Using the points and polygons options of "Ad Hoc Operations" can quickly calculate time series values for areas of interest between different Map Windows. 

This task will demonstrate creating time series for "Point and Polygon Operations" to compare different forecasted precipitation products.  

Examine the Datasets.

  • Open the "MBRFC QPF 6HR" and "WPC QPF 6HR" Map Windows and close all other Map Windows.
  • The Map Windows can be placed side by side using the "Tile Windows" button.
  • In the "MBRFC QPF 6HR" zoom into the heaviest precipitation in the Vermillion, Lower Big Sioux, and Rock HUC 8s. 
  • The Map Windows can be synced by right clicking in the "MBRFC QPF 6HR" Map Window and selecting "Sync Session Map Windows To This Map Window" option. 

The "WPC QPF 6HR" map window displays the six hour quantitative forecast precipitation (QPF) from the National Weather Service Weather Prediction Center. This is a national product that estimates precipitation for CONUS for the next seven days in six hour intervals. The WPC QPF is a broader, more widespread forecast for larger areas with longer lead times. The "MBRFC QPF 6HR" map window displays six hour QPF grids from the Missouri Basin River Forecast Center (MBRFC). The MBRFC QPF is a revised version of the WPC QPF that the River Forecast Center has adjusted based on local conditions for the river forecasting models.

Adjust Project Settings.

  • Check that the "Time Series Sampling Method" is set to "All Windows, Single Plot" is the Global Settings. 

  • In the bottom right drop down menu of the animation bar, select "All Maps." 

Sample From the Map Windows.

  • Click on the "MBRFC QPF 6HR" Map Window and then select the "Define Polygon" tool. 
  • Draw a polygon in the Lower Big Sioux HUC 8. 
  • Use the Ad Hoc Polygon Operations to plot the time series. 
  • HEC-MetVue will calculate the time series for both Map Windows and place them in a Time Series Plot.
  • Adjust the "WPC QPF 6HR" line style to be blue and both lines to have a heavier weight. 

Question: Which QPF product estimated a higher forecasted amount?

The WPC QPF estimated a larger initial peak on the 21st and then the MBRFC QPF estimated a larger peak on the 22nd.  

Animate the Map Windows.

Using the animation toolbar allows the user to dynamically change the time window and re-create an aggregate TIN for the Map Window on the fly for any selected Date Range. The toolbar also allows the user to move forward or backward in time at the specified timestep and will re-aggregate the TIN data as the time window is shifted. This feature is useful for adjusting time windows on-the-fly or for stepping through time series data at a specific increment.

  • Leave the Time Series Plot open and check that the drop down that says "All Maps" in the bottom right of the Map Windows on the TimeWindow bar.
  • Select the check the box to the left of the TimeWindow in the lower left of the Map Windows and allow the data to reload.   
  • HEC-MetVue will reload the data in the Map Windows and the Time Series Plot. 
  • Once the data has been reloaded the TimeWindow will say "Buffering complete" and the map windows will turn white and not show precipitation. 
  • Adjust the date range to be from "19Jun2024 1200" to "19Jun2024 1800." This will animate the Map Windows to show six hour time intervals of precipitation. 
  • Select the play button () to view the animation. 
  • Pause () the animation and and then move the blue slider by clicking and dragging it to show the precipitation on June 22nd from 0000 to 0600. 
  • The blue slider could also be adjusted by adjusting the date range to show the specific time span.

As the animation progresses in the Map Windows, the green hatch shading animates in the Time Series Plot to highlight the same date range. 

  • Change the date range to show 24 hours of forecasted precipitation. This can be done by typing in a new date range or dragging the ends of the blue slider.
  • Close the Time Series Plot and all Map Windows, then proceed to the next task.


Tasks

Part A – Introduction to the Project and Datasets

Part B – Ad-Hoc Operations - Time Series

Part C – Mass Processing of Samples