Bufkit version 11
December 30, 2011
Overview
BUFKIT is a forecast profile visualization and analysis tool kit. It is targeted as a training and forecast tool for the decision makers of the National Weather Service. It is also available to anyone that would like to explore very high vertical and temporal resolution model output for specific point locations.
BUFKIT 11 provides enhanced winter weather displays including frost point and visualization of supersaturation with respect to ice. Both are critical to the prediction of snowfall.
Download and Install
Option 1: Full Installation
Download the Bufkit 11 distribution
package. Unzip the three files in the distribution package. Note the location of the file "Setup.exe".
1) If you install on a PC that has never run Bufkit before, just perform a standard install by running the program "Setup.exe" and run BUFKIT/BUFGET.
2) If you install on a PC that currently has BUFKIT installed:
- Uninstall the previous version of BUFKIT
- Install this version by running the unzipped program "Setup.exe"
- Run BUFKIT and BUFGET.
- Use the “Training” button to access the BUFKIT training videos.
Option 2: If you want to upgrade your existing Bufkit 10.7 (or newer) to Bufkit 11
Download the Bufkit 11 upgrage package. Unzip the files in the distribution package. Copy all the files into your existing Bufkit installation directory. You will be overwriting the old files with the new Bufkit files.
Bufkit 11 Specifics:
- Frost Point.Bufkit can now display the frost point on the profile display. Take note of where Frost Point exceeds the temperature.
- Relative Humidity. The BUFKIT 11 profile display now plots Relative Humidity in excess of 70% as histograms.
- Relative Humidity (over ice). To support Snow Crystal growth modes, Bufkit can now display Relative Humidity with respect to ice, allowing for visualization of supersaturated conditions.
- Improved Snow ratio displays. Bufkit includes the 2011 update to the Cobb-Waldstreicher technique and access to Snow Ratio CWA climatology studies by Marty Baxter.
- Improved Linux Support. Bufkit 11 can now run in Linux using WINE at 99% of the functionality that is available under Windows.
- Automatic Quality Control of Model Data. As part of plotting data on the Overview display, Bufkit will examine model data for data quality control issues. If found, Bufkit will elevate the model QC issues to the forecaster’s attention.
- Improved time-date calculations. With a change between Daylight time and standard time Bufkit 11 will adapt all site-specific time calculations and configurations with a single selection option.
Bufkit 10 Specifics
More information on what is available startin Bufkit 10 are available at: http://www.wdtb.noaa.gov/tools/bufkit/index10-11.html
Questions
NWS staff can contact me via e-mail: 
Archived Versions
BUFKIT 9.06 Release
BUFKIT 9.07 Technology Preview
BUFKIT 10.11 Release |
weather.gov 
