Bufkit version 10.11

November 10, 2010

"The RENCI Release"

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 10.11 provides several improvements to visualize ensemble profiles so forecasters can better integrate uncertainty into the forecast and warning process. In addition, Bufkit 10.11 provides support for the new NWS-RENCI experimental forecast profiles.

BUFKIT 10.11 also provides easy access to WDTB’s 16-member 24km WRF ensembles for over 1000 points in (and near) CONUS using the Bufget application:

Download and Install:

Option 1: If you want a full initial install

Download the Bufkit 10.11 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 do 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 10.11

Download the Bufkit 10.7 to Bufkit 10.11 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 10 Specifics:

1. Ensemble support.  BUFKIT supports up to forecast profiles with up to 16 ensemble elements.
2. SREF support. BUFKIT 10 supports the SREF bufr profiles.
3. Plume diagrams.  Many of the BUFKIT overview displays can be toggled into plume displays
4. Snow accumulation.  Summing up hourly snowfall amount to get a total is not the way snow is measured.  BUFKIT 10.6 provides a new “Snow Accumulation” plot to align hourly model output with official snow measurement procedures.
5. Keyboard shortcuts.  BUFKIT 10.7 provides many keyboard shortcuts for commonly used functions.  Examples include the arrow keys to navigate through time and ensembles, and the “E” key to toggle ensemble elements on and off.
6. CAPE-Shear diagrams.  Three new CAPE-Shear diagrams are available on the profile panel.
7. Geographic site selection.  In addition to choosing a site by its ID. You can now use the Map display to select a forecast profile.
8. Compressed BUFKIT file support.  Bufkit 10.7 (and Bufget) accepts “.BUZ” files in addition to “.BUF” files.  The .BUZ files are less than 30% of the size of the equivalent “.BUF” file.
9. Time cursor.  On the overview display, the current selected forecast hour (displayed on the profile panel) is highlighted with a vertical cursor.  (The keyboard shortcut “C” toggles the cursor on and off.)
10. Profile in Picture (PIP).  When PIP is selected, BUFKIT inserts a forecast profile into the overview display.  The forecast hour is determine by the left-clicking the mouse on the overview display.
11. BUFGET enhancements.  BUFGET can now support 20 site lists.  Also, BUFGET retrievals are now much more robust and can recover from incorrect URLs.
12. Enhanced maps. Map sets include US, Canada, County, CWA, and World. All map sets can be used in any combination.

Limitations:

1. BUFKIT 10 has not been optimized for performance and requires more processing capability when working with ensembles.  Slower computers may not be responsive.
2. 2. BUFKIT 10 has been tested under Linux using WINE and is about 90% functional with a default installation. However, with a small modification to the default Linux/WINE install Bufkit 10 is close to 100% functional under Linux.
3. Ensemble profile generation requires extensive computing capacity.  As of November 2010, about 10 NWS locations are generating ensemble profiles.

Screen Captures:

1. SREFs (All 21 Ensemble Members)

2. Ensembles and the CAPE-Shear Display

3. Ensemble Nomograms (P-Type in this case)

4. Geographic Site Selection

5. P-Type and Snow Accumulation Plot

6. Ensembled Plume Display (Transport Wind Speed in this case)

7. Enhanced Maps

8. Keyboard shortcuts:

BUFKIT Ensemble Production

To support WDTB’s instructors and research associates participating training development.

1) Model:  The workstation WRF
2) Resolution:  24 KM
3) Frequency:  00Z and 12z
4) Ensemble Elements:  There are 16 ensemble elements available.  The elements vary by selecting different workstation WRF options.

5)  Domain:  There are about 1000 ensemble profiles in the domain:

6)  Progressive BUFKIT Ensemble Profile Production.
We do not wait for all ensemble elements to be generated before posting the profile to the web.  As soon as an ensemble element becomes available, we’ll regenerate and post the updated profile. 
7)  You can use BUFGET to download the BUFKIT Ensembles. 
BUFGET has pre-defined scripts that allow you to download profiles by state.

Questions

NWS staff can contact me via e-mail:

Archived Versions

BUFKIT 9.06 Release
BUFKIT 9.07 Technology Preview