GEMPAK Status Report

Steve Chiswell
September 20, 2001

Highlights

  • Online user registration/download now available.
  • GEMPAK user training workshop held July 30 - August 1, 2001
  • Gempak 5.6.d.1 Released: new feature summary
  • Gempak 5.6.c.1 Released: new feature summary
  • NEXRAD composites being created using GDRADR and inserted into FNEXRAD datastream as GRIB products.

    Previous developments

    See March 2001 status report for past information.

  • GEMPAK 5.6.A Released: feature summary
  • Gempak 5.6 Released: feature summary
  • Redbook graphics as an alternative to DIFAX
  • Display of CIMSS derived satellite products (Patch 17 to GEMPAK 5.4)
  • New sfcntr surface data contouring program- eliminates the need to perform objective analysis on data first.
  • Radar composites, RCM display
  • Garp 2.1 released
  • GEMPAK and Y2K
  • ACARS data for use in GEMPAK
  • NSHARP interactive SKEW-T program ported to UPC platforms
  • NOAAport transition and GEMPAK
  • GEMPAK source distribution for PC/OS
  • SHEF decoder available
  • DCGRIB updated for additional NCEP grids (CONDUIT data project)

    Web pages and documentation for GEMPAK 5.6 have been updated.

    Online user registration/download now available

    Users can now register online to become a licensed Unidata site and download GEMPAK. This process eliminates the paper license process and the need to distribute FTP passwords. Each user creates their own login and password. The user registration is part of the PlazaElectra portal development.

    GEMPAK Training Workshops

    The GEMPAK training workshop was held July 30 through August 1, 2001 in the new UCAR corporate training facilities in the Pearl St. complex. This facility can accomodate a greater number of attendees than is possible in the Unidata conference room. A total of 28 registrations were received (24 showed up). The GEMPAK workshop covered the new 5.6.D.1 release.

    GEMPAK5.6.C.1 & GEMPAK 5.6.D.1 Released

    Unidata releases of GEMPAK5.6.C.1 (April 27, 2001) and GEMPAK 5.6.D.1 (July 20, 2001) have been made available. NCEP and UPC developments continue. Mary desJardins will present a paper at the 2002 AMS in Orlando discussing development plans for NMAP as a part of AWIPS.

    Online and hardcopy documentation has been updated for the 5.6.D.1 release.

    NEXRAD composites being created and inserted into FNEXRAD datastream

    National and Regional radar composites are being created using GDRADR and inserted into the FNEXRAD data stream as GRIB products. The regional composite is designed to be relocatable floater as weather conditions warrant. GRIB products are used so that the products are independent of the display package.

    Ongoing Additions

    COMET case studies available via CODIAC

    COMET case studies are compatible with the GEMPAK/NAWIPS environment, and are being made available via the CODIAC system.

    GEMPAK workshop and tutorial online

    All the handouts/displays for the GEMPAK workshop are been made available through the GEMPAK web page tutorial. Included in the presentation are numerous sample exercises and output samples. This format of presentation allows workshop participants to be able to review or utilize any of the material at their home institution. The tutorial is updated as new features dictate.

    The GEMPAK tutorial can be found at: http://www.unidata.ucar.edu/packages/gempak/tutorial