in the previous sub-section.
<<Term 1>>
A description of Term 1
<<Term 2>>
A description of Term 2
:
<<TEXT_END>>
Animation format :
//ANIM display-sensor start-time end-time [display-time/ANIM]
Display sensor :IR,WV,VIS,SP,IR4,S2,IR2,VS2
Start and end time :yyyy.mm.dd.hh.nnZ
If the character string related with article explanation is clicked, a displayed sensor image will be
changed into specified one and the animation range is changed. If a display time parameter is
specified, an animation will be stopped and the image for its time will be displayed. Moreover,
specification of an ANIM parameter starts an animation.
Restriction format :
//LIMIT restriction time
Restriction time :yyyy.mm.dd.hh.nnZ
If the character string related with article explanation is clicked, the display period of other
observation data will be changed. Here, restriction is canceled when restriction time is omitted.
Moreover, it is changed into the data time when a dummy image is replaced by the satellite image
(only the 32-bit version).
Sound format :
//WAVE "file_name"
If the character string related with article explanation is clicked, the WAV file is read and the
sound data is output (only 32-bit version).
Cleanup format : //CLEAR
If the character string related with article explanation is clicked, the mark etc. has been drawn
from a term data file is deleted because the display image is updated.
Zoom format :
//ZOOM Nothern_lat,Western_lon,Southern_lat,Eastern_lon
If the character string related with article explanation is clicked, specified area of displayed
image is zoomed in. When specified area is omitted, it becomes a normal display (only 32-bit
version).
Content
Format
113
14
5 12
13 20
21 24
25 - 56
57 88
89 92
93 96
97 100
Record length
Sensor name
Satellite name
Channel number
Filming start
date/time
Filming end
date/time
Whether coordinate
conversion is
performed or not
Number of pixels
before conversion
Number of lines
before conversion
101 104
Pixel resolution
105 108
Line resolution
109 112
113 116
117 120
121 124
125 128
129 132
Number of pixels
after conversion
Number of lines
after conversion
Number of records
Byte length
Data range after
conversion
Fixed: 256
'GMS-VIS'etc.
'GMS-5'etc.
Not used
I*4
C*8
C*8
I*4
I*4
I*4
Month
I*4
Day
I*4
Hour
I*4
Minute
I*4
Second
I*4
Millisecond
I*4
I*4
I*4
Month
I*4
Day
I*4
Hour
I*4
Minute
I*4
Second
I*4
Millisecond
I*4
1: Yes, 0: No
I*4
I*4
I*4
R*4
R*4
I*4
I*4
I*4
I*4
R*4
R*4
133 136
137 140
141 144
145 148
149 152
153 156
157 160
161 164
165 168
169 192
193 196
197 200
201 204
205 208
209 212
213 216
217 248
Calibration number
Start level value
Final level value
Reserved
Roll angle (#)
Pitch angle (#)
Yaw angle (#)
Latitude (#)
Logitude (#)
Satellite Altitude (#)
Reserved
I*4
I*4
I*4
R*4
R*4
R*4
R*4
R*4
R*4
R*4
R*4
R*4
R*4
R*4
R*4
249 252
Version
Version of file
C*4
253 256
Record length
Fixed: 256
I*4
Note: A sensor name is the form of XXX-SSS. Although XXX does not have regulation, SSS
follows below;
Visible
: VS, V1 or VIS
Visible-2
: V2 or VS2
Infrared
: IR, I1 or IR1
Infrared-2
: I2 or IR2
Water vapor
: WV, I3 or IR3
Infrared-4
: I4 or IR4
Infrared difference
: SP, S1 or SP1
Infrared-4 difference
: S2 or SP2
etc.
(#) It is valid if the file version is '1.1'.
Prefix
5X
Calibration
value
Content
Format
Number of bytes per block: N
I*4
(Integral multiple of record length)
Amount of reflection for each level
R*4
value (0.00 to 1.00) or brightness
temperature (K)
115
(X+1)-(N-4) Empty
(N-3)- N
Prefix
Number of bytes per block
Note: X = calibration number 4 +4
I*4
Content
Format
Number of bytes per line: N
14
Prefix
I*4
(Integral multiple of record length)
Level value for each pixel
5X
Satellite data
C*1
X: number of pixels + 4
(X+1)-(N-4) Empty
(N-3)- N
Prefix
Number of bytes per line
I*4
Note: I*4 in the format column represents a four-byte integer, R*4 represents a four-byte real
number, and C*8 represents an eight-byte character string.
Numerical notation: IEEE format (little endian), character notation: ASCII code
Satellite data: square (latitude/longitude) coordinate system
Content
Fixed: 256
'RADAR'
Format
I*4
C*8
I*4
I*4
116
Month
I*4
Day
I*4
Hour
I*4
89 92
Minute
I*4
Number of pixels in longitudinal
Number of pixels
I*4
direction
Number of pixels in latitudinal
Number of lines
I*4
direction
Number of
Number of records per line
I*4
records
Byte length
Byte length per pixel
I*4
Latitude of the northwest end of
Data range
R*4
image (degree)
(Same as satellite Longitude of the northwest end
R*4
data)
of image (degree)
Latitude of the northeast end of
R*4
image (degree)
Longitude of the northeast end of
R*4
image (degree)
Latitude of the southwest end of
R*4
image (degree)
Longitude of the southwest end
R*4
of image (degree)
Longitude of the southwest end
R*4
of image (degree)
Longitude of the southeast end of
R*4
image (degree)
Calibration
Echo intensity level number
I*4
number
Start level
I*4
93 96
Final level
37 40
41 44
45 48
49 52
53 56
57 60
61 64
65 68
69 72
73 76
77 80
81 84
85 88
I*4
97 112
Reserved
113 240
Calibration value Echo intensity (mm/h)
241 252
Reserved
253 - 256
Record length
Fixed: 256
Note: A data name follows below;
Radar : RADAR
RAP
: JMARAP.
R*4
I*4
3.4 Calibration section (required only when the echo intensity level is over 32)
Byte position Item
14
Prefix
Content
Number of bytes per block: N
(Integral multiple of record length)
117
Format
I*4
Calibration
Echo intensity for each level value
value
(mm/h)
(X+1)-(N-4) Empty
(N-3)- N
Prefix
Number of bytes per block
Note: X = Calibration number 4 + 4
5X
R*4
I*4
Prefix
5X
Echo intensity
data
Content
Number of bytes per line: N
(Integral multiple of record length)
Level for each pixel value
X: number of pixels + 4
Format
I*4
C*1
(X+1)-(N-4)
(N-3)- N
Prefix
Number of bytes per line
I*4
Note: The format is the same as satellite image data.
Echo intensity data is also based on the square (latitude/longitude) coordinate system.
0
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
Intensity
(mm/h)
0
1
2
3
6
10
14
20
28
36
44
52
60
72
88
96
255
Level
Description
(mm/h)
No precipitation
0.0 < 1.0
1.0 < 2.0
2.0 < 4.0
4.0 < 8.0
8.0 < 12.0
12.0 < 16.0
16.0 < 24.0
24.0 < 32.0
32.0 < 40.0
40.0 < 48.0
48.0 < 56.0
56.0 < 64.0
64.0 < 80.0
80.0 < 96.0
96.0
No observation
118
Appendix 4.
: UPyymmdd.Zhh
: SFyymmdd.Zhh
:GSyymmdd.Zhh
: MSyymmdd.Zhh (only the 32-bit version)
The yy, mm, dd, and hh represent the year, month, day, and hour of the initial time, respectively.
The year is represented by the last 2 digits. Time is based on UTC.
The following are repeated for the number of element types in index(17) (k=0, knum-1)
index(17+k*4+1): element type number (surface) or altitude (upper air)
index(17+k*4+2): element storage position (surface)(refer to Note) or element type number
(upper air)
index(17+k*4+3): reference value (a: refer to Note 2)
index(17+k*4+4): scale factor (b: refer to Note 2)
Note 1: Cloud amount data and humidity data, both of which are surface data elements, are stored in
units of % as single-byte data in the sixth and seventh positions. The first half of the sixth and
seventh data is represented by and the last half is represented by +. When loaded data is x and real
data is y, y=mod(x,256) when data is stored in +6 and y=x/256 when data is stored in 6.
Note 2: When loaded data is x and real data is y, y=a+x/b.
index(17+knum*4+1) and subsequent indexes are not used.
Second and subsequent records: data record (idat: 2-byte integer type array)
idat(1): forecast time, idat(2): element sequence number
idat(3) and subsequent: data (latitudinal direction: outer loop: north south, longitudinal
direction: inner loop: west east)
119
2
3
4
5
6F
6S
7F
7S
Element type
Unit
name
Precipitation
for one
preceding
hour
Pressure
reduced to
mean sea level
East-west
wind velocity
North-south
wind velocity
Air
temperature
Relative
humidity
Low cloud
amount
Middle cloud
amount
Upper cloud
amount
Element
Reference Scale
type
value
factor
number
mm
100
49
hPa
1000
100
m/s
100
23
m/s
100
24
273
100
ratio
100
13
ratio
100
227
ratio
100
228
ratio
100
229
Remarks
1-byte
data
1-byte
data
1-byte
data
1-byte
data
2
3
4
Reference Scale
value
factor
Element
type
number
mm
10
201
hPa
1000
100
Surface
m/s
100
23
Surface
m/s
100
24
120
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
21
22
23
24
25
26
27
Air
temperature
Dew-point
depression
Geopotential
height
East-west
wind velocity
North-south
wind velocity
Air
temperature
Dew-point
depression
Vertical pvelocity
Equivalent
potential
temperature
Geopotential
height
East-west
wind velocity
North-south
wind velocity
Air
temperature
Dew-point
depression
Vertical pvelocity
Relative
vorticity
Equivalent
potential
temperature
Geopotential
height
East-west
wind velocity
North-south
wind velocity
Air
temperature
Dew-point
depression
Vertical p-
Surface
273
100
Surface
100
11
925
gpm
925
m/s
100
23
925
m/s
100
24
925
273
100
925
100
11
925
hPa/hr
10
42
925
273
100
850
gpm
850
m/s
100
23
850
m/s
100
24
850
273
100
850
100
11
850
hPa/hr
10
42
850
10**6/s
10
30
850
273
100
700
gpm
700
m/s
100
23
700
m/s
100
24
700
273
100
700
100
11
700
hPa/hr
10
42
121
28
29
30
31
32
33
34
35
36
37
38
39
40
41
42
43
44
45
46
47
48
49
velocity
Relative
vorticity
Equivalent
potential
temperature
Geopotential
height
East-west
wind velocity
North-south
wind velocity
Air
temperature
Dew-point
depression
Vertical pvelocity
Relative
vorticity
Equivalent
potential
temperature
Geopotential
height
East-west
wind velocity
North-south
wind velocity
Air
temperature
Dew-point
depression
Vertical pvelocity
Equivalent
potential
temperature
Geopotential
height
East-west
wind velocity
North-south
wind velocity
Air
temperature
Dew-point
700
10**6/s
10
30
700
273
100
500
gpm
500
m/s
100
23
500
m/s
100
24
500
273
100
500
100
11
500
hPa/hr
10
42
500
10**6/s
10
30
500
273
100
400
gpm
400
m/s
100
23
400
m/s
100
24
400
273
100
400
100
11
400
hPa/hr
10
42
400
273
100
300
gpm
300
m/s
100
23
300
m/s
100
24
300
273
100
300
100
11
122
50
51
52
53
54
55
56
57
58
59
60
61
62
63
64
65
66
67
68
69
70
71
depression
Vertical pvelocity
Equivalent
potential
temperature
Geopotential
height
East-west
wind velocity
North-south
wind velocity
Air
temperature
Dew-point
depression
Vertical pvelocity
Equivalent
potential
temperature
Geopotential
height
East-west
wind velocity
North-south
wind velocity
Air
temperature
Dew-point
depression
Vertical pvelocity
Equivalent
potential
temperature
Geopotential
height
East-west
wind velocity
North-south
wind velocity
Air
temperature
Dew-point
depression
Vertical p-
300
hPa/hr
10
42
300
273
100
250
gpm
250
m/s
100
23
250
m/s
100
24
250
273
100
250
100
11
250
hPa/hr
10
42
250
273
100
200
gpm
200
m/s
100
23
200
m/s
100
24
200
273
100
200
100
11
200
hPa/hr
10
42
200
273
100
150
gpm
150
m/s
100
23
150
m/s
100
24
150
273
100
150
100
11
150
hPa/hr
10
42
123
velocity
Equivalent
72
150
K
273
100
9
potential
temperature
Note: Elements of GSM are equivalent to what replaced the precipitation for 3 preceding hours of
RSM upper to the precipitation for 6 preceding hours.
Elements of MSM are equivalent to what replaced the precipitation for 3 preceding hours of
RSM upper to the precipitation for a preceding hour.
Appendix 5.
: UPyymmdd.Zhh
: SFyymmdd.Zhh
:GSyymmdd.Zhh
: MSyymmdd.Zhh (only the 32-bit version)
The yy, mm, dd, and hh represent the year, month, day, and hour of the initial time, respectively.
The year is represented by the last 2 digits. Time is based on UTC.
Item
Data name
File version
Reserved
Endian
Size of control block
21 24
I*4
25 28
I*4
29 32
33 34
Content
'SATAID-GPV'
' 2.0'etc.
0
0:big, 1:little
128
Format
C*10
C*4
I*1
I*1
I*4
I*4
Year
124
I*2
35 36
37 38
39 40
41 42
43 44
45 46
47 48
49 52
53 56
57 60
61 64
65 68
Forecast time
69 72
73 74
75 76
77 128
Space
Month
Day
Hour (UTC)
Number of steps
First time (h)
Step interval (h)
2 for latitude/longitude grids
Longitudinal direction
Latitudinal direction
Longitude (degree)
Latitude (degree)
Longitudinal direction (degree)
I*2
I*2
I*2
I*2
I*2
I*2
I*2
I*4
I*4
R*4
R*4
R*4
R*4
I*2
0:upper, 1:surface
I*2
Item
Format
I*2
56
78
I*2
34
Above four items for one set repeats by number of element types
:
Note 1, Note 2: Refer to Appendix 4.2.
8-
I*2
I*2
I*2
Item
Format
I*2
I*2
I*2
Note: I*4 in the format column represents a four-byte integer, R*4 represents a four-byte real
number, and C*4 represents a four-byte character string.
125
Appendix 6.
File name
: BINMAP.DAT (fixed)
Appendix 7.
File name
File content
Byte position
1-14
15
16
17-18
19-20
21-22
31-32
Item
Identification of file
Version of file
Endian of data
Order number
Element of segment
Westernmost
longitude
Easternmost
longitude
Southernmost
latitude
Northernmost
latitude
Number of segment
joint
Longitude of joint
33-34
Latitude of joint
23-24
25-26
27-28
29-30
Content
'MSIAL_MAP'
0
0:little,1:big
1
1 ~ 6 (refer to note)
0.01 degree (-180~180)
Format
char
unsigned char
unsigned char
unsigned short
unsigned short
short
short
short
short
unsigned short
short
short
??
Order number
126
unsigned short
??
Order number
0 (End of data)
unsigned short
Note: Element 1 (continental coastlines), 2 (coastlines of island), 3 (lakefront lines), 4 (rivers), 5
(frontier lines), 6 (boundary lines)
Appendix 8.
File name
File content
: STRING.DAT
:
Byte position
Item
Content
Format
1-12
Identification of file
'MAP_STRING'
char
13
Version of file
0
unsigned char
14
Endian of data
0:little,1:big
unsigned char
15-16
Total of place name
?
unsigned short
17-18
Order number
1
unsigned short
19-20
Element
1 ~ 12 (refer to note)
unsigned short
21-22
Latitude
0.01 degree (-90~90)
short
23-24
Longitude
0.01 degree (-180~180)
short
25-28
Address
(position from head of file)
long
29-30
Order number
2
unsigned short
:
:
:
:
37-40
Address
(position from head of file)
long
:
:
Above information of place name is repeated.
:
:
:
:
??
Place name
Tail of characters is NULL.
char
:
Above place name is repeated.
:
:
Note: Element 1 (water), 2 (land), 3 (region), 4 (island), 5 (lake), 6 (river), 7(mountain),
8(country), 9(prefecture), 10(capital), 11(prefectural capital), 12(city)
Appendix 9.
File name:
STAINF.DAT (fixed)
128