The Weather Forecasting Forum

Can anyone help with this Snow Script, which I have obtained from Tim's Red Book. (Excellent Book) The formula is as below.

Snow Index:
S = (H850-H700) +2 x (H1000-H850)

A value of greater than 4179 indicates liquid precipitation, 4179 indicates mixed precipitation, less than 4179 indicates solid precipitation.

Can anyone confirm whether I have got this scrip correct as the majority of the values are around 6000 even though station plots indicate snow present/falling.

ANALYZE, CONT SSUM 4:7 STOR=7 SDIF 5:6 STOR=6 HGHT H850 STOR=5 HGHT H700 STOR=4 SMLC 2:3 STOR=3 SDIF 2:1 STOR=2 HGHT H850 STOR=1 HGHT H000

Peter,
I am a novice at scripting but I have played with your script and I now have figures that come into the 420 range after shuffling the script around.
Also added colour fills etc but you can personalise the script as you wish.

#Snow script (1)
#S=(H850-H700)+2*(H1000-H850)
ERASE
SFCPLOTMODEL,C:\Program Files\DigitalAtmosphereWS\Standard Plot model.sps
ANALYZE, OVER FILL LSTN=4179 COLOR=050:200:255 FILS=0 SSUM 4:7 STOR=7 SDIF 5:6 STOR=6 HGHT H850 STOR=5 HGHT H1000 STOR=4 SMLC 3:2 STOR=3 SDIF 2:1 STOR=2 HGHT H700 STOR=1 HGHT H850
ANALYZE,CONT EQUA=4179 LINE=2 COLOR=255:000:000
ANALYZE, OVER FILL LSTN= 4500 GRTN=4179 COLOR=000:200:050 FILS=2
ANALYZE, CONT CINT=100 COLOR=100:100:100

Regards

Peter,
I've had an after thought as I do not have access to The Red Book out here offshore Argentina, at the moment and changed your 'Snow Script' from your posting.
But I collected the script below sometime ago from this website somewhere but cannot remember the originator. I have posted it to save you hunting through the loads of useful scripts available.

#Freezing rain/snow script
ERASE
SFCPLOTMODEL,C:\Program Files\DigitalAtmosphereWS\Standard Plot model.sps
ANALYZE,OVER FILL LSTN=1530 COLOR=255:200:255 FILS=2 SDIF=1:2 STOR=2 HGHT H850 STOR=1 HGHT H700
ANALYZE,OVER FILL LSTN=1290 FILS=0 COLOR=255:200:255 SDIF=1:2 STOR=2 HGHT H000 STOR=1 HGHT H850
ANALYZE,CONT EQUA=1530 LINE=2 COLOR=000:213:053 SDIF=1:2 STOR=2 HGHT H850 STOR=1 HGHT H700
ANALYZE,CONT EQUA=1290 LINE=2 COLOR=255:000:000 SDIF=1:2 STOR=2 HGHT H000 STOR=1 HGHT H850
ANALYZE,CONT EQUA=5400 COLOR=055:090:250 LINE=2 CONT LSTN=5400 COLOR=055:090:250 CONT CINT=60 DASH COLOR=200:000:000 SDIF=1:2 STOR=2 HGHT H000 STOR=1 HGHT H500

It might need to be modifed it to suit your file structure and preferences.

Regards Peter

Peter,

Many thanks for helping to resolve the problem of the snow script, its really appreciated. Last week Dave Exton had also identified where my script had failed. Unfortunately I have not had enough time this past week to expand the script provide some shading etc and post it on the forum. You have just saved me a load head scratching.

Again thanks again gents, all we need is some snow to see how accurate this plots, there again today in West London it feels like Spring.

Hi All,

what is this file
Standard Plot model.sps
and how to I make or download it ?


Wood Ant

Quote from the original DAWS Manual
Plot model configuration. A "grid" of combo boxes are set up in a way that represents the various data positions around a given station plot. You can use these combo boxes to adjust the kinds of data that are plotted in the different positions. A "Save Plot Model" and a "Load Plot Model" option are provided so that you can make quick, on-the-fly
changes to the desired plot model.

The Standard Plot Plot.SPS file is located in the main programme directory. This is the default plot model.
The file sets the layout of the station plots i.e. what weather symbols are displayed at a station location.
Selecting Preferences - Station Plots shows the current layout.
The settings are stored in the .SPS file.
Once the settings are to your satisfaction, save the plot model to whatever name you want with the extension .SPS
For Upper Air Plot Models a similar procedure is applied but the configuration is saved in the Upper Air box with 'save' but with an extension of .SPU
When running a script any plot model can be recalled and applied to the analysis.

Equinox has a good Help file and is explained in the Prefences section.

Regards

Hi Peter,

Thanks for your help

Wood Ant