Multi-Source Meteorological System for Data, Maps, Analyses, and Graphics

This SBIR project will bring about a major advance and improvement to existing meteorological data systems by utilizing new technological opportunities to develop a meteorological workstation merging data and graphics products from multiple independent systems to yield a single display system that permits efficient assimilation of the information by a user. This system would greatly enhance the ability of weather forecasters to assimilate information for the purpose of weather analysis, synthesis and prediction. This project will be accomplished by a six-task process including determination of: (1) available information and formats, (2) a unified coordinate geographical database facilitating the assimilation of products with different orientations; (3) desired technical capabilities, such as overlays, annotation, analysis, data plots, color graphics, 3-D rendering and rotation, cross sections, etc.; (4) desired requirements for system tools, interfaces, performance, etc.; (5) the optimal software language and requirements; and (6) the optimal hardware platform. The resulting specifications will lead to successful Phase II development of the system and to Phase III commercialization.