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IFPS, a new component of AWIPS, integrates the Interactive Computer Worded
Forecast (ICWF) software developed by the Meteorological
Development Laboratory (MDL) and the Advanced Forecast Preparation
System (AFPS), developed by the Forecast
System Laboratory (FSL).
IFPS is sophisticated software providing interactive tools which allows
users to interpret and edit gridded fields of sensible weather elements.
As users prepare these gridded fields of weather elements they are stored
in a digital database. Users may initialize these fields of sensible weather
elements with any combination of model forecasts, guidance products, or
user-generated gridded forecast previously stored in the digital database.
The software
allows users to generate products from the digital database in various
formats such as tabular, text, graphical imagery and gridded files.
The two primary components of IFPS are the Matrix editor and the GFESuite
Spatial and Temporal Editors. For details on the components and use of
IFPS, see FSL’s documentation for the GFESuite
component. Delivery of the IFPS software and training courses for
the AWIPS Release 5.0.IFPS began in January 2001.
Regional IFPS implementation plans are being developed, and Central
and Eastern Region
have established IFPS Websites with regional time lines for implementation.
Check here for a graphical depiction of the National
IFPS Implementation. Each region determines the best approach for
its offices, and establishes a plan to either focus initially on the use
of the IFPS capabilities for graphical and gridded product generation,
for routine text and tabular products, or for a combination of both at
once. Full nationwide implementation of IFPS is projected to take approximately
two years. The goal is to complete the full implementation of IFPS at
all WFOs by the end of FY 2003, to achieve the NWS vision to prepare and
disseminate NWS forecast products in digital form by 2003.
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