The University of Utah Interactive Dynamics Program—One Approach to Interactive Access and Storage of Meteorological Data

An interactive-software package has been developed in the University of Utah's Department of Meteorology to access and display meteorological data received via satellite broadcast. The retrieval of the meteorological data relies upon a test-release version of the Unidata System for Scientific Data Management sponsored by the University Corporation for Atmospheric Research. Output from the National Meteorological Center medium-range forecast and nested-grid models along with surface aviation and upper air raobs are processed and stored for later instructional or research uses. An overview of the computer hardware and software used in this system is provided. As an example of the capabilities of the software, how output from the medium-range forecast model can be used for real-time monitoring of short-term climate variability and for synoptic instruction on an expanded global scale is demonstrated.