AWIPS Build Changes - OCLO

RECENT TRAINING-RELATED AWIPS BUILD CHANGES

Build 21.4.1 is fully deployed and Build 23.2.1 is beginning deployment (see below). For a dynamic searchable table for all builds check out the AWIPS Builds Table (new).

OB23.2.1 (Jan 2024)

AWIPS 23.2.1 Overview in CLC (10 min; CLC, non-CLC web, PDF) Training
- Jobsheet: Multi-Panel Layouts (5 min)
- Jobsheet: Rain Rate Classification (RRC) Product (5–10 min)
- Jobsheet: Canadian Radars (5–10 min)
- Jobsheet: D2D TAF Display (5 min)
- Living Release Notes
Multi-Panel Layouts (Fig)
- 19 layouts available to optimize space on horizontal or vertical monitors
- Jobsheet: Multi-Panel Layouts (5 min)
Rain Rate Classification (RRC) Product
- Shows which rain rate relationships are being used to calculate dual pol QPE
- Requires RPG Build 21 (RPG build lookup)
- Jobsheet: Rain Rate Classification (RRC) Product (5–10 min)
Canadian Radars
- Canadian S-band radar data anticipated to flow on SBN shortly after deployment of 23.2.1
- Nationwide reflectivity mosaic
- Full dual pol suite available for Canadian dial radars (except no hydro classification algorithm)
- Jobsheet: Canadian Radars (5–10 min)
- Canadian Radars Reference Page
Legacy LSR application has been removed
Duplicate SBN data requests for non-dedicated radar connections are being filtered
SPC Day 4–8 Probability of Severe has been added
NSHARP Tool from Tools menu now supports multiple soundings
AWIPS Interactive Reference "Reference on Product" searches are now working again (URLs fixed)
New D2D TAF Display
- Multicolor and sampleable
- Jobsheet: D2D TAF Display (5 min)
GFE-based experimental HeatRisk product anticipated in a dash release for all CONUS sites shortly after 23.2.1 deployment
- HeatRisk webinar

OB21.4.1 (Jun 2023)

OB20.2.3 (Apr 2021)

OB19.3.1 (Dec 2019)

AWIPS Build 19.3.1 Informational Overview in CLC (12min, CLC, link for non-CLC users, PDF speaker notes, NSHARP Hail and Tornado Parameters Reference, PGEN Static Overlay Jobsheet)
Hazard Services Hydrologic (IOC) - see Hazard Services VLab reference page for references
- New hazard generation software in AWIPS (Fig)
- Use it to issue all watch, warning, and advisory products for hydro
  - Replaces WarnGen hydro component, RiverPro, GHGH
- Only hydro in this build
  - Winter, Convective, Marine, etc will be progressively added over the next 2 years
- Lots of training
  - User and focal point online training (Link)
  - Focal Point residence workshops in at WDTD in Norman, OK
Radar
- More sites scan below 0.5 degrees (Fig)
NSHARP (NSHARP Hail and Tornado Parameters Reference)
- Large hail parameter
- Vrot (Fig)
- HAIL (Fig)
- CONDTor (Fig)
FFMP Basin Trend plots all hours independent of the time duration slider bar (Fig)
Display PGEN as background data (Fig)
- PGEN Static Overlay Jobsheet
Obs time match basis now works again (Fig)
Distance Scale Tool new units added (Fig)
- Nautical miles (nm), kilometers (km)
Data Delivery
- GUI Changes
  - filtering options removed from the Dataset Discovery Browser
  - ability to filter by group removed from the Data Delivery Subscription Manager
  - active period handling removed from the Dataset Delivery Subscription Manager
Archiver
- Satallite data retention changed from 168 to 72 hours (Fig)
  - Most offices have site overrides so impact is minimal
Under the hood
- Manual endpoint relocated to /data_store/dropbox
- AlertViz action can now be any executable script
  - Place scripts in cave_static/*/*/alertviz/actions
- Updated XML TAF encoder for AvnFPS
- BLU PILs added to the National Dataset Maintenance (NDM) afos2awips.txt
- Python 3 coming in 20.3.1

OB19.2.1 (Aug 2019)

AWIPS Build 19.2.1 Informational Overview in CLC (18min, Internet access link for non-CLC users, PDF speaker notes)
Significant DR backlog addressed in this build
Climate perspective (Fig)
- Appeared as a new perspective in CAVE in 18.1.1, now ready to be used in this build
Radar
- MRLE
- Power Removed Control product (Fig)
NSHARP auto update, loop, and display fixes
IBW Flash Flood (Fig)
- Turned off by default
- Coordinated date to turn on later in 2019 after after field test
Load as Image and Combine (Fig)
MRMS Version 12
- New products and OCONUS expansion (Fig)
- LDAD feed first, SBN delayed
Model derived windchill units changed to Fahrenheit (Fig)
Flood Warnings issued in RiverPro now display in CAVE
1-3 Day excessive rainfall data displays (Fig)
SPC Day 2 individual parameters (Fig)
- Coming late 2019
Submenus maintain checkboxes when torn off
FFMP VBG trace not backwards anymore (Fig)
NUCAPS plan view (Fig)
mPing auto updates (Fig)
Under the hood
- uEngine decommissioned
- GFE changes
  - GFE based TAF formatter
  - purgeAllGrids script
  - default smartinit threads changed from 1 to 3
  - IBW Flash Flood WarnGen templates
  - createUserTopoFile, display time independent NetCDF data in CAVE
  - FixDoubleBoundaries.py, fixes bundles with separate shared boundaries
  - TOWR-S RPM enhancements
  - Contour control (Instructions for freezing the contours)

OB18.2.1 (Mar 2019)

18.2.1 Informational Overview (14min; Training in the CLC (Internet access only), speaker notes PDF, No Jobsheets)
Significant DR backlog addressed in this build as well as the subsequent 19.2.1 release.
Radar
- Dual-pol precip bias has N/A label (Fig)
- Tear off both Z and V for the same dedicated radar (Fig)
- New VCP 112 improves range folding by combining back to back SZ-2 velocity scans at 0.5, 0.9, 1.3 degrees (Fig)
- Reflectivity cross section can now be loaded from the volume browser without having to worry about mapping error
Saved NSHARP display can now be loaded without errors (Fig)
Time-Match basis preserved in bundles
GOES-R
- Improved sampling to include channel name and gamma setting (Fig)
- sumbmenu re-organization
Display regional flood advisories without issues (Fig)
Time of Arrival Tool
- No more "Unrealistic Point of Arrival" label for point and circular front
WarnGen
- 0.75" hail changed from dime to penny sized in the template of the Significant Weather Advisory and Special Weather Statement
Unrestricted Mesoscale Analysis (URMA)
- Hourly RFC Stage IV precipitation accumulation products added (Fig)
Significant Tornado Parameter (STP) loads from Volume Browser (Fig)
For ITO's and Focal Points
- µEngine finally decommissioned in the next build (19.2.1)
- Sites may have duplicate entries for the NBM in the pqact.conf.xxx file which can negatively affect system performance

OB18.1.1 (Oct 2018)

OB17.3.1 (Apr 2018)

OB17.2.1 (Dec 2017)

17.2.1 Informational Overview (11-13min; training in the CLC (Internet access only), speaker notes PDF, No Jobsheets) - released December 4, 2017
RedHat 7 variances
- Classic Gnome desktop layout
  - New logout window along with minor appearance changes
- Extended 3-monitor display
  - Middle monitor is the main monitor
  - Can drag windows across all 3 monitors
FFmpeg video capture software
AlertViz bar sometimes freezes
- Workaround exists
CAVE product layers variance
- Left-click with the mouse in the map editor after performing "Move Up" or "Move Down" in Product Legend for changes to take effect
MPE Fixes (DR List)
Maximizing windows on single monitor
- No longer get windows that stretch out over 2 monitors when maximized
SCAN DMD SAILS update
Under the hood changes
- Upgrade to 64bit LDM
- Permissions and Local Apps Authentication
- Pacemaker replaces Heartbeat

OB17.1.1 (Mar 2017)

17.1.1 Informational Overview (10min; speaker notes PDF, training in the CLC (Internet access only), Jobsheets: Loading HPN from VB, Adjusting Rates Calculation for HPN Display - released March 30, 2017
Tropical Enhancements
- new storm surge watch/warning
HRRR/RAP additional forecast hours
- HRRR to 18hrs, RAP to 21hrs
Location of Radar Applications menu
- removed from each radar's menu and now only in Radar menu
High-Resolution Precipitation Nowcaster (HPN) Ingest Fixed
MPE integrated into AWIPS 2 infrastructure
DMD SAILS ingest
AWIPS Interactive Reference update
- No login required by default
- New interface (Simple/Advanced)
Changes to infrastructure important to Focal Points (see 17.1.1 tab of Living Release Notes)

OB16.4.1 (Dec 2016)

OB16.2.2 (Sep 2016)

OB16.2.1 (Aug 2016)

AWIPS References from the AWIPS Program
- 16.2.1 AWIPS What's New document
- 16.2.1 AWIPS Release Notes
- AWIPS Living Release Notes (Internet)
- NwsInitsConfig (NIC) Version 3.1 Release Notes
16.2.1 Informational Overview (CLC 11min training [Internet], speaker notes PDF)
MRMS and ARI into FFMP
- Average Recurrence Interval (ARI) reference page - data will be able to be used as guidance similar to RFC Flash Flood Guidance (see reference page for updates and jobsheets).
  - Training in CLC (Internet): Part 1: Intro to ARIs, speaker notes PDF - CLC search string: "ari"
  - Training in CLC (Internet): Part 2: Using ARIs in AWIPS, speaker notes PDF - CLC search string "ari"
- MRMS SPR data ingested into FFMP in 16.2.1 (Scan menu)
- ARI and MRMS FFMP Configuration Support Page contains extra information on how to set up ARIs and MRMS in FFMP
- FFMP reference page - for the FFMP guidance in the 16.2.1 Informational Overview
New D2D map scales (see Scales pullout in CAVE)
- There are numerous map scales that have been added including world views and regional DSS scales.
National/regional warning plots (Obs menu)
- There are new national and regional warning plots to be able to monitor warnings throughout the U.S.
D2D spot forecast overlay (NCEP/Hydro menu)
- There is a new graphic to display spot forecasts from the NCEP/Hydro menu.
All-tilts keyboard shortcut for top of most recent volume scan - see reference page for updates and jobsheet
- Keyboard shortcuts were added to jump to the top and bottom of the most recent complete volume scan.
Satellite Combination Daylight Transition capability - see reference page for job sheet
- You can combine two satellite images and configure them to blend together at sunrise and sunset as daylight transitions.
Note: The numerous bug fixes and some other enhancements capabilities not covered in the training are documented in the 16.2.1 Release Notes and NIC3.1 Release Notes in the AWIPS References from the AWIPS Program section above.

OB16.1.2 (Feb 2016)

No overview available, but have included a couple of notes below.
Dual-Pol DPR in FFMP Fixed
- DPR ingest in FFMP has been incorrect, but it is fixed after 16.2.1 patch 1 (note HPE mosaic has been Dual-Pol since 14.3.1 and has no problems).
Tracking Meteogram reference page - updated training and job sheets with improvements to calculations
- The D2D tracking meteogram will use a 100x100 grid and some new techniques to sample the circles instead of the original 20x20 grid to create statistics on image grids. This should prevent undersampling and oversampling and allow for operations like Sum for total lightning trends.

OB16.1.1 (Jan 2016)

AWIPS Build 16.1.1 Informational Overview (CLC Web link [11min], speaker notes PDF 2.7MB) - released Feb 2016
All-tilts SAILS Navigation Reference Page (with job sheet)
- New more intuitive all-tilt navigation with SAILS data
MRMS All Tilts reference page (with job sheets)
- If you ingest the data through LDAD you can display MRMS Reflectivity Cube grid data in an all-layer all-tilts like way.
  - All-Layer Grid reference page bonus!: The discovery of how All-Tilts MRMS works has allowed creating All-Layer all-tilts like products from any existing grid bundles.
Ensemble Tool reference page (with job sheet)
- A new D2D tool has been designed to create derived plots from individual model members (WFOs only have access to GEFS temperature and precip ensemble members).
mPING reference page (with job sheet)
- The crowd-source mPING surface observations can be displayed in D2D if you configure the ingest through LDAD.
Boundary Tool reference page (with job sheet)
- The Boundary Tool was designed for Aviation Weather Center forecasters to create simple boundary annotations in D2D. The Boundary Tool is similar to other line tools in D2D, except the boundaries can be cleared and reloaded.
National Blend of Global Models
- New National Model Blend grid data is now being ingested into 16.1.1. The data can be viewed from the Volume Browser under the Sources->SfcGrid->NationalBlend, but the ingest into GFE is dependent on downloading the latest NIC from the local applications registry. The GFE components are planned to become baselined in 16.2.2. For more information on the National Model Blend, see the COMET training on the METED site or contact your local GFE focal point.

OB15.1.1 (Sep 2015)

Tracking Meteogram Reference Page - see reference page for CLC course "AWIPS-2 Tracking Meteogram" and jobsheet access
- New D2D tool to track features and make time trends of satellite, radar, grid image, and lightning density data. Also monitor time trends at a single location that updates dynamically as you move the point.

OB14.3.1 (Feb 2015)

Dual-Pol HPE
- The mosaic precip-source HPE was changed to use Dual-Pol DPR as input (instead of Legacy DHR) and special overlays were added to FFMP and the volume browser to display the source and biases used in Bias HPE. The original training to support this was the "Incorporating Dual-Pol HPE/Bias HPE Into Flash Flood Decision Making" module which also had an FFMP/HPE Reference PDF. This training has been updated and split into the following module that is now part of the Warning Operations Course (WOC) Flash Flood Track:
  - High-Resolution Precipitation Estimator (HPE) and Bias HPE (CLC search string: HPE)

The AWIPS tools for flash flooding have been fully incorporated into the WOC Flash Flood Track. Forecasters should refer to the following two courses to incorporate the AWIPS changes into operations:
- IC Flash Flood 2: Flash Flood Forecasting Tools (2018 course snapshot)
  - Ensemble Situational Awareness Table: NAEFS Anomaly & Percentile Data
  - Ensemble Situational Awareness Table: GEFS M-Climate Data
  - Introduction to Average Recurrence Intervals (ARIs) in AWIPS
  - Web-Based Tools for Flash Flooding
  - Introduction to the High-Resolution Precipitation Nowcaster (HPN)
  - Using the HPN in AWIPS
  - Using the Virtual Gauge Basins (VGBs) in FFMP
- IC Flash Flood 3: Flash Flood Warning Best Practices (2018 course snapshot)
  - Choosing Your Precipitation & Guidance Sources
  - Warning Operations Using FFMP
  - FLASH Best Practices
  - Hydro Products Decision Tree
  - Flash Flood Warning Fundamentals
  - Flash Flood Emergency Overview

For questions or comments about AWIPS build training, please contact Michael Magsig at WDTD.

Useful AWIPS Links

OCLO AWIPS Builds Page

AWIPS VLab community home page (VLab community request)

System Managers Manuals, Software Collaboration Portal (SCP)

AWIPS SREC release planning

AWIPS Redmine DR tracking

AWIPS Repo Source Code

RPG Status

VLab cloud tickets

AWIPS Interactive Reference Links

Future Training-Related AWIPS Build Changes

Here is some information about upcoming improvements in AWIPS builds worth noting:

23.2.1 (Jan 2024)

Mostly bug fixes and limited small enhancements
New panel layouts, Canadian radar ingest, Rain Rate Classifier product display from RPG, multi-color D2D TAF display

23.4.1 (first half of 2024)

Redhat 8

24.1.1 (second half of 2024)

Hazard Services severe weather WWA and enhanced Hazard Services architecture
VCP34 support, the Range-Defined Quasi-Vertical Profile (RDQVP) radar product display, and baseline ForecastBuilder/GfeForecastMonitor/ShrinkStretch Smart Tool