Step 1 : Click the link to get the list of the models.

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Step 2 : The latest times in UTC time should be the time you choose. If one indicates that the "Data is currently unavailable" then you can choose to wait and come back as these data are being processed. The data are plotted about 6 hours after their times indicate.

Optional : You can choose to get a list of the variable definitions.

Step 3: Click Next to go to the next page

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Step 4: Choose a variable: LIFTX is Lifted Index, Winds are obvious. As you would see, there are many variable with which you may like to experiment. Remember, a variable such as winds (indicated in the variable list) can be plotted at 16 levels known as the mandatory levels such as 1000hPa level, 700hPA level, 500hPa level and so on.

Step 5: Go down and choose the time and date you wish to check out (between the times and dates indicated for the models). Otherwise you will get an error.

Step 6: Choose the region "aust" for Australia from the drop down list or you can look at the rest of the globe if you wish.

Step 7: Press plot and it should work! Now you have to understand what you are plotting. But that's not my job.

Step 8: If you wish to plot other variables or other time data, press the Back button on your browser.

Optional: You may want to plot a more local scale rather than the whole country such as a state or territory. Here's how to do it.

In Step 6, choose custom. Next to this on the same line you will see

only for custom maps greyed out section
-long. (longitude) is the start longitude of your map on the left limit. Everything will increase to the right

-long. width: this is the width of the map you wish to plot in degrees of longitude

-lat. (latitude) is the start latitude of your map on the lower limit Everything will increase in latitude upwards

-lat. lat. height: this is the height of the map you wish to plot in degrees of latitude

(Remember, Australian latitudes are negative and longitude varies from 110 to 160 E).

Now plot it. Trial and error is the best experience for this.

Now it may be useful, especially in this case, to vary the contour interval but only in a few case is this necessary. The computer model issues a default value automatically.

Good Luck,
Jimmy Deguara

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