GeoMet: Disseminating weather layers in the
Web Map Service (WMS) and KML standards
for the general public
Alexandre Leroux, M.Sc., Ing.
Data Management Section
Meteorological Service of Canada
CMOS 2012
Montreal, May 31th 2012
when will we see Canadian weather layers on
smartphones, web maps and Google Earth?
we can now, with GeoMet
MSC already provides access to datasets
but only specialized users
can manipulate and use them
we can improve this with modern methods of
geospatial data dissemination... WMS and KML
Web Map Service (WMS) and Network-KML?
- these are geospatial web services standards
- interactive data visualization
- can be accessed from various devices
web pages, client software, smartphones
Capabilities
- visualize data products and raw data
- WMS is a web service, there’s no file download involved
- data is sent only for a client-specified geographic extent
- data is always up to date
- enable users to integrate data into their tools
Users are requesting this type of service
EMOs, industry, DND, the public, etc
«Overall we are very impressed with the capability
and support the direction that you are taking with
this [GeoMet] initiative as it will be beneficial to
many consumers of Canadian meteorological data.»
- Iain Russell, Director, Meteorological R&D,
The Weather Network / Pelmorex Media Inc.
participants to the GeoMet Public Trial
how many html lines to build a website with an
interactive map of GeoMet's weather layers?
lowering the barrier to consume our data
fully interactive
web mapping website
- zoom, pan, query data
- control over multiple data layers
- overlay external data sources
- you can make your own map
24-lines html website showing
the GEM Rain (QPF) layer
GeoMet KML in Google Earth:
easy access for everyone
zoom in and GeoMet sends
you higher resolution data
GEM LAM East - Air temperature
GeoMet WMS allows sophisticated users
to interact with MSC data into their tool
ArcGIS, one of plenty of software that supports the WMS standard
no file download
the data is always current
data transfered only for the context-specific geographic extent
GeoMet WMS layers into
Sécurité civile du Québec’s
G.O.LOC tool
This tool is used for emergency response
(911, emergency measures, etc)
GeoMet WMS layers into MASAS
Weather radar composite served in WMS
MASAS: location-based situational awareness information and
alerts for first response and emergency management agencies
Geospatial web services prioritization at MSC
GeoMet is part of the Re-engineering the Weather Warning and
Delivery Service signature project
Consistent with EC’s “Geospatial Data Dissemination
Strategy”, CSB - Geospatial Coordination Office
In line with Treasury Board Secretariat requirements:
mandatory implementation of geospatial web services standards
(WMS + Metadata) at GoC
http://www.tbs-sct.gc.ca/pol/doc-eng.aspx?section=text&id=16553
http://www.gcpedia.gc.ca/wiki/Standard_on_geospatial_data
GeoMet status
Ongoing public trials since Fall 2011 with tens of participants
Targeting official launch later in 2012
The GeoMet project doesn’t end there...
GeoMet geospatial data dissemination
GeoMet serves weather layers from RPN fstd files
- GDPRS, RDPS, GEM-LAM, GEM-MACH, weather radar composite
- includes temperature, precipitation, wind speed & direction,
cloud cover, pressure and much more
GeoMet also serves metadata in ISO 19115
It’s all about enabling our clients to easily create products
for their clients
GeoMet for internal uses
GeoMet’s engine is named the CMCDataServer
Can directly serve RPN fstd files in WMS, KML and WFS
For internal use, the CMCDataServer also supports:
WarningInfo, MPCN, CMML, FCST,WWCN
GeoMet for internal uses
UrbanGEM Viewer for CMC’s CUDM system
example show temperature layer, wind barbs and Google relief
colder air from the mountains
goes around Bowen Island
interactive web-based interface to
analyse weather model outputs
Air Quality Scenario Viewer
GeoMet for
internal uses
Vigilance
GeoMet for internal uses
internal WMS layer in Ninjo
HAL "Precipitation Type" field on top of a satellite image and surface observations
warning:WMS support in Ninjo is limited, but it does work
GeoMet for internal uses
WMS layers in the SPI virtual globe
GEM-Reg precipitation and cloud cover in WMS
it’s not about innovating, it’s about using readily available, widely
used and mature technology
It’s all about geospatial data dissemination
Geospatial data is any data located in space:
most of our data at MSC is geospatial data!
Opening the door to new possibilities
- enabling our clients and partners to generate a new set of addedvalue products and services
- easing location-based services, e.g. to provide integration with
smartphones and mobile devices
- streamlining our internal processes
if there’s only one line to remember
GeoMet
versatile and efficient data dissemination
method for displaying weather layers on
interactive websites, mobile devices and
client software using the WMS standard
The GeoMet team
Jean-Philippe Gauthier, CMC EER
Khosrow Ebrahimpour, SSC DADS
Gabor Fricska, Services
Richard Hogue, Joanne St-Coeur, Ken Macdonald
... and myself
For questions and comments:
[email protected]