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Southern California Weather and Hazards Data Viewer Weather Forecasts and GIS Hazards Data for Southern California

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The Southern California Weather and Hazards Data Viewer gives users access to weather forecasts and GIS hazards planning data in an Internet mapping tool for the purpose of monitoring coastal storms and their associated hazards.

Tool Features

• Overlay and animate National Digital Forecast Database (NDFD) weather forecasts* with GIS hazards planning data
• Query hazards planning data
• Print custom maps
• Access NDFD forecasts via desktop GIS**

For Best Viewing

• Set your screen resolution to at least 1024x768
• Turn off your pop-up blocker
• Enable Javascript in your browser (see Activating Javascript below)

Access the Southern California Weather and Hazards Data Viewer.

* About the Data

The tool has been developed as a geographic information system (GIS) Internet map server application—to ensure data and analyses sharing capabilities with other decision makers. The forecast weather information is provided by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) National Weather Service National Digital Forecast Database (NDFD) and is updated four times daily, 0015, 0615, 1215, and 1815 UTC. The NDFD provides forecast information from NOAA weather forecast offices for any location through a series of forecast grids detailing sensible weather elements (e.g., wind speed, temperature, etc.). A unique component of this tool is the sharing of NDFD data layers through an existing external Internet map service, which is provided by NOAA’s nowCOAST (nowcoast.noaa.gov). NowCOAST is a GIS web mapping portal to real-time coastal information developed by the NOAA National Ocean Service's Coast Survey Development Lab. The hazards planning data and base data were provided by the California Office of Emergency Services (OES) Southern Region and Southern California counties.

** Accessing NDFD Data

The NDFD data is being provided for this tool via an Environmental Systems Research Institute (ESRI) ArcIMS Image Service from nowcoast.noaa.gov. It can be brought into a desktop GIS by adding an ArcIMS Image Service in ESRI's ArcGIS and pointing it to nowcoast.noaa.gov. The service name at this address is "ndfd."

Background Information

The Southern California Weather and Hazards Data Viewer is an on-line mapping tool for the hazards community to monitor coastal storms and their associated hazards. The tool brings weather forecast information and hazards planning data into the same location—helping managers monitor coastal storms and visualize potential impacts. Having this information in one location helps users better and more efficiently understand the impacts of each coastal storm. The tool was developed through a partnership between the California Office of Emergency Services Southern Region, local offices of emergency services and planning in Southern California, and NOAA under the NOAA Coastal Storms Program (www.csc.noaa.gov/csp).

The following NOAA offices participated in this project: the Coastal Services Center; the Los Angeles/Oxnard Weather Forecast Office; the San Diego Weather Forecast Office; and the Coast Survey Development Lab, which enhanced nowCOAST to provide NDFD forecast data for the tool. Enhancement of nowCOAST was aided by funding from the Coastal Storms Program.

For up-to-date information about hazards watches and warnings and the latest forecast information, visit the NOAA National Weather Service Weather Forecast Office Web pages for your area:

• Los Angeles/Oxnard Weather Forcast Office
• San Diego Weather Forcast Office

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Activating Javascript

The Southern California Weather and Hazards Data Viewer uses Javascript to perform tasks such as loading maps, operating tools, and navigating to other sections. Most browsers have Javascript enabled, however if you encounter difficulties using the tool, please activate Javascript by following the instructions below depending upon your browser type.

Internet Explorer

To activate Javascript, go to the tool bar in your browser, select Tools > Internet Options. Select the Security Tab and then click on the Internet icon. Next click on the Custom Level button which will display a dialog box with options. Scroll down the list until you find the option that reads Active Scripting, under the Scripting section. Select the Enable option under Active Scripting. Lastly, click OK, yes, OK and then in your browser click on the Refresh button. This will refresh the page and should activate Javascript. You should be able to visit the Interactive Mapping Section after completing these tasks.

Firefox

To activate Javascript, go to the Tools menu in your browser, select Options... . From the Options window, select the Content Section. Next check the Enable Javascript box and click OK. Finally in your browser click the Reload button. This will reload the page and Javascript should be activated.