ARL-TR-8060 ● JULY 2017

US Army Research Laboratory

Climatological Data Option in My Weather 

Impacts Decision Aid (MyWIDA) Overview

by Subing Zeng

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ARL-TR-8060 ● JULY 2017

US Army Research Laboratory

Climatological Data Option in My Weather 

Impacts Decision Aid (MyWIDA) Overview

by Subing Zeng

Computational and Information Sciences Directorate, ARL

Approved for public release; distribution is unlimited.
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Fiscal years 2014–15

4. TITLE AND SUBTITLE

Climatological Data Option in My Weather Impacts Decision Aid (MyWIDA)

Overview

5a. CONTRACT NUMBER

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6. AUTHOR(S)

Subing Zeng

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US Army Research Laboratory

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ARL-TR-8060

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13. SUPPLEMENTARY NOTES

14. ABSTRACT

My Weather Impacts Decision Aid (MyWIDA), a rules-based tactical decision aid, provides weather effects on weapon 

systems by coupling weather forecast data with system-specific environmental rules. It consists of 2 databases, a data service 

server, a collection of web service, and web applications that show weather impacts on selected assets on an overlay map. The 

Climatological Data Option in MyWIDA (ClimoMyWIDA) is intended to augment MyWIDA. It provides weather effects on 

various systems by using climatological data. However, it is designed as a self-contained application and can be integrated 

into other systems as well. This report describes the ClimoMyWIDA application in general, each component and its 

functionality, as well as the data sources.

15. SUBJECT TERMS

Decision, aids, climatological data, functionality, implementation

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Subing Zeng

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Contents

Contents iii

List of Figures v

1. Introduction 1

2. Application Description 1

2.1 Architectural Design 1

2.2 Implementation 3

2.3 Deployment 4

2.4 Operation 4

3. Component and Functionality 5

3.1 Database 5

3.1.1 OrderDB 5

3.1.2 ClimoDB 5

3.2 Data Service 5

3.2.1 Data Requestor 5

3.2.2 Data Decoder 6

3.2.3 Post Processor 6

3.2.4 Job Scheduler 6

3.3 Web Service 6

3.3.1 ClimoAOI 6

3.3.2 ClimoTES 6

3.3.3 ClimoRES 7

4. Data Source 7

4.1 Data Format 7

4.2 Data Center and Model and Access 7

4.2.1 NOMADS 7

4.2.2 Environmental Data Cube Support System (EDCSS) 8
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5. Conclusion 9

6. Future Plan 9

6.1 Additional Data Option 9

6.2 Impact Overlay Web Service 9

6.3 Graphical User Interface 9

7. References 10

List of Symbols, Abbreviations, and Acronyms 11

Distribution List 12
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v

List of Figures

Fig. 1 ClimoMyWIDA component and process flow....................................... 2

Fig. 2 ClimoMyWIDA interaction with MyWIDA .......................................... 3
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INTENTIONALLY LEFT BLANK.
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1. Introduction

My Weather Impacts Decision Aid (MyWIDA),

1 a rules-based tactical decision aid, 

provides weather effects on weapon systems by coupling forecast data with systemspecific environmental rules. It consists of 2 databases, a data service server, a 

collection of web services, and web applications that show weather impacts on 

selected assets on an overlay map. 

Climate accounts for all past weather events. If we assume that climate is not 

changing rapidly, then high-quality, long-term climate data can tell us the 

qualitative range of weather events we might expect in the future.

For the purpose of advance and strategic planning, modeling and simulation, or 

when current forecasts are not available, use of climatological data becomes an 

option. Therefore, the application “Climatological Data Option in MyWIDA 

(ClimoMyWIDA)” is developed to augment the MyWIDA, by incorporating

model-archived and historic weather data.

Additionally, ClimoMyWIDA follows MyWIDA’s software design and coding 

standards, and reuses existing MyWIDA codes as well. 

2. Application Description

This section gives an overall description of the ClimoMyWIDA application. First,

it shows the architectural design and how this application interacts with MyWIDA,

then it describes the implementation and deployment details, and finally it

illustrates how the application is operated.

The major prototype development is focused on server-side components, which 

consist of 2 underlying databases, a data service server, and a collection of web 

services. 

2.1 Architectural Design

ClimoMyWIDA is designed to be a self-contained application and can be easily 

integrated into MyWIDA and other systems as well. 

Figure 1 shows the component layout and process flow among the web service 

client, the weather data service center, the data service server, and the underlying 

database and web service.
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Fig. 1 ClimoMyWIDA component and process flow

The core software modules facilitate the following: 

1) user data request order being placed into OrderDB database; 

2) data transfer from various weather data centers to local data store;

3) data being decoded/stored into Gridded Meteorological DataBase (GMDB);

4) additional meteorological fields being post processed and stored into 

GMDB;

5) generation of asset impact grids; and
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6) scheduling of data request and updating of order status.

Figure 2 shows the layout of MyWIDA and ClimoMyWIDA and the interaction

between the 2 systems.

Fig. 2 ClimoMyWIDA interaction with MyWIDA

2.2 Implementation

The application is developed using the following software and technologies:

• The application is built on Java SE Development Kit 8.

• The external data repository (database) is implemented in Hyper Structured 

Query Language Database2 for storing metadata and data. 

• Job scheduler (a data service server) for data acquiring/processing is 

implemented using Quartz Scheduler framework.

3

• The web services are defined by the Web Services Description Language 

(WSDL). Other systems interact with these web services in a manner 

prescribed by their description in eXtensible Markup Language (XML), 
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using the Simple Object Access Protocol (SOAP), conveyed with Hypertext 

Transfer Protocol (HTTP).

• The software component is built with script using Apache Ant.

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2.3 Deployment

The components are built, deployed, and tested on the UNIX and Windows 

operating systems. The server-side components, such as database and data service 

server, are deployed and operated on the host machines; web service is deployed 

on a Glassfish 4 application server. 

2.4 Operation

The following executables/commands are used by the user to perform necessary 

tasks:

• Data Service Server

o ClimoDataService.sh: start up data service server

o StopClimoDataService.sh: stop data service server

• Data Acquiring/Transfer

o getOneValidtime.sh: download data from National Centers for 

Environmental Prediction (NCEP) archived data for one valid time

o getMoreValidTime.sh: download data from NCEP archived data for

multiple valid times

• Data Processing

o ClimoGribDecoder.sh: decode General Regularly distributed 

information in Binary Edition 1 (GRIB1) message and store data into 

GMDB

o ClimoPostProcess.sh: derive additional parameters and store these 

parameters into GMDB

• Data and Database Management

o CleanFile.sh: remove cached local files

o ClimoDBManager.sh: check database entries

o ClimoMetaData.sh: display metadata of model run in GMDB
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o ClimoReadData.sh: display data for a model run in GMDB

A web service client is available for viewing data inventory/threshold value:

• This web application enables the user to view the data inventory in the 

database and display the thresholds values via a web browser.

3. Component and Functionality

This section describes the component and its functionality.

3.1 Database

Two underlying databases are provided for managing user information, data order

requests, and processed meteorological gridded data.

3.1.1 OrderDB

This component (database and application programming interfaces [APIs])

provides the functionality for storing/accessing/manipulating user information and

data requests. It is configurable by configuration files and implemented with 

Hibernate for accessing the database layer.

3.1.2 ClimoDB

This component (database and APIs) provides the functionality for 

storing/accessing/manipulating climatological gridded metadata and data. 

3.2 Data Service

The Data Service module comprises Data Requestor, Data Decoder, Post Processor, 

and the Job Scheduler. 

3.2.1 Data Requestor

The Data Requestor provides the functionality for acquiring user-defined data from 

the remote server of the data provider (machine-to-machine). The data are

downloaded and stored locally for further processing. 

NCEPDataRequestor, a subcomponent of the Data Requestor, is used for requesting 

data from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA)

Operational Model Archive and Distribution System (NOMADS)5 via File Transfer 

Protocol (FTP).
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3.2.2 Data Decoder

The Data Decoder provides the functionality for decoding/ingesting 

meteorological-gridded data files from various data centers into GMDB. The 

GRIB1 DataDecoder, a subcomponent, is used to decode the GRIB1 message.

3.2.3 Post Processor

The Post Processor provides the functionality for applying some algorithms on 

some meteorological variables to derive one or more variables. 

This module is not meant to operate alone. It relies on the successful completion of 

data ingest process managed by the Data Decoder. Based on the data ingested in 

the ClimoDB database and the parameter/layer required by the application, the Post 

Processor derives additional parameters and stores the results into GMDB.

3.2.4 Job Scheduler

The Job Scheduler acts as a data server and provides the following functionality:

• Monitors and updates the status of incoming/existing data orders

• Schedules the process of data requests based on the order specifics

• Downloads, ingests, and postprocesses returned data files from the remote 

server into GMDB

• Performs database management tasks at specific times or regular intervals

of time

• Keeps track of data records and prevents database overflow

3.3 Web Service

3.3.1 ClimoAOI

This web service (Area of Interest [AOI] Service) is responsible for 

validating/accepting user order requests. Data orders placed into the OrderDB

database include information such as user ID, order ID, originating data center, data 

model, content of the data request (spatial/temporal extent, parameter, and layer), 

and order status. 

3.3.2 ClimoTES

This web service (Threshold Evaluation Service [TES]) analyzes climatological

data to determine where the weather thresholds are exceeded. The web service

client supplies threshold values for evaluation against the gridded data, including 
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the surface level, over an area of interest (AOI). The primary information returned 

is a grid representing where the thresholds are exceeded. 

3.3.3 ClimoRES

This web service (Rule Evaluation Service [RES]) provides asset impact grids by 

evaluating a set of rules for a specified data set. 

Given a list of assets and their associated rules, the ClimoRES first disassembles

the rules into a collection of independent clauses, which are sent to the ClimoTES 

for threshold evaluation. The ClimoTES clause evaluations are then combined by 

ClimoRES into asset impacts. 

4. Data Source

Although a wide range of data sources are available from multiple data centers, the 

data option of ClimoMyWIDA depends on the data source’s data inventories, 

formats, and access methods. Only a couple of data sources are included in the 

prototype development. 

4.1 Data Format

The application currently only operates on meteorological-gridded reanalysis type 

of data in GRIB1 format.

4.2 Data Center and Model and Access

4.2.1 NOMADS

• Sources of Global Reanalysis Data

1. NCEP/ National Center for Atmospheric Research (NCAR) Reanalysis 

I (1948–present)

o Model runs, 4 times/day

o Global grids 

o Pressure level

o 2.5 ° by 2.5 °

2. NCEP/Department of Energy (DOE) Reanalysis II (1979–present)

o Model runs, 4 times/day
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o Global grids 

o Pressure level

o 2.5 ° by 2.5 °

• Data Access

The NCEP/NCAR Reanalysis I6 and NCEP/DOE Reanalysis II7 data sets in 

GRIB1 format are available online.

8,9 It allows users to subset GRIB1 files 

and download the data to a local machine via FTP/HTTP. 

4.2.2 Environmental Data Cube Support System (EDCSS)

The EDCSS10 is a Department of Defense–sponsored program to provide a 

consistent suite of environmental products for the modeling and simulation 

community. 

• Environmental Data Archive Resources

This is the data source from National Climatic Data Center (NCDC), but 

with customized options such as additional parameters, specific scenario 

condition, specific data range, and additional products (25+ years).

o Model runs, 4 times/day

o Global grids 

o Pressure level

o 2.5 ° by 2.5 °

• Higher Fidelity Data with Weather Research and Forecasting (WRF) Model 

Run

The WRF modeling capability is leveraged to reproduce historical scenarios 

with conditions relevant to exercise objectives. From the WRF model run it

reproduces the scenario at a much higher resolution:

o Model runs, hourly

o Global grids 

o Pressure level

o 15 km by 15 km

• Data Access 

The user needs to register with the EDCSS web site to access/request data.
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5. Conclusion

The ClimoMyWIDA application provides weather effects on weapon systems by 

using climatological-archived data. It is intended to augment the MyWIDA. 

However, it is designed as a self-contained system and can be integrated into other 

systems as well.

The prototype development is focused on server-side components, which consists

of 2 databases(OrderDB and ClimoDB), a data service module, and 3 web services 

(ClimoAOIS/ClimoTES/ClimoRES). It can handle GRIB1 format and implement 

limited data sources (NCEP and EDCSS).

6. Future Plan

6.1 Additional Data Option

Data in other formats such as GRIB edition 2 (GRIB2) and Network Common Data 

Form (NetCDF), a set of software libraries and self-describing, 

machine-independent data formats that support the creation, access, and sharing of 

array-oriented scientific data, will be included with a plugin data decoder within

the Data Decoder framework.

Additional data centers/sources can be considered. 

6.2 Impact Overlay Web Service

The web service that provides a Keyhole Markup Language document containing 

color-coded asset weather impacts at one or more layers will be implemented. 

6.3 Graphical User Interface

A web application similar to the reference implementation of MyWIDA, which 

shows weather impacts on selected assets on an overlay map based on 

climatological data, will be implemented. 
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7. References

1. Brandt J, Dawson L, Johnson J, Kirby S, Marlin D, Sauter D, Shirkey R,

Swanson J, Szymber R, Zeng S. Second generation weather impacts decision 

aid applications and web services overview. White Sands Missile Range (NM): 

Army Research Laboratory (US); 2013 Jul. Report No.: ARL-TR-6525.

2. HyperSQL: HSQLDB-100% Java Database. [accessed 2017 Jul 05].

http://hsqldb.org/.

3. Quartz job scheduler. [accessed date 2017 Jul 05]. http://quartz-scheduler.org/.

4. The Apache Ant Project: Apache Ant. [accessed 2017 July 5].

http://ant.apache.org.

5. NOAA Operational Model Archive and Distribution System (NOMADS) User 

Manual. City (ST): Publisher [accessed 2017 July 5]. 

http://nomads.ncdc.noaa.gov/guide.

6. National Weather Service Climate Prediction Center: NCEP/NCAR 

Reanalysis Project (CDAS). City (ST): Publisher [accessed 2017 July 5]. 

http://www.cpc.ncep.noaa.gov/products/wesley/reanalysis.html.

7. National Weather Service Climate Prediction Center: NCEP/DOE Reanalysis 

II. City (ST): Publisher [accessed 2017 July 5]. 

http://www.cpc.ncep.noaa.gov/products/wesley/reanalysis2/index.html.

8. Document for Getting & Using Reanalyses. City (ST): Publisher [accessed 

2017 July 5]. https://www.ncdc.noaa.gov/data-access/model-data/modeldatasets/reanalysis-1-reanalysis-2.

9. National Weather Service Climate Prediction Center: Fast downloading of 

GRIB files Partial http transfers. City (ST): Publisher [accessed 2017 July 5]. 

http://www.cpc.ncep.noaa.gov/products/wesley/fast_downloading_grib.html.

10. Environmental Data Cube Support System (EDCSS). City (ST): Publisher 

[accessed 2017 July 5]. http://www.edcss.net/edc/.
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List of Symbols, Abbreviations, and Acronyms

AOI area of interest 

API application programming interface

ClimoMyWIDA Climatological Data Option in MyWIDA

DOE Department of Energy

EDCSS Environmental Data Cube Support System 

FTP File Transfer Protocol

GMDB Gridded Meteorological Database

GRIB1 General Regularly distributed Information in Binary, Edition 1

GRIB2 General Regularly distributed Information in Binary, Edition 2

HTTP Hypertext Transfer Protocol

ID identification

MyWIDA My Weather Impacts Decision Aid

NCAR National Center for Atmospheric Research

NCDC National Climatic Data Center 

NCEP National Centers for Environmental Prediction

NetCDF Network Common Data Form

NOAA National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

NOMADS NOAA Operational Model Archive and Distribution System

RES Rule Evaluation Service 

SOAP Simple Object Access Protocol

TES Threshold Evaluation Service

WSDL Web Services Description Language 

XML eXtensible Markup Language

WRF Weather Research and Forecasting
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