CWMS-MetVue Release Notes
2021.08.## - HEC-MetVue official v3.1.0 release is included in the official CWMS 3.3 release.
2021.05.04 - HEC-MetVue v3.1.0 Beta is included in the official CWMS 3.2.2 release.
New Features:
MetVue 3.1.0
- UPDATE to New Input Data Time Window Controls: The CAVI-MetVue Model Alternative’s input data reading time window can now be modified through a negative time offset relative to the Start Time of the Simulation and a positive time offset relative to the End of the Forecast. This feature can be used to extend the CAVI-MetVue time window of data processing beyond the duration of the CAVI Forecast Simulation’s time window, especially in support of using HEC-HMS’s Hamon Evapotranspiration method, which requires additional temperature data one day before the start time and one day after the end time of the simulation.
- UPDATE to New Input Data Time Window Controls: The CAVI-MetVue Model Alternative’s input data reading time window can now be modified through a negative time offset relative to the Start Time of the Simulation and a positive time offset relative to the End of the Forecast. This feature can be used to extend the CAVI-MetVue time window of data processing beyond the duration of the CAVI Forecast Simulation’s time window, especially in support of using HEC-HMS’s Hamon Evapotranspiration method, which requires additional temperature data one day before the start time and one day after the end time of the simulation.
- Temporal Trimming of QPF Outlook: A new option is now available in the CAVI-MetVue Alternative's Output Settings Tab's Options dialog that can be used to limit the outlook of forecast precipitation to be used in HEC-MetVue computations. For example, when a 7-Day QPF is linked to the CAVI-MetVue model alternative but only the first day of the QPF is intended to be used in the forecast simulation, setting a +1 Day offset from the Time of Forecast would make the CAVI-MetVue model alternative compute only the first day of the QPF and apply zero-value precipitation grids for the remainder of the forecast.
- Temporal Trimming of QPF Outlook: A new option is now available in the CAVI-MetVue Alternative's Output Settings Tab's Options dialog that can be used to limit the outlook of forecast precipitation to be used in HEC-MetVue computations. For example, when a 7-Day QPF is linked to the CAVI-MetVue model alternative but only the first day of the QPF is intended to be used in the forecast simulation, setting a +1 Day offset from the Time of Forecast would make the CAVI-MetVue model alternative compute only the first day of the QPF and apply zero-value precipitation grids for the remainder of the forecast.
- Default Value Options Settings: A new option is now also available in the CAVI-MetVue Alternative's Output Settings Tab's Options dialog that can be used to specify the missing data filling options as well as change the default values. For precipitation, temperature, and snow datasets, MetVue computes will automatically fill in missing grids using either default values or using a copy of the closest in time valid grid. Another "no filling" option is also available if it is not desired to fill in missing grids.
- Predefined Temporal Transformation Sets: The Temporal Transformation tool now provides predefined transformation sets, including: a uniform weighting, a few variations of a (start, center, or end) peaked weighting, triangular weighting, linearly ascending weighting, and linearly descending weighting. These temporal transformation options are typically useful for disaggregating 6-hourly forecast precipitation datasets into hourly intervals.
- Default Value Options Settings: A new option is now also available in the CAVI-MetVue Alternative's Output Settings Tab's Options dialog that can be used to specify the missing data filling options as well as change the default values. For precipitation, temperature, and snow datasets, MetVue computes will automatically fill in missing grids using either default values or using a copy of the closest in time valid grid. Another "no filling" option is also available if it is not desired to fill in missing grids.
- Auto-Preprocessing of Input Datasets: After the CAVI data extract is completed for a forecast simulation, MetVue will auto-preprocess any input datasets that require temporal transformation or missing data filling or both. MetVue will copy from the forecast.dss file only the input datasets that require transformation/filling and process them in auto-generated DSS files in temporary directory under the Metvue project directory of the CWMS watershed. A new CAVI "MetVue Data Preprocessing" message pane tab is now available showing progress of the preprocessing operations. For the CAVI MetVue Model Alternative's Map nodes in the forecast simulation tree, new hatched highlighting of has also been introduced to highlight situations where missing data filling applied.
- Auto-Preprocessing of Input Datasets: After the CAVI data extract is completed for a forecast simulation, MetVue will auto-preprocess any input datasets that require temporal transformation or missing data filling or both. MetVue will copy from the forecast.dss file only the input datasets that require transformation/filling and process them in auto-generated DSS files in temporary directory under the Metvue project directory of the CWMS watershed. A new CAVI "MetVue Data Preprocessing" message pane tab is now available showing progress of the preprocessing operations. For the CAVI MetVue Model Alternative's Map nodes in the forecast simulation tree, new hatched highlighting of has also been introduced to highlight situations where missing data filling applied.
- Auto-Creation of CAVI-MetVue Output Map Windows: Any CAVI-MetVue Model Alternative's output dataset (which combines observed and forecast input datasets into a single output dataset) will get an automatically created MetVue Map Window upon creation of a CAVI forecast simulation.
- Auto-Creation of CAVI-MetVue Output Map Windows: Any CAVI-MetVue Model Alternative's output dataset (which combines observed and forecast input datasets into a single output dataset) will get an automatically created MetVue Map Window upon creation of a CAVI forecast simulation.
MetVue 3.1.0 Beta
- Default Value Option for Forecast Map Windows: Default Value option is available for the CAVI-MetVue forecast Map Window selection, in particular to automatically generate zero-value forecast precipitation grids for the no future precipitation alternative.
- Missing Data Filling: For missing gridded data gaps in the observed or forecast time windows, HEC-MetVue will fill missing gaps through a constant value or interpolated values, depending on the data type and conditions of missing period. For PER-CUM data types, a zero-value grid(s) will be used to fill the missing period. For INST-VAL and PER-AVER data types:
- If the missing period has valid grids at the start and end of the missing period, linear interpolation will be applied.
- If the missing period extends through the end of the observed period’s time window, the value of the last available grid will be duplicated and carried forward to fill in the remainder of the observed period. Same treatment applies for the forecast period.
- If the missing period starts from the start of the observed period, the first available grid will be duplicated and carried backwards to fill in the gap through the start of the observed period. The same treatment applies for the forecast period.
- Missing Data Filling: For missing gridded data gaps in the observed or forecast time windows, HEC-MetVue will fill missing gaps through a constant value or interpolated values, depending on the data type and conditions of missing period. For PER-CUM data types, a zero-value grid(s) will be used to fill the missing period. For INST-VAL and PER-AVER data types:
- Pre-defined Temporal Transformation Patterns: The HEC-MetVue Temporal Transformation Tool now includes a number of pre-defined temporal transformation options for the most commonly used patterns, in particular options for peaked temporal transformation patterns at the start, center, or end of the time interval.
- New input data time window controls: The CAVI-MetVue Model Alternative’s input data reading time window can now be modified through a negative time offset relative to the Start Time of the Lookback Period and a positive time offset relative to the Time of Forecast. This feature can be used to extend the CAVI-MetVue time window of data processing beyond the duration of the CAVI Forecast Simulation’s time window, especially in support of using HEC-HMS’s Hamon Evapotranspiration method, which requires additional temperature data one day before the start time and one day after the end time of the simulation. The new CAVI-MetVue Alternative input data time window controls feature can also be used to limit the outlook of forecast precipitation to be used in HEC-MetVue computations. When a 7-Day QPF is linked to the CAVI-MetVue model alternative but only the first day of the QPF is intended to be used in the forecast simulation, setting a +1 Day offset from the Time of Forecast would make the CAVI-MetVue model alternative compute only the first day of the QPF and apply zero-value precipitation grids for the remainder of the forecast.
- Preprocessing of CAVI-MetVue Alternative’s Input Data: Preprocessing of input gridded datasets will occur automatically when either data filling is necessary for missing grids, or time interval transformation is required, or both. This will also allow for more flexibility in setting the forecast time window, for which the start time of the simulation and the time of forecast no longer have to coincide with the times of input data such as SWE (which registers at 0600 GMT every day) and QPF (which registers at 0000/0600/1200/1800 time intervals).
- Auto-creation of CAVI-MetVue Alternative’s output map window(s): The CAVI-MetVue Model alternative now automatically creates HEC-MetVue Map Windows for output datasets, such as an output dataset that consists of the combination of observed and forecast precipitation. Automatically generated output map windows are named based on the user-specified name in the CAVI-MetVue Model Alternative’s Output Tab plus the Model Alternative’s Key string appended with parenthesis.
Known Issues:
MetVue 3.1.0
- Default Program Order: When modifying the CAVI’s default program order to include HEC-MetVue, sometimes HEC-MetVue does not appear in the CAVI’s Model Alterative Keys Editor. When that situation occurs, shutting down the CAVI then restarting it will refresh the CAVI’s Model Alterative Keys Editor to include HEC-MetVue in the list of available models.
- CAVI-MetVue Map Layers: In the CAVI Forecast Run tree, the HEC-MetVue Model Alternative’s status of Map Windows sometimes fails to update. In addition, the corresponding HEC-MetVue results map layers (e.g. contour layer and basin average images) do not display in the CAVI’s forecast simulation’s Map Window. When encountering those situations, the following options can help update the status of the HEC-MetVue Map Windows and corresponding image displays in the CAVI’s Forecast Simulation’s Map Window:
- In the CAVI Forecast Run tree, click on the CAVI-MetVue Model Alternative’s node, then click on the HEC-MetVue Map Window node. If that does not force the update, edit the CAVI-MetVue alternative and poke any setting then press OK to close the editor.
- In the CAVI Forecast Simulation’s Map Window, zoom in and out for the HEC-MetVue results maps to reappear.
- CAVI-MetVue Map Layers: In the CAVI Forecast Run tree, the HEC-MetVue Model Alternative’s status of Map Windows sometimes fails to update. In addition, the corresponding HEC-MetVue results map layers (e.g. contour layer and basin average images) do not display in the CAVI’s forecast simulation’s Map Window. When encountering those situations, the following options can help update the status of the HEC-MetVue Map Windows and corresponding image displays in the CAVI’s Forecast Simulation’s Map Window:
- Obsolete Map Windows: If the output dataset in the CAVI-MetVue alternative is renamed, a new HEC-MetVue output Map Window will get created and used in the forecast. That will leave an obsolete and harmless output Map Window which can be deleted to remove the extra clutter in the HEC-MetVue session.
- DSS6 support only: HEC-MetVue is compatible with DSS6 and DSS7 files and data. However, DSS7 support is not yet enabled by default in HEC-MetVue and will not be until a coordinated full CWMS package DSS7 support is achieved in the near future. In the mean time, caution is advised to not open DSS7 files in HEC-MetVue as reading DSS7 records can currently cause the program to crash.
- Replace-from-Base and Map Window Icon Data Status: Map Window icons in the forecast that are originally indicated as green and hatched (data filled) turn solid green after replace-from-base. Work around is to refresh the MetVue Map Window icon using the refresh button in the actions tab or the option in the right-click menu.
MetVue 3.1.0 Beta
- Default Program Order: When modifying the CAVI’s default program order to include HEC-MetVue, sometimes HEC-MetVue does not appear in the CAVI’s Model Alterative Keys Editor. When that situation occurs, shutting down the CAVI then restarting it will refresh the CAVI’s Model Alterative Keys Editor to include HEC-MetVue in the list of available models.
- Missing Data: For non-INST-VAL datsasets, missing data at the start of the lookback or the time of forecast will cause CAVI-MetVue alternative compute to fail. If it is not possible to correct the missing data issue in the source database, the forecast simulation time window’s start of the lookback and/or the time of forecast should be modified to coincide with times for which data is available.
- CAVI-MetVue Map Layers: In the CAVI Forecast Run tree, the HEC-MetVue Model Alternative’s status of Map Windows sometimes fails to update. In addition, the corresponding HEC-MetVue results map layers (e.g. contour layer and basin average images) do not display in the CAVI’s forecast simulation’s Map Window. When encountering those situations, the following options can help update the status of the HEC-MetVue Map Windows and corresponding image displays in the CAVI’s Forecast Simulation’s Map Window:
- In the CAVI Forecast Run tree, click on the CAVI-MetVue Model Alternative’s node, then click on the HEC-MetVue Map Window node. If that does not force the update, edit the CAVI-MetVue alternative and poke any setting then press OK to close the editor.
- In the CAVI Forecast Simulation’s Map Window, zoom in and out for the HEC-MetVue results maps to reappear.
- CAVI-MetVue Map Layers: In the CAVI Forecast Run tree, the HEC-MetVue Model Alternative’s status of Map Windows sometimes fails to update. In addition, the corresponding HEC-MetVue results map layers (e.g. contour layer and basin average images) do not display in the CAVI’s forecast simulation’s Map Window. When encountering those situations, the following options can help update the status of the HEC-MetVue Map Windows and corresponding image displays in the CAVI’s Forecast Simulation’s Map Window:
- Obsolete Map Windows: If the output dataset in the CAVI-MetVue alternative is renamed, a new HEC-MetVue output Map Window will get created and used in the forecast. That will leave an obsolete and harmless output Map Window which can be deleted to remove the extra clutter in the HEC-MetVue session.