**The BUF_WxTool**

**Version 1.2**

John Rozbicki - National Weather Service, Buffalo, NY

phone: (716) 565-0013

email: [John.Rozbicki@noaa.gov]{.underline}

**[Changes for Version 1.2 (2/23/05):]{.underline}** Updated for IFPS
16.2. Hail (A) is no longer a separate weather type in GFE, so the
separate handling of hail attributes from other thunderstorm attributes
was removed. This resulted in a simplification of the code, and the
removal of all references to \"hailstring\". Also, fixed a potential bug
which could result in \"DmgW\' not being assigned even if it was
selected by the forecaster.

**[Changes for Version 1.1 (3/21/03):]{.underline}** Changed the PoP
thresholds to match the precision of the

gridded data. For example, the threshold for Chc/Sct Wx values was 25%
before the change, with the change it\'s now 24.5%.

The reason for the change: in Version 1.0, the tool would assign an
incorrect Wx value for PoP values just below the thresholds; for
example, \"SChc\" or \"Iso\" Wx would be assigned for PoPs in the
24.5%-24.9% range. With the change, the tool assigns the correct Wx for
such PoP values - i.e.\"Chc\" or \"Sct\" Wx.

**[Applicable IFPS Builds:]{.underline} IFPS 16.2+**

**[Introduction]{.underline}**

The BUF_WxTool is a significant enhancement to the original
Wx_SmartTool, which was written by Tracy Hansen (FSL). Both tools assign
Wx based on the corresponding PoP grids; however the BUF_WxTool offers
the following additional functionality:

> \(1\) The forecaster is allowed considerable freedom in choosing
> precipitation type (RW, R, SW, S, IP, and ZR are all supported).
>
> \(2\) Up to three precipitation types may be mixed together and a
> different intensity (light \[-\], moderate \[m\], or heavy \[+\]) may
> be assigned to each; so for example it is possible to assign a
> precipitation type of RmSmIP- with this tool.
>
> \(3\) For weather types of RW or SW, the forecaster is allowed the
> option of assigning either probability qualifiers (i.e. ASlight
> Chance@, AChance@, ALikely@, ADefinite@) or areal coverage-based
> qualifiers (AIsolated@, AScattered@, ANumerous@, or AWidespread@) to
> the desired precipitation type. Otherwise, only probability qualifiers
> may be used. The tool is designed so that if a forecaster attempts to
> assign areal coverage qualifiers to precipitation types other than RW
> or SW, an error message appears indicating that this cannot be done
> and that probability qualifiers must be used.
>
> \(4\) The forecaster can choose whether to include thunder (T) with
> any precipitation type; if thunder is included, he or she also has the
> option of specifying whether the thunder is severe in nature (T+).
>
> \(5\) If thunder is included with the precipitation, the forecaster
> also has the additional option of specifying the following
> thunderstorm attributes, if desired:

-   Small Hail (SmA)

-   Heavy Rain (HvyRn)

-   Gusty Winds (GW)

-   Frequent Lightning (FL)

-   Large Hail (LgA)

-   Damaging Winds (DmgW)

> The tool is designed so that the last two attributes (LgA and DmgW)
> can only be assigned when severe thunderstorms (T+) are forecast;
> otherwise they will not be used, even if selected by the forecaster.
> In addition, if severe thunderstorms are forecast and both wind and/or
> hail attributes are selected by the forecaster, the tool will only
> assign the most severe attributes (i.e., instead of assigning both SmA
> and LgA, the tool will assign just LgA; similarly, if both GW and DmgW
> are selected, the tool will only assign DmgW).

It should be noted that the tool does not apply any scientific principle
to derive the Wx type; the Wx type assigned is decided upon by the
forecaster. The forecaster chooses the Wx type through the use of a GUI
interface that appears when the tool is executed.

**[Requirements]{.underline}**

-   The floating PoP grids for the time period in question must exist
    before running the tool.

**[Usage]{.underline}**

After creating all of the necessary floating PoP grids, to run the tool
the forecaster needs only to select the BUF_WxTool from the list of
available smart tools in GFE; this action brings up a GUI from which the
forecaster chooses the Wx type. Once the forecaster has specified the
desired weather type, he/she then assigns the weather type by clicking
either of the ARun@ or ARun/Dismiss@ buttons within the GUI. When this
is done, a single weather type is created based on the forecaster input,
then is assigned where PoP is \>= 15% (rounded) within the active edit
area. Probability or areal qualifiers will be added to the weather type
as follows:

  ------------------- ------------------------ ---------------------------
  **PoP Value         **Probability            **Areal Coverage
  (rounded to the     Qualifier**              Qualifier**
  nearest %)**                                 

  0 - 14              None; \<NoWx\> is        None; \<NoWx\> is assigned
                      assigned                 

  15 - 24             Slight Chance (SChc)     Isolated (Iso)

  25 - 54             Chance (Chc)             Scattered (Sct)

  55 - 74             Likely (Lkly)            Numerous (Num)

  75 - 100            Definite (Def)           Widespread (Wide)
  ------------------- ------------------------ ---------------------------

**[Installation:]{.underline}**

Installation and customization should be done by the IFPS focal point or
other knowledgeable person. It is assumed that the Smart Tool file has
been downloaded from the national Smart Tool repository and moved inside
the AWIPS LAN before performing the following steps.

*[Installation:]{.underline}*

1.  Copy the BUF_WxTool.tool file to the /tmp directory of the machine
    where you will be

installing the tool (normally, this would be lx1).

2.  Switch to the /awips/GFESuite/bin directory, and use the
    ifpServerText utility to install the

tool into GFE via the following command:

ifpServerText -u SITE -s -n BUF_WxTool -f /tmp/BUF_WxTool.tool -c
SmartTool

3\. Start up GFE as user SITE.

4.  From the GFE menu, select "Define Smart Tools". Right-click in the
    Smart Tools listbox and

select BUF_WxTool and click \"Open\"; the Smart Tool will open in a new
IDLE window.

Verify that there are no \"/r\" characters at the end of each line.

[If there are any \"/r\" characters:]{.underline}

> Highlight any \"/r\" character and select Replace from the Edit menu.
> Middle-click paste the \"/r\" into the Find box and click Replace All.
> Then, select File\--\>Save, then File\--\>Exit.

[Otherwise:]{.underline}

Select File--\>Exit.

Once you have finished this step, installation of the tool is complete.