A Visualization System for Weather Forecast Analogs

Abstract

Similar historical forecasts (also called analogs) are important references for the forecasters in their routine work. The forecasts are multi-variate data, and it is difficult to determine whether two forecasts are similar. In this study, we propose a radar glyph based visualization system to analyze the similarity of analogs using multiple variables. The radar glyph, nested in a radar chart, can effectively provide the forecasters with the similarity based on different variables, while keeping an overall similarity context. An interactive system is developed to support the analog data analysis and help the forecasters detect potential biases in the forecast. The usability of the system is then demonstrated using two case studies.