WAFS SIGWX Test Data

 

For the first time, SIGWX forecasts will be produced for multiple timesteps.  They will be rationalised into a single product spanning FL100 to FL600, and will be updated to a new IWXXM format. 

The  World Area Forecast Centres (WAFCs) are now able to start providing some test IWXXM format data sets and would like to encourage SADIS and WIFS users to try to visualise this data and provide us with feedback. 

The full IWXXM schema is available here  - please look in the most recent directory to find it.  The schema was approved in November 2021.

 

Important Information

From November 2023 only the current high level SIGWX chart areas for T+24 will be provided in BUFR and PNG format.  Therefore to take advantage of the new multi-timestep SIGWX forecasts users will need to be able to process and visualise the IWXXM SIGWX data sets.  

BUFR format SIGWX will be retired at the end of 2025, and the T+24 PNG charts will be retired in 2028.

By processing and visualising the IWXXM SIGWX data customised SIGWX charts can be created that more effectively meet the needs of users.  Different layers of data can be toggled on or off, displayed in colour, overlaid with other data (e.g. the flight route, or other meteorological data), and presented for any chosen map area and projection. 

 

New SIGWX Characteristics

Instead of having separate high and medium level SIGWX, from November 2023 only a single SIGWX spanning FL100 to FL600 will be produced.  

The way in which WAFS SIGWX will be visualised from will also be changing a little, and these changes can be viewed here.   

 

Test Data

IWXXM will be provided, along with sets of images that can be used to check your visualisations of the different SIGWX features. 

Please note that the images provided are not in their final form (e.g. labelling and colour schemes) but do provide the information that is needed for preliminary testing and using for visualisation comparisons.  Additional test data sets will be released periodically.

 

Feedback Required

The WAFCs, and the WMO team which developed the IWXXM schema are extremely interested in gaining feedback from users on how they visualise this new data. 

Any information on your visualisations, any challenges that were faced (and hopefully overcome), or useful hints and tips that might benefit other users can be e-mailed to the SADIS Manager. 

Test Data Sets

Date	Files	Notes
July 2023	IWXXM SIGWX Global Image S.Polar Image	This IWXXM file uses the latest version of the SIGWX schema (the 2023-1 update) and includes the following Overlapping features High latitude features Features that cross the date line
February 2023	IWXXM SIGWX Global Image	This IWXXM file includes the following: Example of polygons that cross the 180 degree meridian A tropopause height contour that wraps around the pole
November 2022	IWXXM SIGWX Global Image	This IWXXM file includes the following updates to previous files: Heights are now listed as Flight Levels All outer polygons are now listed in a counter clockwise direction Icing intensity coding error fixed Note: We are currently looking at the spacing of wind fletch information, so may be able to improve this.
September 2022	IWXXM SIGWX Global Image	This IWXXM file includes a number of updates to the previous files: Corrected links to BUFR codes registry Including fletch points as main interpolation points along jets Updated links to IWXXM schema versions Implemented UUIDS Replaced elevations of XXX with <iwxxm:*Elevation nilReason="http://codes.wmo.int/common/nil/unknown" xsi:nil="true"/> The file contains one of example of each type of feature, as well as a marker for a volcano, tropical cyclone, nuclear incident and sandstorm. At present, ICING objects are not included in the IWXXM schema, but will be added at a future date. An ICING object is included with this data in the anticipated accepted IWXXM format. We are not 100% certain that the end vectors used on the jet stream objects are correct.  Feedback would be welcomed.
		Further information will be posted here when available.