Open source QGIS toolkit for the Advanced Research WRF modelling system. (February 2019)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Meyer, D.; Riechert, M.
• Is Part Of: Environmental modelling & software. Volume 112(2019)
• Page Start: 166
• Page End: 178
• Publication Date: 2019-02
• Subjects: WRF -- WPS -- QGIS -- Plug-in -- Python -- Software development; Environmental monitoring -- Computer programs -- Periodicals; Ecology -- Computer simulation -- Periodicals; Digital computer simulation -- Periodicals; Computer software -- Periodicals; Environmental Monitoring -- Periodicals; Computer Simulation -- Periodicals; Environnement -- Surveillance -- Logiciels -- Périodiques; Écologie -- Simulation, Méthodes de -- Périodiques; Simulation par ordinateur -- Périodiques; Logiciels -- Périodiques; Computer software; Digital computer simulation; Ecology -- Computer simulation; Environmental monitoring -- Computer programs; Periodicals; Electronic journals; 363.70015118
• DOI: 10.1016/j.envsoft.2018.10.018
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1364-8152

Abstract

Abstract: The Advanced Research WRF (Weather Research and Forecasting) model is a popular atmospheric model used for research and Numerical Weather Prediction (NWP). However, despite its popularity, its set-up and configuration often demand several interdisciplinary skills that go beyond the understanding of physical processes. Pre-processing tasks, such as importing custom high-resolution datasets in the WRF Pre-processing System (WPS), still require a considerable effort from the user. We present GIS4WRF, a free, open-source, and cross-platform QGIS Python plug-in to help scientists and practitioners with their Advanced Research WRF modelling workflows. GIS4WRF incorporates new and existing tools for data-processing, configuration, simulation, and visualization into a single graphical environment, and offers WRF-CMake binary distributions for Windows, macOS, and Linux. We highlight its main features and provide useful insights into several key approaches and techniques used in its development. We end with two example applications highlighting the contributions of GIS4WRF in simplifying several WRF-related tasks. Highlights: GIS4WRF brings new and existing WRF tools into a single graphical environment. It combines tools for data processing, configuration, simulation, and visualization. It integrates into QGIS's growing ecosystem of geoscientific software.