Initial grids means the forecaster does not start with a blank screen in the Editor. Modifying reasonable guidance is faster than drawing everything on an empty screen. Using the forecast information in the database, many different kinds of products, in many display and transmission formats, can be made at once. You can make text forecasts, voice, graphics, tables, and grids of forecast information. Due to computer speed the products can be made and transmitted very quickly from the forecast database once the forecast is prepared.
All products are consistent since they are derived from the same set of official forecast grids.
The Products can be more complex and detailed than would be possible to make by hand in the time available. The forecaster forecasts weather, and is free to concentrate on weather problems. The computer makes the products from forecasted weather information, in formats specified in advance. Other forecast editors are supplied by the NWS Meteorological Development Laboratory .