TechTech Transfer Workshop 2007 Transfer Workshop 2007

Using Keyhole Markup Language Using Keyhole Markup Language (KML) to disseminate RFC products(KML) to disseminate RFC products

Purpose- Purpose- “poor man’s quick briefing tool”“poor man’s quick briefing tool”

• Enabling Emergency Management and the public to utilize geospatial information without the overhead of GIS software and staff.

• Combines NWS specific geospatial information with common base layer data for quick, convenient visual analysis and interpretation in a common environment.

Ridge radar already available…

KMZ based on WFO level…How about a national or RFC scale?

AHAPS forecast point status available…

RFC scale application… full hydrologic view

RFC scale application… custom control

RFC scale application… real-time info with link

RFC scale application… 3D-like terrain display

RFC scale application… 24 hour precip (QPE & obs)

Potential products for KMLPotential products for KML

• Ridge radar… already available• Forecast point status (obs and fcst) demo• 24 hr precipitation (QPE and obs) demo• Other QPE (1hr, 6hr, storm total)• QPF (6hr, day 1-3, 4-5, 5day total, etc)• Flood Outlook Potential?• Any geospatial dataset generated by NWS?

Helpful base layers to provideHelpful base layers to provide

• Hydrologic boundaries– Forecast group, basins, etc.dfd

• County Warning Areas (CWAs)• Dam information?• Detailed Streams and Tributaries• Any geospatial dataset beneficial for

interpreting or analyzing NWS data?

Data file structure/ mgmtData file structure/ mgmt

• Kml file compressed as .kmz– Provided as “one-time” download

• Static data set (client side)– Contains all base layer data sets– Contains dynamic data links to access NWS

specific data sets

• Dynamic data set (server side)– Uploaded automatically to server as data sets

change

Beta test files for use…Beta test files for use…

• http://www.srh.noaa.gov/wgrfc/kml/

A few KML resources…A few KML resources…

• User Forum– http://bbs.keyhole.com

• Documentation and Tutorials– http://code.google.com/apis/kml/documentation

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• KML viewers– Google Earth– ArcExplorer– NASA Worldwind