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Incorporating Geographic Information Systems (GIS) into the Atmospheric

Sciences Curriculum

J. Greg DobsonGIS Research Coordinator

RENCI at UNC-Asheville Engagement CenterNational Environmental Modeling and Analysis Center

Adjunct FacultyDepartment of Atmospheric Sciences

University of North Carolina - Asheville

Outline

• A brief Introduction to GIS• How GIS is being incorporated into the

National Weather Service and other NOAA Agencies

• An overview of the “GIS in Meteorology” class at UNC Asheville

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What is GIS?

• Geographic Information Systems (GIS) – A system of computer hardware, software, data, and

workflow procedures for collecting, storing, analyzing and disseminating information about areas of the earth

– GIS uses spatial and attribute data with vector and raster data structures to create geographic models

– GIS also allows for the representation of a third dimension which is usually elevation (i.e. Digital Elevation Model (DEM)

– GIS easily incorporates high resolution imagery

Its More Than Just GIS……

• GIS is just one “geographic / spatial” tool• GIS vs. Geospatial tools• Virtual Globes – A Hybrid GIS, very

popular, but not a true GIS– Google Earth– Microsoft Virtual Earth– NASA World Wind

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Why Teach GIS to ATMS Students?

• Many NOAA agencies and other ATMS-related programs are now utilizing GIS on a daily basis– National Weather Service– National Climatic Data Center– National Operational Hydrologic Remote Sensing

Center– Storm prediction Center– River Forecast Centers– National Hurricane Center– National Center for Atmospheric Research– Many others…………………..

GIS Applications for Meteorology

• GIS and Google Earth have can offer solutions to spatially complex questions

• Both are excellent for “Situational Awareness”

• Can easily combine weather and climate data with other societal data– Population– Infrastructure

• Event Verification and Mapping

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Google Earth in the NWS

• Can Integrate:– Radar and Satellite– Watches and Warnings– Storm Reports– Event Verification*– Model Guidance– Fire Weather*– Observations– Risk and Impact Analysis (Decision Support Tool)– Flash Flood and Flood Analysis*

Source: Keith Stellman – Shreveport WFO

Data in GIS / Google Format

• From the NWS: http://www.weather.gov/gis/– Watches and Warnings

– Doppler Radar

– Surface Observations

– Satellite

– Forecasts

• NCDC – many archived datasets

• Climate Prediction Center - Outlooks

• US Drought Monitor - Drought

• Hydro Metrological Prediction Center - QPF

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Appearing at Conferences, etc.

• GIS Applications and Virtual Globe Sessions now regularly appear at the AMS Annual Meeting and other venues– AMS 2009 had 2 GIS Application Sessions and 3

Virtual Globe Sessions for a combined 28 presentations

• The National Center for Atmospheric Research’s GIS Initiative– Regular Workshops on the Integration of GIS,

Meteorology, and Society

Collaborating with the GSP WFO

• Extreme variations in GIS capacity among different NWS offices

• Helping GSP create in-house GIS capability

• Have created various “geospatial decision support tools” integrating GIS

• Office is now using GIS daily, and in forecast operations

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GSP Event Mapping

Before GIS

GSP Event Mapping

After GIS

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“GIS in Meteorology” at UNCA

• New “Elective” Course offering first offered in spring 2008; again in spring 2009

• Desire for ATMS majors to gain an introduction and exposure to GIS

• Offer an alterative to other GIS courses and focus on ATMS concepts– The traditional “Introduction to GIS”

• www.atms373.blogspot.com

Course Development – No Resources!

• Very unique, only a few other similar classes in the country:– Northern Illinois University: GEOG 498 - GIS

Applications in Meteorology and Climatology (3)– University of the Incarnate World: METR 3355 -

Geographic Information Systems (GIS) in Meteorology

– George Mason University: GEOG 309 -Introduction to Meteorology and Climate

• Lyndon State College

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Overall Course Objectives

• Introduce Students to GIS• Have students become familiar and

comfortable with the ArcGIS Desktop software platform*

• Learn how to incorporate various weather, climate, hydro, and societal datasets

• Demonstrate how NOAA and the NWS uses GIS

Specific Course Goals

• Basic knowledge and understanding of GIS theory, principles, and applications

• Develop a vocabulary of GIS terminology• Ability to use ArcGIS Desktop Software;

introduce Open Source solutions (Google)• Learn effective cartographic skills• Ability to integrate weather and climate

data into a GIS• Understand NWS GIS Applications

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Lab Exercise Examples

Lab Exercise Examples

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Lab Exercise Examples

Lab Exercise Examples

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A “Real World” Project

• The Northeast Snowfall Impact Scale

• Northeast Snowfall Case Study Volume III

What The Class Doesn’t Cover

• Online GIS – (ArcGIS Server, web mapping functionality, serving of data)

• Customization – (Scripting, Programming)• Data Creation• Advanced 3D Analysis• In-depth model in-put• In-depth Open Source GIS• Advanced analysis

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Lessons Learned

• Never enough time!!!!!!!!• Balance between pure “Intro” and

“Advanced” topics• Balance between “hands-on” and “theory”• Balance between basic GIS and

Meteorology concepts• Most people, including students, don’t

think “spatially” – GIS is very spatial (special!) by nature

Future Directions

• A second class………………..?– First class that is just basic “Intro to GIS”, with a

meteorology focus – a survey– Second class that is more advanced, introduce NWS

standards and applications, cover advanced topics previously mentioned

• Development of more course content– Current discussions with NCAR, George Mason, and

ESRI about possibly creating an official lab manual– Develop more contacts with other faculty teaching

similar classes

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Questions?

J. Greg Dobsongdobson@unca.edu