Item: Gswarm: An Example of Making a GIS Model for Everyday Use
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Title: Gswarm: An Example of Making a GIS Model for Everyday Use
Proceedings: 2010 International Snow Science Workshop
Authors:
- Cora Shea [ Department of Geoscience, University of Calgary, Canada ]
- Bruce Jamieson [ Department of Geoscience, University of Calgary, Canada ] [ Department of Civil Engineering, University of Calgary, Canada ]
Date: 2010
Abstract: Modeling snow processes over terrain with a Geographic Information System (GIS) takes a specific set of skills and a lot of computer processing power and time. These factors are often at odds with how such a model would be used for, say, daily avalanche forecasting. We used the near-surface snow warming statistical and empirical model SWarm as a basis for designing a simple and fast GIS tool. This simple GIS-based warming model, called GSWarm, resulted from (a) published user comments on existing snow and avalanche computer tools, (b) published graphic design principles, and (c) direct forecaster feedback. Using GSWarm as an example, we present key ideas used to provide a simple interface to a complex GIS model, including: (1) Calculating many possible scenarios ahead of time, so hypothesis testing of different weather and snow conditions can be done quickly. (2) Allowing small previews of many results to be seen on one screen, for selection of specific conditions without using input boxes. (3) Providing scaling and visualization help to the user rather than giving a single final result. These ideas represent a unique perspective on snow and avalanche computer model design.
Object ID: ISSW_P-041.pdf
Language of Article: English
Presenter(s): Unknown
Keywords: computer assisted forecasting, geographic information systems (gis), modelling
Page Number(s): 523-529
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