Using Tracking Analyst to Show a Cold FrontAL Passage in Utah: 15-16 April 2002

1. Using Tracking Analyst to Show a Cold FrontAL Passage in Utah: 15-16 April 2002 Craig Johnson ATM4710 – GIS 9 May 2011

2. Project Goal • The goal of this final project is to use archived data obtained from Mesowest to show the passage of a strong cold front in Utah on April 15-16, 2002. The idea is to download and filter data using Excel. Then, using ArcCatalog and ArcMap I would create points that could then be visualized over time using the tracking analyst tool. The expected outcome would be that you could easily see the passage of the cold front.

3. Obtaining Data • Using the MesoWest site (Operated by the University of Utah) I was able to retrieve weather station data from 10 stations across the state of Utah • To see the stations you can either click on the state, or search for specific stations using the search bar at the top left.

4. Obtaining Data (cont) • You can get details about each station by searching it. • Information such as latitude, longitude, and elevation are available. • To download the data simply click the download data tab on the left

5. Obtaining Data (cont) • This is what the download data page looks like. To download more than 1 days worth of data you have to be a member (free). By entering an end data, end hour, and length I was able to retrieve data for two days. A large number of different variables are available to download. Simply hit submit and the data downloads right into an excel file.

6. The Data (Raw)

7. The Data (Filtered)

8. Some Formatting Notes • The tracking analyst tool will only work if the Date and Time column is formatted as a text • Highlight the entire DateTime column • Click the dropdown and scroll to Text

9. Create Personal Geodatabase • In ArcCatalog create a new Personal Geodatabase • This is where all the work you do in ArcMap and ArcCatalog will be stored

10. Create Table Single • Right click on your newly created personal geotabase • Navigate to: • Import • Table (single) • This will allow you to bring in your data for each station into your personal geodatabase

11. Create Table Single (cont) • Input Rows: • Navigate to the file for the station data you want to create the table for • Output Location: • This should be connected to the folder where all of your project data is stored • Output Table: • This is just what the table name will be stored as. Just use the station name • Repeat this for all stations

12. Create Feature Class • The next step is to create a Feature Class. • Right click on the station you want to create a feature class for and navigate to: • Create Feature Class • From XY Table… • This is what you will use for Tracking Analyst

13. Create Feature Class (cont) • Make sure that your X Field is Longitude and your Y Field is Latitude. • Then click Coordinate System of Input Coordinates • Click Select • Navigate to: • Geographic • World • WGS 1984.prj

14. Create Feature Class (cont) • Now click on the folder icon under Output – Specify output shapefile or feature class • Give it the name of the station, and make sure Save as type is set to Shapefile • Click Save • Click OK • This will create the feature class you will use to build the tracking analyst

15. Create Map Layer • From the \\lsc-files\rec directory copy over any project files that you might want to use • Start with States • Once this is copied to your project folder, open the states shapefile in ArcMap using the add data button • Once the data comes in, right click on the states tab and open the attributes table • Click on the state(s) you are using. In this case, just click on Utah and close the table

16. Create Map Layer (cont) • Right click on the states feature again and navigate to: • Selection • Create Layer from Selected features • This will create the map layer for just the selected feature (Utah)

17. Add Other Data • Using the add data button, add more data to your map • This is handy when trying to identify your relative position on the map • Rivers, Lakes, Roads, and Cities are helpful • Retrieved this data from the \\lsc-files\rec directory

18. Clip Tool • Some of this data will be shown outside your area of interest. • Use the clip tool (under Geoprocessing) to clip certain features • Input Features: • Feature you want to clip (i.e rives, roads, etc) • Clip Features: • The area you want the feature to be clipped to. In this case, the state of Utah

19. Map Layer Final Product • By right clicking on each feature, you can turn labels on and off. • In this case, the cities and Interstates are labeled

20. Adding Temporal Data • First make sure tracking analyst is read for use by selecting Customize -> Extensions -> Tacking Analyst • Next click the add temporal data button • Under Data source navigate to the shapefile you want to use • Under Field containing the date/time you have selected the column from the excel file that displays your date and time as a text • Click through to finish adding temporal data

21. Edit Symbols • Select the events feature you just created and right click • Click on properties • Click on the symbology tab and navigate down to graduated colors on the left hand side • Change the number of classes to as many as possible • Right click on the symbol and navigate to symbols for all ranges • Select appropriate symbol

22. Check Playback • Click on the playback button and make sure the tracking analyst tool has worked. If the Start and End times are appropriate for the data, then you are good to go. • You can change the speed of the playback under the options bar.

23. Finished Product in ArcMap

24. Creating Movie Clip • The Last step is to create a movie clip of the animation you have created using the tracking analyst tool • Click on the tracking analyst drop down and select Animation Tool…

25. Creating Movie Clip (cont) • Again, make sure the start and date times are correct and what you want them to be • You can change the speed of the movie clip by adjusting the frame information • Finally choose a place to save the movie and click Generate

26. Conclusions Issues Adjustments • Actually hard to see when and where the cold front passes • Not enough station data • Missing block of data for all stations for a period of 6 hours • Add other data such as wind speed and direction to better show cold front passage • Add terrain to see which stations might have been effected less by the cold front

27. Questions