Automated weather map display



An automated weather map display shows updated weather maps or other images for public viewing. The maps may be accessed interactively or a series of maps may be displayed continuously as a loop. Once the maps or webcam images are downloaded from public sites, they are shown using the full screen of the computer display. At a pre-determined interval, usually an hour, the display program stops, the images are deleted and new images are downloaded. Once downloaded, the display program displays the updated maps. The system is usually used in schools or libraries and other public areas and is ideal for science-oriented display cases and travel center booths. It is a common fixture in many rest areas along interstate highways. In an educational setting, the maps allow students to see the relationship between global weather patterns and the weather that they experience. It can also be used to display weather warnings.

A working system
The weather map display system at the Department of Geography / Geology at the University of Nebraska at Omaha has been in continuous operation since 1999. Consisting of six Apple Macintosh computers, some dating to 1992 and with as little as 32 MB of memory, the system uses Cron and Applescript to perform certain operations every hour. Files that are downloaded include GIF or JPEG images that display current weather conditions, including NEXRAD radar, lightning strikes, weather warnings and watches. Once the files are downloaded to a folder, JPEGView displays the files in a continuous loop. After an hour, JPEGView stops, the weather maps are deleted a new set of maps are downloaded. JPEGView starts again and the new maps are displayed.

The specific computers used in the weather map display system are two Macintosh IIvx computers built in 1992, a Macintosh LC III from 1993, a Macintosh Centris 610 from 1994 and two Power Macintosh 8500 computers built in 1995 that display animated weather maps. Software includes Okey Dokey Pro, Cron, JPEGView, and Applescript. QuickTime Pro is used for the animated weather map display.