How do I use MADIS?

[Greg Higgins]

I have seen several references to using MADIS data in DA Fusion. I understand the concept but don't know what needs to be done to download this data through DA. I have searched the forums, checked the help file and manual..nada. Surely I'm not the only poor soul in need of direction! Thanks for the help!

Greg

[Weasel]

Tick the box next to "Integrated MADIS data U.S. from NOAA (BIG file)" in the internet retrieval panel - the file is about 5mb and contains a bunch of surface station data, ~7500 stations, that can be plotted in fusion just like a METAR. Just download this file by itself, set station plot density to 100% and you'll see just how dense the coverage is... pretty amazing coverage really:) The obs will have an x with a circle at the center.

I believe only temp, dew point and wind are included - so these are also included in a Fusion analysis of those.

Pat

[Greg Higgins]

Aw, so thats the problem! I don't have anyting like that in my "Internet Retrevial panel". Guess I'll need to reinstall Fusion and see if it reappears. Or, can I " add site" and manually add it in? What is the URL that is needed? Thanks.

Greg

[Weasel]

http://www.madis-fsl.org/cgi-bin/simple ... el=1&xml=0

Should do the trick using the add site thing if for some reason it didn't show up in the list.

Pat

[LocoAko]

Well I still can't download any data... but what is the difference between MADIS and METAR's? METAR's seem to be more inclusive wrt amount of data....

[Weasel]

Well I still can't download any data... but what is the difference between MADIS and METAR's? METAR's seem to be more inclusive wrt amount of data....

First, do you have a first name?

Anyway, I clicked the link and it downloads the public MADIS data file - use add site in the internet retrieval menu, paste the link, and maybe name it MADIS??

Check out the difference in stations between a METAR download and a MADIS download. MADIS includes thousands of observatins the METAR doesn't. MADIS fills in many of the gaps found in METAR data because of station spacing with temperature, dew point and wind data observations. I guess you could look at it like having a mesonet available for analysis in Fusion for many areas.

Pat