Using the Distance Speed Tool

Purpose:

This task demonstrates how to use the Distance Speed tool to determine the linear speed and direction of motion of a storm or feature.

Tasks:

 
  1. Load a product with something to track (e.g. IR satellite).
  2. From the Tools menu, select Distance Speed.  In the Distance Speed pop-up window, ensure that "Point" is selected for the "Mode" option.
  3. Left-click and hold on the Drag Me to Feature icon and drag it to your desired feature.
  4. Step the loop in the main display panel backwards several frames.
  5. Left-click and hold on the Drag Me to Feature icon and drag it to the same feature as you did in Step 3 (for a moving feature, the location should be different than in Step 3)
  6. Step forward and backward several frames to ensure that the motion vector is accurate for the feature you are tracking.
    1. If the track is a little off, keep repeating Steps 3-6 to fine tune the motion vector. Depending on the feature you are tracking, this process can sometimes take several iterations before you have a motion vector you are confident is accurate.
  7. In the Distance Speed window select "Time" for the Legend and note the times of the first frame, last frame, and extrapolated time.
  8. Task Complete!