NOAA Air Resources Laboratory

What's new with READY?

Current operational news
READY background information

  • May 5, 2008 - 2008 HYSPLIT Training Documents Made Available - The training materials from the recent HYSPLIT Training Workshop held in Silver Spring, Maryland, are now available on the HYSPLIT webpage under the link to PC HYSPLIT Training Workshops or go to this address:
    http://www.arl.noaa.gov/workshop/index.html

  • October 19, 2007 - PDF Output Option - Added an option in most READY programs to add a link to a PDF file of the graphics.

  • October 18, 2007 - New Meteorological Mapping Tool - A new meteorological mapping program that performs most of the functions of the current Interactive Map program has been made available for testing on the Current and Archived Meteorology pages of READY. This version does not rely on the NCAR Graphics software, but makes use of the freely available PSPLOT fortran routines, which creates PostScript output. The graphics are converted from PostScript to gif for smaller file sizes. At some point in the future we will be removing the Interactive Map program and the Java-Based Interactive Map program as we cannot support NCAR Graphics.

  • September 28, 2006 - READY Meteorological Programs Updated - The meteorogram, profile, stability, windgram and windrose programs have all been converted from NCAR Graphics to the freely available PSPLOT fortran routines. Graphics are converted from Postscript to gif.

  • September 21, 2006 - HYSPLIT Web-Version Update

    Many additional features were recently added to the registered users web version of HYSPLIT trajectories.

    • GFS Forecast Data - an option has been added to the forecast trajectories to enable trajectories that run off the chosen meteorology grid (in time or space) to continue running with the current Global Forecast System (GFS) meteorological data if the date range is available. The current GFS forecast dataset contains 48 hours of analysis and 84 hours of forecast data. CAUTION: the initialization times of the chosen meteorological dataset and the GFS may be different depending on the time of day.
    • 3 Source Locations - Users now can enter up to 3 different trajectory source locations instead of just one. All trajectories will be calculated for all specified levels (1, 2 or 3) for a total of up to 9 trajectories per run.
    • Trajectory Matrix Option - A trajectory matrix option will produce a grid of trajectories bounded by the first 2 entered source locations (trajectory 1 is the lower left grid point and trajectory 2 is the upper right grid point) and evenly spaced with a grid increment given by the distance between the lower left grid point (trajectory 2) and trajectory 3. Only one height is allowed.
    • Trajectory Ensemble Option - A trajectory ensemble option will produce multiple trajectories from the first user-selected starting location. Each member of the trajectory ensemble is calculated by offsetting the meteorological data by a fixed grid factor (one grid meteorological grid point in the horizontal and 0.01 sigma units in the vertical). This results in 27 members for all-possible offsets in X,Y, and Z. Note: the starting height should be greater than 250 m for optimal configuration of the ensemble.
    • Source Location Symbol - An option has been added to allow users to turn on or off the source location symbol on the trajectory map. This is useful for the trajectory matrix display.
    • Rerun the model using user-defined defaults - A much needed option has been implemented to allow users to rerun a trajectory calculation by modifying the user entered defaults of that particular run to produce a new calculation with its own Job ID number.


  • July 12, 2006 - HYSPLIT and Google Earth - Google Earth output is now available to all READY HYSPLIT users (see May 15, 2006 below for details).

  • May 19, 2006 - HYSPLIT Training Documents Made Available - The training materials from the recent HYSPLIT Training Workshop held in Silver Spring, Maryland, are now available on the HYSPLIT webpage under the link to PC HYSPLIT Training Workshops or go to this address:

    http://www.arl.noaa.gov/workshop/index.html

    The updated HYSPLIT model executables for this training workshop are not yet publicly available, but should be made available in late June or July.

  • May 15, 2006 - HYSPLIT and Google Earth - HYSPLIT is now capable of exporting trajectories, air concentrations and deposition into the Google Earth software application. Google Earth, a free program to display layers of information on a three dimensional map of the earth, is available from:

    http://earth.google.com/

    Programs were developed at ARL to convert the trajectory endpoints and contours of concentration and deposition generated by HYSPLIT into Google Earth files. Google Earth provides the user with a method of overlaying a seemingly endless amount of free geo-referenced information onto the HYSPLIT output and providing the user with a tool to move about and within the model results. This capability is now available to registered users of HYSPLIT, both on the PC and the ARL web server. After a period of testing by registered users, the product will be made available to non-registered users of the web version as well.

  • January 25, 2006 - Date format change to profile output - The header for the profile text listing has been reformatted to include a 2 digit month, day and hour and a 4 digit year.

  • January 18, 2006 - NAM 45 km Alaska grid data added to READY - NAM 45 km horizontal resolution, 3 hourly, 36 hour forecast data is now available for use by HYSPLIT and meteorological display programs on the READY website.

  • December 29, 2005 - GDAS 1 Degree data added to READY - GDAS 1 degree horizontal resolution, 3 hourly, global data beginning with December 2004 is now available for use by HYSPLIT on the READY website.

  • September 7, 2005 - RUC Temporal Resolution increased to hourly - The Rapid Update Cycle forecast dataset is now available on READY in hourly forecast intervals out to 12 hours. Previously the RUC was only available at 3 hourly forecast intervals. The RUC forecast is updated every 3 hours at NOAA NCEP and is developed by NOAA FSL. For more information see: RUC Information.

  • March 30, 2005 - NAM 12 km Data Available to all of READY - 12 km NAM (formerly Eta) forecasts have been incorporated into all of READY. The 12 km data is the current native resolution of the NAM model with output available on READY at 3 hourly intervals out to 48 hours.

  • January 21, 2005 - Total Cloud Cover field added to Model Animations - Because of several READY user's need of detailed cloud cover plots for nighttime sky viewing, another Total Cloud Cover animation has been added to the GrADS model animations at:
    http://www.arl.noaa.gov/ready/animations.html

  • December 30, 2004 - Model Animations Using GrADS - A new page of meteorological forecast model animations using the GrADS display program will replace the existing model animation pages for the GFS, Eta, NGM, and RUC models on January 14, 2005. The new page can be accessed now from:

    http://www.arl.noaa.gov/ready/animations.html

  • October 29, 2004 - Multiple Meteogram (Autogram) - To make it easier to retrieve multiple meteograms for the same location but using different forecast meteorology, a new program has been added to READY that will allow the user to choose up to 6 different forecast meteorological datasets and create a webpage with thumbnail versions of all 6 meteograms. The user can then click on a thumbnail image to retrieve the already calculated full size meteogram. This application is very computer intensive, and therefore the overuse of it will be monitored and may need to be further restricted if it proves too popular.

  • August 31, 2004 - Archive/Forecast HYSPLIT Calculations - A new capability has been added to the registered online version of HYSPLIT. Users can run trajectories and concentrations with a combination of analysis and forecast data in the same run. On a few datasets (Eta 40 km, GFS, and AVN) we create a 2 day archive of model analysis and concatenate it to the current forecast. This allows us to start a run 1 or 2 days prior to the current forecast initialization time and continue running through the forecast in the same calculation. You can access this new capability by choosing a forecast dataset when running HYSPLIT under the registered users section of our website.

  • April 16, 2004 - Archive Wind Roses - Wind roses from archived meteorology are now available. See Forecast Wind Roses below for details.

  • March 29, 2004 - Forecast Wind Roses - Wind roses can now be computed using gridded model forecast data for a single location within the meteorological model domain. Wind roses typically show the frequency of wind direction at a single location on a 16-point compass over an extended period of time (months to years). Since the use of the wind rose in this case only includes a few points in time (at each forecast hour), caution must be used when trying to interpret the plots in the typical sense of a wind rose. In addition, rings are plotted that represent the wind speed frequency for seven wind speed classes identified by color. In addition, along the bottom of the wind rose plot, a graph of the wind direction versus model forecast hour is plotted to provide information on when (in time) the winds will be from each sector. The color of the line indicates the wind speed at that forecast hour using the same color bands as in the wind rose.

    The wind rose can be helpful in predicted when conditions might be favorable for poor air quality episodes at a location given that certain wind directions and speeds transport more pollutants to an area than other wind directions and speeds.

  • March 12, 2004 - Surface Dew Point Added to Meteogram - By popular request the 2 meter dew point field has been added to the meteograms. This dew point is calculated from the 2 meter temperature and 2 meter relative humidity (except the RUC, which is the model output) in all datasets that have these fields available. The dew point is plotted as a dashed line below the 2 meter temperature line whenever the 2 meter temperature is plotted.

  • January 15, 2004 - Javascript Image Viewer for Model Soundings- A Javascript image viewer has been added to the model soundings product that allows users to animate the model forecast and archived sounding data on a skew-T log-P diagram, complete with forward/backward looping, rocking motion, speed adjustment and manual advance/reverse options. If the user's web browser does not support Javascript, or Javascripting has been turned off by the user, the gif animation will be displayed instead.

  • January 1, 2004 - EDAS Archive Changes - On January 1, 2004, the EDAS archive data's horizontal resolution was increased from 80km to 40km on ARL's READY webserver. Previously, NOAA ARL archived the EDAS data by removing every other grid point of data in order to conserve disk space. However, since migrating to new servers in December, we are now able to save the data on the original 40km AWIPS 212 grid. We will continue archiving the 80km EDAS data for another few months so that comparisons between the two datasets can be made, if desired by the users of READY and HYSPLIT.

    The new EDAS semi-monthly files are now 658MB compared to 81MB with the 80km version, so keep this in mind if you currently or plan to ftp the data. Also, we will not be sending the EDAS or FNL data to NCDC anymore, but plan to set up a dedicated ftp server in the next few months.

  • December 15, 2003 - IMPORTANT CHANGES to READY - See the following webpage for important changes made to READY and HYSPLIT on Monday, December 15, 2003...

    http://www.arl.noaa.gov/ready/hysplit_announcement.html

  • September 11, 2003 - CBRAMS Termination - UPDATE - The RAMS model has been run successfully for the Chesapeake Bay area (CBRAMS) by the NOAA National Ocean Service Office of Coast Survey in cooperation with NOAA ARL and the National Weather Service for several years now. However, due to limited personnel at NOS and a computer system change, CBRAMS cannot be ported over to their new computers. Thus this will mean the termination of CBRAMS on December 1 after a long and successful run.

  • September 10, 2003 - Changes to READY on October 9 - Automated scripts that access hundreds of READY meteorological products in a short period of time have always been a problem for us. Recently, the problem has accelerated to the point that users are not able to get to the meteorological products they request because the system is too busy processing many products from a single user simultaneously. Effective October 9, a new procedure will be implemented on READY which will hopefully prevent all automated scripts from succeeding. Users will be presented with a graphic showing a randomly generated access code that must entered into the form before a product can be produced, thereby preventing a computer program or script from accessing the product directly. This will be one more step a user will need to do to get a meteorological product, however it should reduce and possibly eliminate the backlog of products and speed up the time it takes to request a product from READY. This change will not effect the HYSPLIT access on the web.

  • May 21, 2003 - Smoke Forecast Demo Project - A smoke forecasting demonstration project in collaboration with NOAA NESDIS and their Hazard Mapping System has been initiated (http://www.arl.noaa.gov/smoke/). Smoke forecasts are produced using the ARL HYSPLIT model. The model is pre-configured to run from selected regions using the daily Eta meteorological forecast. Hourly average output maps of soot air concentration are produced. Fire locations for the dispersion simulation are obtained daily from the NESDIS Hazard Mapping System. A preprocessor reads the fire position data file representing individual pixel hot-spots that correspond to visible smoke and agregates the locations on a 20 km resolution grid. The model is run over 7 regions covering the CONUS. A rotating 31 day archive of analysis simulations and the 24-48 hour forecasts is maintained on the server.

  • April 1, 2003 - Removal of MRF Dataset - Now that we have the GFS dataset available out to 384 hrs, we removed the MRF dataset (which is the same model as the GFS) from the READY website.

  • February 25, 2003 - GFS Model Data Available - Today, the third of three Global Forecast System datasets was added to READY. Eventually these datasets will replace the AVN and MRF datasets on READY. The 3 data sources for the GFS now available on READY are:

    1: GFS - 3 hourly with forecasts from hour 0 to 84 (1 degree grid resolution)
    2: GFSx - 6 hourly with forecasts from hour 0 to 180 (1 degree grid resolution)
    3: GFSlr - 12 hourly with forecasts from hour 192 to 384 (2.5 degree grid resolution)

    Unfortunately 12 hourly, 2.5 degree grid files are not available from NCEP from hours 0 to 180, and creating a lookalike set from the 1 degree grid is very difficult. Therefore, we are not able to have one complete file from hours 0 to 384 for use in READY at this time.

  • January 28, 2003 - AVN Short Range Model Renamed to GFS Model - Today, the AVN Short Range Model was renamed to the GFS model to be consistent with NCEP changes. We will be slowly adding longer range GFS Global model data to READY over the next few weeks. Eventually these datasets will replace the AVN and MRF datasets on READY. There will be 3 data sources for the GFS:

    1: GFS - 3 hourly with forecasts from hour 0 to 84 (1 degree grid resolution)
    2: GFSx - 6 hourly with forecasts from hour 0 to 180 (1 degree grid resolution)
    3: GFSlr - 12 hourly with forecasts from hour 192 to 384 (2.5 degree grid resolution)

    Unfortunately 12 hourly, 2.5 degree grid files are not available from NCEP from hours 0 to 180, and creating a lookalike set from the 1 degree grid is very difficult. Therefore, we are not able to have one complete file from hours 0 to 384 for use in READY at this time.

  • January 13, 2003 - CDC Reanalysis data updated - CDC reanalysis data through December 2002 is now available for use by HYSPLIT on the READY website.

  • December 26, 2002 - State Weather Page Updated - Links to text observations and forecasts have been corrected and updated and access to model forecast products by State and city is now possible. Access to the State Weather Page of READY is available from the current meteorology page or directly at: http://www.arl.noaa.gov/ready/states.html

  • November 25, 2002 - Kilauea Ensemble VOG Forecast - An ensemble forecast system is now available and is comprised of two components, the meteorological prediction and the plume dispersion forecast. In the current configuration, only one meteorological forecast is used to create an ensemble of dispersion forecasts. The meteorological component is comprised of the 8 km resolution output fields from NCEP's NMM, non-hydrostatic Mesoscale Model (Janic et al., 2001). The dispersion calculations are from the HYbrid Single-Particle Lagrangian Integrated Trajectory (HYSPLIT) model. Currently HYSPLIT is run locally on a workstation, while the NMM is run by NCEP. The dispersion ensemble output products are transferred to ARL's web server for analysis and visualization.

  • September 30, 2002 - Forecast Windgrams - A new program based on the popular meteogram program has been developed to display forecast wind flags at all model levels and all model forecast hours. This program should help those in need of wind forecasts at a point over a period of time (such as deciding when to launch manned balloons). The same meteorological datasets available to meteogram are available to windgram.

  • August 15, 2002 - AVN Model Forecasts - The AVN 111 km Northern Hemispheric grid has been replaced by ~95 km resolution AVN northern and southern polar stereographic grids (AVN Short Range). These grids are 3-hourly and are available 4 times per day for a forecast of 84 hours. In addition, HYSPLIT now uses the AVN data on the original latitude/longitude grid from NCEP, and therefore the interpolation errors brought about by fitting the lat/lon grid to a polar stereographic grid, should be reduced.

    Another AVN dataset, although reduced in horizontal and temporal resolution will soon extend the forecast out to 288 hours in order to replace the current MRF forecast dataset, since NOAA NCEP plans to remove the MRF data this fall.

  • August 2, 2002 - HYSPLIT Output Improvements- Two improvements were made to the HYSPLIT on the web application. First, an option was added to allow the output of relative humidity along the hysplit trajectory(ies), which is an addition to the following other variables already available: potential temperature, ambient temperature, rainfall and mixed layer depth. The results are listed in the trajectory endpoints file that is available at the end of each HYSPLIT trajectory run.

    Secondly, information about the HYSPLIT run is now plotted at the bottom of each output map. In addition to information on the model similation produced, the Job identification number is also plotted so that users can return to the simulation on the website using the this number. Having the ID number on each plot can facilitate accessing the plots when many simulations are produced.

  • June 25, 2002 - Apache Web Server Update- The Apache web server software was upgraded to version 1.3.26.

  • April 17, 2002 - Rapid Update Cycle (RUC) Model- The Rapid Update Cycle (RUC) model, developed at NOAA Forecast Systems Laboratory (FSL) and run at NCEP is now available at 20 km horizontal resolution in READY.

  • February 19, 2002 - HYSPLIT interface and graphics updated - On February 19, 2002, the HYSPLIT web interface and output graphics were updated to reflect recent upgrades to the HYSPLIT transport and dispersion model. Improvements include; forward and backward dispersion using archived and forecast meteorological data, modifying the output dispersion graphics without having to rerun the HYSPLIT model, zooming capability, U.S. county borders, GIS shapefiles of concentration/deposition contours, Postscript output graphics, etc.

    Comments and problems found are encouraged.

  • December 10, 2001 - 84 hour Eta Model Forecasts - 84 hour Eta forecasts at the 00 and 12 UTC model run times, have been incorporated into READY. These are available for plotting and for use in the HYSPLIT model. The 06 and 18 UTC runs continue to be 48 hour forecasts.

  • July 23, 2001 - Two new options were added to the READY HYSPLIT web page:

    1) User-entered trajectory - The purpose of this program is to allow you to enter a "trajectory" or flight path into a form and then READY will plot your trajectory or flight path on a map. In addition, by choosing a meteorological dataset that corresponds to the time of your trajectory, you can display a cross-section of some three-dimensional meteorological (forecast or archived) fields along your trajectory or flight path.

    2) Modify a trajectory - The purpose of this program is to allow you to "modify" a trajectory or flight path that has already been created by entering the job ID number that was assigned by READY when a trajectory was computed or when a flight path was entered by a user (see number 1 above). READY will then plot the user-modified trajectory or flight path on a map and you will have the option to plot a cross-section of several three-dimensional meteorological fields along the trajectory or flight path.

    These two new options have been requested numerous times by READY users. Please let us know if you find them useful or if you find any "bugs" in them.

  • June 12, 2001 - Two new products are now available in the Air Quality section of READY... - The new section is titled "Source Attribution Methods" and includes background information and links to the two new products which are:
    1) Source/receptor matrix -
    the calculation is now performed with sources at every 1 degree over the eastern half of the United States using the HYSPLIT dispersion model and the current Eta meteorological forecast.
    2)HYSPLIT dispersion-trajectory model in "backwards" mode -
    In a 3D particle model the dispersion process is represented by a turbulent component added to the calculation and therefore it is computationally attractive because the advection process is fully reversible. The trajectory equation can be correctly integrated in either direction. However, the interpretation of the output is a bit more complex because dispersion is an irreversible process.
    For further details on these two products see the Air Quality section of READY and the following links...
    http://www.arl.noaa.gov/ready/attribute.html
    http://www.arl.noaa.gov/ss/transport/matrix.html

  • April 24, 2001 - HYSPLIT Version 4.5 now available in READY and for download - After several months of testing, Hysplit version 4.5 is now available through READY and a PC executable for download. The new version contains all the recent dynamic allocation enhancements and computational support for global latitude-longitude data grids. Previous versions of the model required input meteorological data to be on a comformal map projectoin.

  • April 19, 2001 - NCEP/NCAR Reanalysis data available for HYSPLIT - A limited subset of the NCEP / NCAR reanalysis data are now available on-line through READY for trajectory or dispersion calculations. More data will become available as disk storage is upgraded. Choose "reanalysis" from the list of archived meteorology files. Files with the .gbl suffix are global in extent. For more detailed information, see the data documentation.

    These data files will only work with the on-line version of HYSPLIT and are not yet available through any other READY page, such as maps, meteograms, and soundings. The data files are not accessible for downloading at this time. The original reanalysis data were obtained from NOAA's Climate Diagnostics Center Maps and other diagnostic analyses can be generated through their web site.

  • March 26, 2001 - AFWA MM5 Data Available - MM5 mesoscale model forecasts from the Air Force Weather Agency (AFWA) are now available in READY (http://www.arl.noaa.gov/ready.html) for use in HYSPLIT and other graphical utilities. Two MM5 datasets are currently available: 45 km covering North America and 15 km covering the United States. The 45 km forecast for North America is run 4 times per day (00, 06, 12, 18 UTC) and extends out to 72 hours. The 15 km forecast for the CONUS is run 2 times per day (06 and 18 UTC) and extends out to 48 hours (the dataset within READY starts with the +6 hour forecast). As this is a new product and we are still working out communication difficulties, expect some delays and missing forecasts.

  • January 24, 2001 - MOS Simple Dispersion Forecasts - A simple dispersion program, originally published in 1981 by Roland R. Draxler as NOAA Technical Memorandum ERL ARL-100, titled, "Forty-eight hour Atmospheric Dispersion Forecasts at Selected Locations in the United States," has been updated to produce quick forecasts of atmospheric dispersion via the READY website by combining the simple techniques of estimating dispersion from Bruce Turner's Workbook of Atmospheric Dispersion Estimates with National Weather Service (NWS) forecasts of wind direction, wind speed, cloud cover, and cloud ceiling. The NWS forecasts come from the NGM and new AVN Model Output Statistics (MOS), which are statistically derived surface conditions produced for over 1000 locations in the Continental U.S., Alaska, Puerto Rica, and Hawaii, twice per day, beginning with the observation times (00 and 12 UTC) and extending up to 60 hours into the future.

    6-hour, straight-line flow, dispersion forecasts at 0.5, 1, 2, 5, 10, 20, 50, and 100 km downwind are produced independently for each 3 hour forecast time given by the MOS forecast. That is, a continuous 6-hour emission is assumed to occur every 3 hours. The user chooses the dispersion forecast time to display on a graph (all the other forecasts are available in the text file) as well as the release height, receptor height, and the maximum daytime and nighttime mixing heights.

  • November 1, 2000 - HYSPLIT Dispersion Model Results - Results from the dispersion model (HYSPLIT) are now displayed in a table of links to the individual graphics to make it easier to pick from the available graphics.

  • October 12, 2000 - QUICK LINKS - In a continuing series of additions to READY, we are pleased to announce a new section of the current meteorology page on READY called Quick Links. Currently two products are available:

    METEOGRAM and SOUNDING

    These Quick Links allow users to produce default meteograms and vertical soundings for a location chosen by the user. In addition the interface makes it easier to look at meteograms and soundings from different forecast models without having to re-enter the station location and other parameters each time. Users that want to look at specific fields or levels can still use the original links for meteogram and sounding on the current meteorology page.

  • September 28, 2000 - Vertical Sounding Changes - Another multi-user request to change the way we display the model sounding data. Instead of plotting model data that is "under ground", the vertical sounding (profile) will now only plot data that is at or above the model terrain height. In cases where the model terrain height is not available, it is estimated from the pressure and temperature data. In cases where the surface temperature, dew point or relative humidity, wind vectors, and pressure or height are available, the sounding program will plot the surface data as part of the sounding. For those of you that use the text results in other programs, you will need to modify your code to handle these changes.

  • September 21, 2000 - MSL Starting Heights in HYSPLIT - Another common request we have been getting is to have the starting height(s) for HYSPLIT trajectories on the web to be in height above mean sea-level (AMSL). Well, now you have it! HYSPLIT will take your starting heights in AMSL and then convert them to above model ground level (AGL) before running. Results are still in meters AGL. This option is not available for concentration runs.

  • September 20, 2000 - Text-only option in meteogram and sounding- By popular request a text-only option has been added to the forecast and archive meteogram and sounding menus.

  • August 3, 2000 - Stability Time-series- A new tool has been added to READY to diagnose the Pasquill stability class, boundary layer depth, and vertical mixing coefficient from gridded meteorological data. The calculations are performed using the mixing scheme found in the HYSPLIT transport and dispersion model. The plots can be obtained from both forecast and archived data.

  • July 24, 2000 - RAMS Forecast for the Houston, TX Region- 48 hour RAMS 15 and 60 km mesoscale meteorological forecasts for the Houston, TX region are now available in READY to support the TEXAS 2000 Air Quality Study.

  • July 18, 2000 - Ozone Forecast for the Houston, TX Region- Forecasts of today's and tommorrow's ozone concentrations (ppb) for the Houston, TX Region are updated in READY once each day off of the 00 UTC Eta model forecast.

  • July 7, 2000 - AVN 111 km Model Forecasts - The AVN 111 km dataset on READY is now 3-hourly and is available 4 times per day for a forecast of 48 hours.

  • June 30, 2000 - Trajectory Cross Sections - After you run a HYSPLIT trajectory(ies) you now have the option to plot a meteorological cross section along the trajectory(ies)! Be aware that these are not true cross sections as you normally thing of cross sections; these are cross sections along a moving trajectory, so that the meteorology is changing both in time and space. For this reason you will sometimes see a very noisy cross-section. Note that if you wait too long to do your cross section of a trajectory that uses forecast meteorology you may not be able to plot the cross section because the meteorology file you used for the trajectory calculation will be overwritten by an updated forecast. Let us know of any applications you find useful for this program.

  • June 30, 2000 - 84 hour AVN Model Forecasts - The AVN 191 km dataset now extends out to 84 hours, 4 times per day. You can access the 84 hour forecasts with any READY display program and HYSPLIT.

  • April 26, 2000 - 60 hour Eta Model Forecasts - Following NCEP's change to a 60 hour Eta forecast at the 00 and 12 UTC model run times, we have incorporated the 60 hour forecasts into READY. These are available for plotting and for use in the HYSPLIT model. The 06 and 18 UTC runs continue to be 48 hour forecasts.

  • April 20, 2000 - Updates to HYSPLIT Trajectory Graphics An update has been made to the READY HYSPLIT trajectory graphics program. Details of the change are as follows:

    1 - The trajectory(ies) are now centered in the plot window and zoomed for ease of use.
    2 - The user now has the option of changing the default map projection to either polar stereographic or mercator.
    3 - The user now has the option to pick a zooming factor from 1 to 99, where 1 is zoomed in and greater numbers zoom out (choosing too large of a zoom will cause no plot to be generated).
    4 - After the model is finished running and the plots are viewed, an option has been added to rescale the plot wihout having to rerun the HYSPLIT model again. The user is presented with the output graphic options (map projection, zoom factor, plot size, and gmeta) and then the plot is redrawn over the original plot. This step can be repeated as many times as necessary to obtain the desired map configuration.

  • March 30, 2000 - Updates to Eta and Interactive Forecast Maps The precipitation in the Eta 40 km dataset on READY was changed from a 12-hour accumulation to a 3-hour accumulation beginning with the 12 UTC run on 30 March 2000.

    Also, a small amount of smoothing was added to the ARLPLOT mapping program of READY.

    We are still debating about adding the 48-60 hour Eta forecasts from the 00 and 12 UTC Eta runs because the 06 and 18 UTC Eta runs only go out to 48 hours. Having two different forecast lengths may cause problems within READY.

  • February 24, 2000 - Chesapeake Bay Region Forecast Boundary-layer Trajectories The Chesapeake Bay region forecast boundary-layer trajectories have been reconfigured for the second intensive of NOAA's Coastal Marine Demostration Project (CMDP). The trajectories are updated automatically twice-daily, around 10:45 am/pm EST, and are computed using the 4 km (fine grid) RAMS forecast output. The trajectories are available from the READY Chesapeake Bay Modeling and Weather web page (link above).

    The 36-h 4 and 16 km RAMS (version 4.2) forecasts will be run twice a day through April 15, then once a day (12 UTC cycle only). The current forecast file and associated graphics are also available from the above web page. RAMS 4.2 uses a more sophisticated cloud radiation scheme which accounts for diverse cloud species (snow,rain,ice crystals, cloud vapor, aggregrates particles). Mellor-Yamada Turbulent Kinetic Energy parameterization (level 2.5) is used for boundary layer mixing. The new LEAF-II soil and vegetation parameterization account for subgrid land use variablity. The parallel code requires 4-6 hours to complete a 36 hour forecast on an 8 processor SGI. Additional fields added to the ARL-packed RAMS files include mixed layer height, 10 m winds, 2 m relative humidity and moisture affected visibility.

  • February 11, 2000 - Archived Ozone Predictions for the Northeastern U.S.- We are adding past HYSPLIT ozone forecasts to our archive so that analyses of the data can be made online using user-selected time series and maps of forecast ozone concentrations.

  • January 21, 2000 - All EDAS Archive data (1997-present) online -

    After acquiring another hard drive we recently added all EDAS archive data (1997-present) and 1 full year of Northern Hemispheric FNL archive data to the READY web server for use by HYSPLIT and the display programs. As we continue to add to the EDAS archive we may need to start to remove the older EDAS data, but we will always maintain at least 1 full year of EDAS and Northern hemispheric FNL data online.

  • January 19, 2000 - See an updated map of HYSPLIT model starting locations -

    A new feature was added to the READY HYSPLIT web page today that allows users to see how many, and in what locations HYSPLIT model simulations were started today and yesterday. A map of starting locations is plotted each hour and color-coded based on the number of simulations at that location. Links to the maps can be found on the main HYSPLIT4 web page of READY....

    http://www.arl.noaa.gov/ready/hysplit4.html

  • January 12, 2000 - HYSPLIT Model Upgrade -

    We just instituted a major upgrade to the HYSPLIT dispersion model on READY. The model input section of both the trajectory and dispersion models has been reorganized for simplicity. Help buttons have also been added for each entry. In addition, the dispersion model option list has been expanded to include the following features:

    1. constant contours - great for plume looping animations

    2. time-averaged or time-integrated concentrations

    3. deposition summed for each averaging period or the entire model run

    Let us know what you think of the changes and any problems you find. We will continually monitor and update the interface based on your comments and any problems you find.

  • January 7, 2000 - MRF Hemisphere Model - The following changes have been made to the MRF forecast file:

    1. The vertical velocity field has been added for the levels 1000 to 100 hPa. This provides another vertical motion option for MRF trajectories.
    2. The 10-12 day period that has been unavailable since the end of September, 1999, has been restored.

  • October 28, 1999 - Java-based Interactive Meteorological Mapping- We have added another method to choice a map domain when plotting meteorological fields with the Interactive Forecast Mapping program (ARLPLOT) in READY. You can now use a rubber-banding technique to highlight the rectangle of interest. This will only work on the newer browsers that support java-based programs (the original method is still available for those that don't have a recent browser). As this is new and experimental, please submit problems to the READY webmaster. Enjoy!

  • October 19, 1999 - HYSPLIT Trajectory Improvements Continue- We updated the trajectory plotting program today to make the interpretation easier. We changed the vertical projection scale to height above ground level in meters and added a time scale below. We also made the trajectory lines less thick to give better detail and changed the symbols so that every 24 hours the symbol will be un-filled (open). These changed were made to improve the information portrayed by the graphic to the user. Let us know your thoughts.

  • September 27, 1999 - NCEP C90 Cray fire- NCEP had a fire in their C90 computer that has impacted several model products and archives here in READY. Until NCEP recovers (see the link at NCEP http://www.ncep.noaa.gov ) we will not have any forecast updates in READY to the RUC 40 km, Eta 40 km, or EDAS archive dataset, and the FNL archive will not have precipitation.

  • August 25, 1999 - HYSPLIT Trajectory Improvements- When a HYSPLIT trajectory is computed a link to a zoomed in trajectory map will be available in addition to one that is un-zoomed. It is known that it isn't always perfect and can chop off part of a trajectory, however the majority of the time it can give a clearer picture of the trajectory path with more detail than the un-zoomed one. Also, we have been experimenting with a Java-based trajectory plotting program that was converted from a hurricane tracking program written by Paul Curtis. Again, it is not without problems, including not being able to cross the International Date Line, and occassionally cutting off a trajectory, which hopefully can be corrected in the near future. But again it may help in your application. You will need a Java capable browser, such as IE 4 or 5 and Netscape 4. The trajectories are color coded based on the height of the trajectory, which is indicated on the status line of your browser or by clicking on the image where it will be displayed next to your mouse click. It only works in cylindrical equidistant projection, so at the poles it will be skewed. Please let me know your comments on the changes. If you are an expert in Java maybe you could give us a hand and enhance the program?!

  • August 18, 1999 - A new READY mail listserver has been established by the National Weather Service. All current members must re-register by clicking on the black box at the bottom of the main READY page, or go directly to:

    http://infolist.nws.noaa.gov/read/login/

    and click on ARL Lists and then ready.

    New subscriptions can also be made at the same location. The READY mailing list was set up to foster collaboration with other READY users and to inform READY users of changes to the READY system.

  • June 8, 1999 - Forecast trajectories for the Southeastern U.S.- Analogous to the Northeast U.S. trajectories, a set of Southeast U.S. trajectories are now available in READY. The forward and backward trajectories are updated twice daily using NCEP Eta model output. The 36-h duration back-trajectories begin in late afternoon and the 18-h forward trajectories begin in early morning.

    The maps are available from the Air Quality page (U.S. trajectories) or directly at traj_seus.html and are generally updated by 0430/1630 UTC.

  • June 1, 1999 - Ozone Forecast for the Northeastern U.S.- A new and improved experimental model forecast of today's and tommorrow's ozone concentrations (ppb) for the Northeastern U.S. is updated in READY once each day off of the 00 UTC Eta model forecast. User feedback is appreciated.

  • May 17, 1999 - The ARL RAMS forecast system is now producing 4 km and 16 km resolution forecasts for the Chesapeake Bay region. The model is run at 00 and 12 UTC on an 8 processor SGI Origin 2000 workstation with 30 hr forecasts completing in less than 3 hours. Timely predictions are accomplished by an efficient code parallelization performed by CSU and MRC. The predictions are converted to Grib to download and static and interactive plots posted to the READY web page twice/day.

    Additional fields have been added to the RAMS files for interactive visualization (Cloud water mixing ratio, moisture affected visiblity, short and long wave radiation) with READY.

    The forecast model configuration includes 2nd order closure turbulent kinetic energy boundary layer parameterization, explicit prediction of cloud microphysical parameters, fully interactive two-way nesting, a soil and vegetation parameterization, and improvements for air-sea exchange. The NCEP EDAS is used for initialization and work is ongoing to ingest the Chesapeake Bay LAPS analyses.

    These predictions represent an early and experimental attempt at non-hydrostatic atmospheric model forecasting of a coastal region. Further evaluation of this product is ongoing with a special emphasis to occur this summer during the NOPP Coastal Marine Demonstration Project. Your comments and requests are welcome.

  • May 17, 1999 - All NGM archive data now online - All of the NGM archive data (January 1991 - April 15, 1997) is now available on READY. The NGM data can be used in arlplot, meteogram, profile, and HYSPLIT.

  • May 11, 1999 - Backward trajectory forecasts for the Northeast U.S. - An array of trajectories over the Northeast U.S. is updated twice daily in READY using the 00 UTC and 12 UTC Eta model forecasts, similar to what was done last summer.

  • May 3, 1999 - READY users respond - Read what READY users have to say about using READY in their line of work.

  • April 19, 1999 - Forecast Trajectories for Florida Wild Fires - 18-hour forecast trajectories from a 1x1 degree grid over Florida are being produced to support air quality issues related to the wild fires. In addition, zoomed Eta forecast maps are being produced. Smoke forecasts may be produced in the near future if source term information can be found.

  • April 12, 1999 - Apache Server Upgrade - The Apache Web Server software was upgraded from version 1.3.4 to 1.3.6. This should be transparent to users.

  • April 6, 1999 - Added model initialization time to meteogram text - The meteorological model initialization time was added to the text output of the meteogram program. This will affect any programs the user creates that relies on the line-by-line placement of the output in the text file.

  • March 9, 1999 - Nested Grid Model (NGM) data added to READY- Due to the numerous requests and because the NWS forecast offices still use it daily for forecast preparation, the NGM model data has been added to the suite of products available in READY.

  • February 5, 1999 - Restrictions imposed on number of simultaneous trajectories- Due to the increasing demands on our server (over one-half million hits in January) a new policy was implemented regarding trajectory calculations on the READY web server. From now on a single user will only be allowed to submit one trajectory run at a time; the system will not allow another submission until the current one finishes. The hope is that this policy will speed up the calculation of trajectories as well as other meteorological products for all users. Thank you for bearing with us as we grow.

  • February 5, 1999 - Weather by State - A new feature in READY is Weather by State. NWS forecasts, climate information, and observations are now available by clicking on a state (no need to know the station letter id's).

  • January 26, 1999 - Chesapeake Bay Modeling and Weather - Chesapeake Bay Modeling and Weather page has been added to the current meteorology page. This page has provides access to the latest RAMS model forecasts for the Bay region as well as wind/wave height and NWS marine forecasts.

  • December 4, 1998 - READY Team awarded the 1998 NOAA Administrator's Award- The READY Team was awarded the 1998 NOAA Administrator's Award "for contributions in constructing an interactive Internet site providing real-time access to NOAA dispersion forecast products in the event of emergencies:" - "the READY system."

  • November 20, 1998 - Mouse-Over pictures on main page- JavaScript Mouse-Over has been added to the main page of READY to show what type of products are available within READY for each of the six themes in READY. This will only work on newer versions of Internet Explorer and Netscape (>3.0).

  • November 16, 1998 - Rapid Update Cycle (RUC) Model Added- The Rapid Update Cycle (RUC) model, developed at NOAA Forecast Systems Laboratory (FSL) and run at NCEP is now available within READY.

    The RUC is a 12 hour forecast that is updated every 3 hours over the United States (basically the same grid as the Eta 40 km). The data are available within READY at 3 hour intervals and can be accessed by all the READY plotting programs (maps, meteograms, soundings) and by HYSPLIT (trajectory and concentration).

    Given that this model is run so often, there are bound to be missed runs due to hardware, software, or communication problems, however the most recent run will always be available within READY. We have extracted as many fields as possible (similar to the Eta 40 km, however not all Eta 40 km fields were available to us in the RUC).

    For more information on the RUC model see:

    http://maps.fsl.noaa.gov

  • November 4, 1998 - Concentration Model Changes - Recently we have noticed a major slowdown in the web server when the concentration model is running. We have seen users running the concentration model out to 96 hours with a very fine grid spacing and a frequent concentration dump time (3 hourly), which makes for a long job and a large concentration file on the server. Because of these problems, we have decided to limit the concentration model to 24 hours duration and a lower limit of grid spacing of 0.05. We are sorry for this change to those that regularly use the concentration model, but to be fair to the major of other READY users we must make this change.

    Error found in Meteogram wind text data - The text output that is produced when a meteogram is run listed the units of Wind as Knots, however the wind data was mistakenly listed in m/s. This error has been corrected so that the values printed are in knots and the wind flags are also in konts. In addition, wind speed is now indicated in the meteogram plot just below each wind flag.

    2 meter RH added to MRF Model - The 2 meter AGL relative humidity field has been added to the MRF model in READY.

  • October 26, 1998 - Several Minor Changes -
    Several minor changes to READY:
    1. Parameter choices have been combined into table form for the primary and overlay parameters on model maps (ARLPLOT)
    2. The 5 parameter choices have been combined for the user defined meteogram into one table.
    3. A new color table has been created for ARLPLOT. The colors have more gradation and range from blue (low or cold) to red (high or warm).
    4. The map background has been changed to gray in ARLPLOT so that it shows up for both light and dark color-filled regions.

  • August 18, 1998 - IP Address Change - ARL moved it's web server to a "web farm" on this date. What this means to READY users is that the IP address of the ARL server changed from 140.90.134.12 to 192.64.69.112. This change should speed up access as we are not competing with other internal network traffic and we are using a 100 mb/s data line instead of a 10 mb/s line. The web address did not change. If you saved our old IP address in your bookmarks or link to us with the IP address you should change it.
    The correct web address is:
    http://www.arl.noaa.gov/ready.html

  • July 28, 1998 - Overlay 2 fields in ARLPLOT - The user now has the option to overlay 2 fields. Complete control of fields, levels, and contour interval is in the hands of the user.

  • July 27, 1998 - New Aviation Forecast Data - The AVN 191 km data set is now available 4 times per day. Also, we have added a new Aviation data set that has better vertical resolution (more output levels) and horizontal resolution (111 km). This dataset is available 2 times per day and has a forecast of 49 hours.

  • July 20, 1998 - Streamlines in ARLPLOT - The option to plot streamlines of wind fields from the numerical models is now available in READY.

  • June 23, 1998 - Forecast Trajectories for Florida Wild Fires - 24 hour forecast trajectories from a 1x1 degree grid over Northern Florida and being produced to support air quality issues related to the wild fires. In addition, zoomed Eta forecast maps are being produced. Smoke forecasts may be available soon if source term information can be found.

  • June 16, 1998 - Observational Upperair Soundings - Similar to the Forecast Profiles already in READY, the user can now plot skew-T Log-P diagrams and theta diagrams of the current observed upperair data for stations around the world.

  • June 15, 1998 - 3 Hourly Eta Forecast Data - The temporal resolution of the Eta 40 km meteorological dataset has been increased from 6 hourly to 3 hourly.

  • June 10, 1998 - HYSPLIT - Now you can put in a 3- or 4-letter WMO station ID for the starting location of the HYSPLIT model. For example, to start a trajectory from Washington National Airport, put in DCA.

  • June 10, 1998 - Trajectory Forecasts for the Northeast U.S. - An array of trajectories over the Northeast U.S. is updated twice daily in READY using the 00 UTC and 12 UTC Eta model forecasts.

  • June 8, 1998 - MRF Southern Hemisphere Model Added - The MRF 191 km forecast for the Southern Hemisphere was added to READY display and transport programs. This dataset is available once per day at 0000 UTC with a 288 hour forecast.

  • May 11, 1998 - Mexican and Central American Forest Fire Smoke Forecasts - An experimental model forecast of particulate concentrations for the Mexican and Central American forest fires is updated in READY twice each day. At this time, all forecasts are experimental.

  • April 27, 1998 - Ozone Forecast for the Eastern U.S.- An experimental model forecast of today's and tommorrow's ozone concentrations (ppb) for the Eastern U.S. is updated in READY once each day off of the 00 UTC Eta model forecast. At this time, all forecasts are experimental, however user feedback is appreciated.

  • April 1, 1998 - Amazon Forest Fire Smoke Forecasts - An experimental model forecast of particulate concentrations for the Amazon forest fires is updated in READY twice each day. At this time, all forecasts are experimental.

  • February 6, 1998 - EDAS Archive - We recently found a small error in the EDAS Archive datasets that are available on our web server. It seems that the SYNC X value was off by one (39.5 instead of the correct 38.5). What this does is cause the plotting of data points to be off by one grid point in the X direction. For map plotting it shouldn't be noticeable, however under certain conditions it can make a difference in the trajectory and dispersion calculations. The EDAS datasets have been corrected as of today (2/6/98) on the web/ftp server, so any runs from now on via the www will be correct. If you used the EDAS in your research for 1997, please take note and possibly rerun or retrieve the correct files from the server.

  • January 20, 1998 - RSM 50 km Model - The RSM 50 km forecast model was added to READY display and transport programs. This dataset is available once per day at 0000 UTC and covers the North Atlantic (Eastern North America to Western Europe) with a 48 hour forecast.

  • January 13, 1998 - Archive Meteogram - Similar to the meteogram mentioned below, a meteogram that uses ARL archive datasets is now available. The user can select any available field to plot for any specific period during the forecast.

  • January 12, 1998 - Meteogram - A completely revised meteogram program was installed that will allow the user to select any available field to plot for any specific period during the forecast. Also, the MRF 288 hour forecast dataset is now available for meteogram plotting. Look for an archive data version of Meteogram soon.

  • January 12, 1998 - Profile - Added to profile is the ability to plot an animated GIF image of several forecast and archive vertical profiles. This can be useful to see the changes to the surface inversion layer that will influence the dispersion of pollutants. The time versus height text data that was available under meteogram is now only available when the user runs an animated GIF profile.

  • December 29, 1997 - MAJOR READY UPGRADE - A major facelift of READY took place on Monday, December 29. This upgrade should not affect the programs you used previously on READY, but it did remove the long options bar to the left of every page. Now each page has a button bar across the top of each page that shows the user where he/she currently is within READY by using a red colored button. READY is now broken down into the following themes:
    • READY Home
    • Volcano (VAFTAD)
    • Transport and Dispersion (HYSPLIT)
    • Emergency Response
    • Current Meteorology
    • Archived Meteorology

    Now that the upgrade is complete, please fill out the questions/comments form by clicking on the Contact Us button on the READY Home page to let us know what you think of the upgrade and any problems you may encounter. Enjoy the Holidays!

  • December 3, 1997 - READY Listserver - A READY listserver has been created so that READY users can keep up with changes to READY and to promote feedback between users. Anyone having questions or comments can submit them. Anyone having an answer to another user's question can try to answer it. To subscribe send the following command in the main body of the message to:
    Majordomo@gus.arlhq.noaa.gov
    subscribe ready-list
    To send mail to the ready-list group, address your mail to:
    ready-list@gus.arlhq.noaa.gov

  • November 14, 1997 - ARLPLOT - Now you can put in a 3- or 4-letter WMO station ID for the center of the ARLPLOT map. For example, to center a map over Washington National Airport, put in DCA.

  • November 14, 1997 - Vertical Profiles of archived meteorology data - PROFILE can now plot vertical soundings of archived meteorological data. Meteograms are coming soon as well. Stay tuned!

  • November 14, 1997 - Meteogram - Now you can put in a 3- or 4-letter WMO station ID for the location of the meteogram. For example, to do a meteogram for Washington National Airport, put in DCA.

  • November 13, 1997 - Profile - Now you can put in a 3- or 4-letter WMO station ID for the location of the profile. For example, to do a profile for Washington National Airport, put in DCA.

  • November 13, 1997 - Meteogram - Now you can put in a 3- or 4-letter WMO station ID for the location of the meteogram. For example, to do a meteogram for Washington National Airport, put in DCA.

  • November 12, 1997 - AVN and MRF Forecast model animations for Europe - Similar to the North America model animations, animations for Europe between day 3 and day 7 are now available.

  • November 5, 1997 - Maps of archived meteorology data - ARLPLOT can now plot maps of archived meteorological data. Meteograms and soundings are coming soon as well. Stay tuned! Sorry for all the changes to the interface lately, but adding products can cause confusion if the menus are not changed as well

  • October 30, 1997 - MRF Model Forecast Animations - MRF forecasts for the U.S. between +72 and +240 hours are now available as animated GIFs for several fields.

  • October 20, 1997 - Ensemble Trajectories - The ensemble version of the Hysplit4 trajectory model can be used to visualize all the potential flow combinations from three different starting heights. Every 12 hours new trajectories will be started at each of the three starting heights from the end of each previous trajectory.

  • September 22, 1997 - READY in Europe! - Ivan Ristic of Yugoslavia created some excellent interfaces to some of the READY forecast programs for Europe and Yugoslavia.

  • September 9, 1997 - HYSPLIT CONCENTRATIONS - A GIF animation of the surface exposures and total deposition plots is now automatically created when a user runs the concentration run of HYSPLIT. Most recent browers support animated GIFs.

  • August 13, 1997 - ARLPLOT - A user specified contour interval has been added to the ARLPLOT form. A value of zero (0) will default to the system specified value.

  • August 11, 1997 - Due to popular request we are in the process of making the meteorological units be SI units. Precipitation will be changed from inches to millimeters, pressure from MB to hPA, and temperatures from F to C.

  • August 5, 1997 - To make the READY menu bar shorter, we have reduced the Dispersion section options. To access any HYSPLIT feature (trajectories/concentrations/results) click on HYSPLIT Model. Likewise click on VAFTAD Model for VAFTAD options.

  • August 5, 1997 - VAFTAD - A new VAFTAD (Volcanic Ash Forecast Transport And Dispersion) model page has been created that allows users to run the Volcanic Ash Transport And Dispersion (VAFTAD) model interactively for any volcano of interest in the world by choosing a volcano from a list, or entering a volcano latitude and longitude, or clicking on a location on a map. VAFTAD run results can be viewed directly on screen, within about 1 minute, and also accessed at a later time.

  • August 1, 1997 - METEOGRAM - METEOGRAM has been updated so that a select number of meteorological fields are available for plotting in addition to the full METEOGRAM that has been available.

  • July 31, 1997 - ARLPLOT - ARLPLOT has been updated so that meteorological fields are spelled out and the input is through a drop down box.

  • July 18, 1997 - HURRICANES - Text and forecast track maps of current tropical systems and hurricanes can now be accessed from the READY sidebar. These forecasts are from the NWS Tropical Prediction Center.

  • July 18, 1997 - RAMS-HYSPLIT users can now access the RAMS 15 km, 1 hourly archive files over Washington, D.C. area to run trajectories or concentrations. These files are available for the past 6 months and can also be plotted through READY.
    Run Hysplit with RAMS Archived fields .

  • July 10, 1997 - We are asking that users of READY, as well as general users of the ARL web site, please fill out the feedback survey. Results of this survey will be used in future decisions regarding this web site and its contents.
    Feedback.

  • June 30, 1997 - HYSPLIT users can now access the current 15 day archive files from the EDAS and MRF models to run trajectories or concentrations without having to wait until the files are made accessable (every 2 weeks). To access the data choose archive trajectory or archive dispersion from the menu. When asked for the archive file from the list, choose current15days to access the latest data. Be warned that trying to start a run beyond today's date will cause errors in running HYSPLIT, since there is only missing data for days after today in the file. Go to the HYSPLIT archive trajectory page.

  • June 26, 1997 - The Weather Channel radar maps for individual cities as well as a link to other Weather Channel products has been added to the main READY menu bar. Go to the Weather Channel page.