{{refimprove, date=January 2009 An automated weather map display shows updated

weather map A weather map, also known as synoptic weather chart, displays various meteorological features across a particular area at a particular point in time and has various symbols which all have specific meanings. Such maps have been in use since the m ...

s or other images for public viewing.

Description

The weather images may be accessed interactively by the viewer, or a series of maps may be displayed continuously as a loop. Once the maps or

webcam A webcam is a video camera which is designed to record or stream to a computer or computer network. They are primarily used in videotelephony, livestreaming and social media, and security. Webcams can be built-in computer hardware or peripheral ...

images are downloaded from public sites, they are shown using the full screen of the computer display. At a predetermined interval, the display program downloads new images for display. With older software or hardware, the display may be interrupted during updates. The system is usually used in schools or libraries and other public areas, and is ideal for science-oriented

display case A display case (also called showcase, display cabinet, shadow box, or vitrine) is a cabinet with one or often more transparent tempered glass (or plastic, normally acrylic for strength) surfaces, used to display objects for viewing. A display ...

s and travel center booths. It is a common fixture in many

rest area A rest area is a public facility located next to a large thoroughfare such as a motorway, expressway, or highway, at which drivers and passengers can rest, eat, or refuel without exiting onto secondary roads. Other names include motorway serv ...

s along interstate highways. In an educational setting, the maps allow students to see the relationship between global weather patterns and the local weather that they experience. The system can also be used to display emergency weather warnings.

Example system

The hardware requirements are relatively modest, allowing older or even obsolescent computers to be used. The primary requirements are reliable hardware, a network connection, and a secure location visible to the public. For example, the weather map display system at th
Department of Geography/Geology at the University of Nebraska at Omaha
has been in continuous operation since 1999. Consisting of six

Apple Macintosh The Mac (known as Macintosh until 1999) is a family of personal computers designed and marketed by Apple Inc., Apple Inc. Macs are known for their ease of use and minimalist designs, and are popular among students, creative professionals, and ...

computers, some dating to 1992 and with as little as 32 MB of memory, the system uses Cron and

Applescript AppleScript is a scripting language created by Apple Inc. that facilitates automated control over scriptable Mac applications. First introduced in System 7, it is currently included in all versions of macOS as part of a package of system aut ...

to perform certain operations every hour. Files that are downloaded include GIF or JPEG images that display current weather conditions, including

NEXRAD NEXRAD or Nexrad (Next-Generation Radar) is a network of 160 high-resolution S-band Doppler weather radars operated by the National Weather Service (NWS), an agency of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) within the United S ...

radar, lightning strikes, weather warnings and watches. Once the files are downloaded to a folder,

JPEGView JPEGView was a popular image viewer for Mac OS in the 1990s by Aaron Giles. Initially released in 1991, it was one of the first JPEG image viewers for Mac OS. The program was also the first postcardware. Giles said he had "received somewhere betw ...

displays the files in a continuous loop. After an hour,

stops, the weather maps are deleted a new set of maps are downloaded.

starts again and the new maps are displayed. The specific computers used in the weather map display system are two

Macintosh IIvx The Macintosh IIvx is a personal computer designed, manufactured and sold by Apple Computer from October 1992 to October 1993. It is the last of the Macintosh II family of Macintosh computers. The IIvx was introduced at the same time as the Ma ...

computers built in 1992, a

Macintosh LC III The Macintosh LC III is a personal computer A personal computer (PC) is a multi-purpose microcomputer whose size, capabilities, and price make it feasible for individual use. Personal computers are intended to be operated directly by an e ...

from 1993, a Macintosh Centris 610 from 1994 and two

Power Macintosh 8500 The Power Macintosh 8500 (sold as the Power Macintosh 8515 in Europe and Japan) is a personal computer designed, manufactured and sold by Apple Computer from August 1995 to February 1997. Billed as a high-end graphics computer, the Power Macint ...

computers built in 1995 that display animated weather maps. Software include
Okey Dokey Pro
Cron,

, and

. QuickTime Pro is used for the animated weather map display.

References

* Peterson, Michael P. (2000
The Automated Display of Maps and Images from the Web

External links

Weather Visualizer

Weather prediction Cartography Visualization (graphics)