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 a forecast precipitation product against observations that actually transpired for the June 2024 Event..  

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." 
  

Animate and Compare the Forecasted and Observed Precipitation Grids.

• Open only the "MBRFC Precip 1 HR" and the "MBRFC QPF 6HR" Map Windows and tile them side by side
• Draw a polygon in heaviest precipitation of the Vermillion and the Lower Big Sioux HUC 8. 
• Use the Ad Hoc Polygon Operations to plot the time series. 
• Change the TimeWidow bottom right drop down to be "All Maps." 
• Use the Time Series Plot Properties to change the "MBRFC QPF 6HR" curve to have a blue color, dashed style, and a slightly larger weight. 
• Increase the weight of the "MBRFC Precip 1HR" curve.
  

Note that observed precipitation from the "MBRFC Precip 1HR" has a hourly time span while the forecasted precipitation from the "MBRFC QPF 6HR" has a six hour time span. The buffering took longer than the QPFs because this animation includes the hourly observed dataset. The buffering time could be reduced by using a shorter duration of precipitation grids or constraining the grids to a smaller areal extent when they are imported. 

• Animate the time windows and change the date range to have a 12 hour difference.
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The Time Series Plot and animation show that the precipitation fell more intense on June 21st than what was forecasted. Then on June 22nd the observed precipitation was less than the QPF. This was a major flood event that happened in southeast South Dakota. The runoff from the precipitation caused many rivers to enter major flood stage and set new record stages at various stream gages throughout the region. 

Tasks

Part A – Introduction to the Project and Datasets

• Task A.1 – Opening the Project
• Task A.2 – Reviewing the Project Settings
• Task A.3 – Reviewing the MBRFC Datasets

Part B – Ad-Hoc Operations - Time Series

• Task B.1 – Exploring Point and Polygon Time Series Sampling Through the Ad Hoc Operations
• Task B.2 – Comparing Two Observed Precipitation Products
• Task B.3 – Comparing and Animating Two Forecasted Precipitation Products
• Task B.4 – Comparing and Animating a Forecast to Actual Observations

Part C – Mass Processing of Samples

• Task C.1 – Mass Processing of Subbasins
• Task C.2 – Mass Processing of Time Series Point Samples