Although the model can be configured and run manually from the command line, it is usually much quicker to use the GUI. A summary of the main features in each of the primary GUI menus is reviewed below.
Meteorology - Forecast Data FTP
ARL Server - Links to only the most recent forecast data for a variety of different meteorological models available on the ARL FTP server. The data have already processed to a HYSPLIT compatible format.
ARL ASEAN - A special Asian region extract of the global model already converted into HYSPLIT compatible format. This is a small file designed for download over low capacity telecommunications links.
NCEP GFS - Accesses the global GFS model forecast fields on the NCEP FTP server in their native GRIB format. Files are decoded and interpolated to the grid specified on the users PC. A running archive can be maintained by only processing the 00 and +03 forecasts every 6 hours.
NCEP NAM - Processes forecast GRIB fields from the NCEP NAM model on the AWIPS 212 grid (40 km) or the AWIPS 218 grid (12 km) into ARL format. The GRIB files are downloaded to the users computer and each time period is processed to construct one file. The data on the 12 km grid can be selected for only one tile per pass.
Meteorology - Analysis Data FTP
ARL Current - Links to only the most recent data archives for a variety of different meteorological models available on the ARL FTP server. The data have already processed to a HYSPLIT compatible format. Current data is defined as a combination of analysis and short forecasts (e.g. 0h and +3h appended with each new 6h cycle) that are operationally maintained as a rolling archive valid for 48 hours prior to the most recent forecast cycle.
ARL Archive - Access to a running archive of the last 48 hours of pseudo-analysis for a variety of different meteorological models with data already processed in a HYSPLIT compatible format. Provides access to the long-term data archives at ARL for the GFS/GDAS (formerly FNL) and the NAM/NDAS (formerly EDAS) archives. Unless otherwise noted, most of the archives go back to about 1995. This period may be shortened as more data are posted on-line due to storage limitations.
NOAA Reanalysis - The NCAR/NCEP reanalysis data archived has been reformatted for HYSPLIT and placed on the ARL ftp server. These data are available from 1948 through 2003. This directory is only updated once-a-year.
NCEP GDAS - Accesses the global GFS model analysis (GDAS) fields on the NCEP FTP server in their native GRIB format. Files are decoded and interpolated to the grid specified on the users PC. A running archive, similar to that maintained on the ARL server, can be created locally by processing the 00 and +03 forecasts every 6 hours.
NOMADS GDAS - Accesses the global GFS model analysis (GDAS) fields on the NCEP NOMADS FTP server in their native GRIB format. Files are decoded and interpolated to the grid specified on the users PC. Functionality is similar to the regular NCEP server access application except the data archive is of longer duration.
Meteorology - Convert Data on Local Machine
NAM forecast - Processes forecast GRIB fields from the NCEP NAM model on the AWIPS 212 or 218 grids into ARL format. The GRIB files must already been downloaded to the users computer. FTP to the server is not supported through this menu tab.
NDAS Archive - Archived GRIB fields from the NCEPs NDAS model on the AWIPS 212 or 218 grids may be processed locally into ARL format. These files must already be present on the local computer. FTP is not supported through this menu tab. The script is designed only to work with archive data to create a multi-day file as long as one month, where the last four digits of the file name represent the day and hour of the analysis. Downloaded files would have to be renamed to work with this script.
GFS forecast - Forecast GRIB fields from NCEPs global GFS model may be processed locally on the PC into ARL format. These files must already be present. These are the same files downloaded from the FTP menu tab, but the GRIB decoder in this menu provides more conversion options. This procedure is designed only to work with forecast data. The last two digits of the file name represent the forecast hour.
GDAS Archive - Archived GRIB fields from the NCEP GDAS model may be processed locally into ARL format. These files must already be present. FTP is not supported. The procedure is designed only to work with archive data, where the last four digits of the file name represent the day and hour of the analysis. Previously downloaded files will have to be renamed to work with this script.
ECMWF Forecast - Archive GRIB fields from the global model of ECMWF may be processed locally into ARL format. These files must already be present. FTP is not supported. The procedure is designed only to work with archive data from their current operational model, where the last four digits of the file name represent the day
ECMWF Archive - Archive GRIB fields from the ERA-40 reanalysis may be processed locally into ARL format. These files must already be present. FTP is not supported. The procedure is designed only to work with the ERA-40 data files. Three different file types must be downloaded for this converson: 3-d fields, 2-d surface fields, and one invariant field.
MM5V3 format - Output files from MM5V3 can be converted to ARL format. The script automatically processes all domains (MMOUT_DOMAIN{X}) found in the selected directory.
User Entered Data - This menu tab is intended to convert user entered meteorological data to the ARL packed HYSPLIT compatible format. The conversion program will create a data file with one or more time periods containing a uniform field in space and height but varying in time. The grid is centered over the location specified in the main menu and covers a 50 by 50 km domain.
Meteorology Display
Contour Map - A simple postscript contouring program that can be used to view the data fields in any ARL packed meteorological data set. The output is always written to a file called contour.ps. Multiple time periods may be processed.
Text Profile - This program is used to extract the meteorological data profile interpolated to a user selected latitude-longitude position. The raw data values at the surface and each level are output on the left while temperature converted to potential temperature and winds rotated from grid orientation to true are shown on the right. Output is shown on the screen and is also written to a file called profile.txt.
Grid Domain - Program to generate a map showing the domain of the meteorological data grid with marks at each selected data grid point. Output is written to the file showgrid.ps.
Utility Programs
Convert Postscript - Converts any Postscript file to another format using ImageMagick. Enter the name of the Postscsript file and the desired name of the output file, with the file suffix indicating the desired conversion.
GIS to Shapefile - When the GIS output option is selected in selected display programs an ascii text file (in generate format) is created that contains the latitude-longitude values of each contour. This GIS text file can be converted to an ERSI Arc View shapefile. This menu tab is available from three different points. From the meteorology tab the conversion is "line", from the trajectory tab the conversion is "points", and from the concentration tab the conversion is "polygon".
Trajectory
Quick Start - menu tab can be used to run any simulation in one-step. The last configuration will be used for the simulation. The menu brings up a global map with the current source location shown as a blue dot which can be moved to a new location. The Run Example menu tab resets the control and namelist files and reruns the example case. This can be used as a starting point for configurations that have been corrupted.
Trajectory Setup - This menu is used to write the CONTROL file that defines all the model simulation parameters. Note that once a simulation has been defined it can be "Saved As" and later "Retrieved." Note that the setup must be "Saved" before proceeding to the "Run Model" step.
Run Standard Model - The selection opens the window for standard output and starts the execution of "hymodelt.exe". Incremental progress is reported on WinNT and later systems, however on Win95/98 the display remains frozen until the calculation has completed (a beep will sound).
Trajectory Display - Display options are available to label the time increment along the trajectory and the amount of white space surrounding the trajectory on the map. The HIRES option limits the domain to just fit the trajectory. Output is written to the file trajplot.ps. The plot title can be defined in a file called labels.cfg which should be placed in the \working directory.
Special Simulations - The Ensemble option invokes a special executable that will run multiple trajectories from the same location, with each trajectory using meteorological data slightly offset from the origin point. The Matrix option simultaneously runs a regular grid of trajectory starting locations. Also available are multiple trajectory options in both time and space as well as a menu to run a series of automated daily trajectories for as long as one month per execution.
Concentration
Quick Start - menu tab can be used to run any simulation in one-step or rerun the example simulation. It's funtionality is similar to the trajectory quick start menu.
Concentration Setup - The menu is almost identical to the Trajectory Setup menu except for the added tab for "Pollutant, Deposition, and Grids", which is used to customize the concentration computation. Unlike trajectories, which are terminated at the top of the model domain, pollutant particles reflect at the model top.
Run Standard Model - Similar in function to trajectory, executes "hymodelc.exe".
Concentration Display - Output is written to concplot.ps. Options on the menu permit concentration contours to be dynamically scaled to the maximum for each map (default) or fixed for all maps based upon the highest value on any one map. Other display programs are available for the uncontoured gridded data or the particle distribution. Note that the units label as well as the plot title can be defined in a file called labels.cfg which should be placed in the \working directory. Special display programs are available for Matrix and Ensemble simulation outputs.
Utility Programs
Convert to ASCII - Writes an ASCII file for each time period of concentration output with one record for every grid point that has a non-zero concentration value. Each record is identified by the ending date and time of the sample and the latitude and longitude of each grid point. The output file name is constructed from the name of the [input file]_[julian day]_[output hour]. Some other output options are available.
Grid to Station - This program is used to extract the time- series of concentration values for a specific location. That location may be specified by a single latitude-longitude through the GUI or multiple stations may be defined by entering the name of a file that contains an integer station number, latitude, and longitude on each record. The output is written to con2stn.txt which can be read by the time series plotting program to produce the file timeplot.ps. Note that the time series plot is always in integer units and therefore may require the specification of a units multiplication factor.
Advanced Topics
Contains several menus for custom model configurations that can be used to change the nature of the simulation and the way the model interprets various input parameters. These menus would be used to configure matrix, ensemble, simple pollutant transformations, and even special model initialization options.