This section describes how to make layout model plots and contour displays using surface and upper air data. It also explains how to create and edit layout models.

Image 1: Layout Model Plot in the Main Display Window

The steps include:

• Selecting Surface Observations from a Remote Server
• Creating the Plot Display
• Creating the Contour Display
• Accessing Additional Tutorials

In the Data Explorer window, select the Data Sources tab. On the left side of this tab, select Point Observations->Plot/Contour from the list of available choosers. For more information about the Point Observations Plot/Contour chooser, see Choosing Point Data.

Image 2: Data Sources Tab of the Data Explorer

In the Server: and Dataset: entry boxes, use the pulldown lists to select a local or remote server and a dataset with METAR data, such as adde.ssec.wisc.edu and RTPTSRC. You can also type a different server name into the entry box. Click to find data on the remote server. In the Point Type: selection box choose "Real-Time SFC Hourly", or the equivalent depending on your data source. You can choose either the latest N times using the Relative tab or select specific times using the Absolute tab. Click when you have made your selection. Only data from the current date will be retrieved from the server.

The surface observation data will be shown in the Field Selector tab of the Data Explorer.

Image 3: Field Selector Tab of the Data Explorer

Select "Point Data" in the Fields panel and "Point Data Plot" under Point Data in the Displays panel. Make the display by clicking on the Create Display button at the bottom of the Field Selector tab.

To declutter the display, use the Point Data Plot Controls in the Layer Controls tab.

Upper air plots can be created the same way. In the Data Sources tab of the Data Explorer, select a Point Type: of "Real-Time Upper Air (Mandatory)," change the Interval to "12 hourly," and add the source. In the Field Selector, select a level of 500mb in the Level panel and click to plot your data in the Main Display window.

The Gridded Fields tree allows you to use the Barnes analysis to create gridded fields of specific point observation parameters.

Image 4: Field Selector Tab of the Data Explorer

Select the SYNOPTIC (SFCHOURLY) dataset from the Data Sources panel of the Field Selector. In the Fields panel, open the Gridded Fields tree by clicking on the tab icon () and select the temperature (T) parameter. In the Displays panel, select Contour Plan View, and create the display by clicking the button at the bottom of the Field Selector tab. You can create or edit your own layout models by using the Layout Model Editor. To access the editor, click on the double down arrow () and select Edit under the Layout Model: section in the Layer Controls tab or select Tools->Layout Model Editor from the Main Display window.

Upper air gridded fields can be created the same way. In the Field Selector, select the UPPERMAND dataset, open the Gridded Fields tab, select a parameter and level, and create the display.

For more help with displaying surface and upper air point data, please see the Point Observations tutorial on the McIDAS-V Documentation webpage.