This archive contains answers to questions sent to Unidata support through mid-2025. Note that the archive is no longer being updated. We provide the archive for reference; many of the answers presented here remain technically correct, even if somewhat outdated. For the most up-to-date information on the use of NSF Unidata software and data services, please consult the Software Documentation first.
Hi Tim, Thanks for providing as much detail as you did. I have run three tests of different levels with GDVINT and GDPVSF on the NAM file to confirm that the grids look different and I suspect there may be something in the code which matches levels in the input to those specified by STARTL and STOPL. I'll update you when I know more. Michael > Hi Michael, > > Thank you for update on the GDPVSF tool. I am having some more problems with > the GDPVSF tool, and I think there may be a coding issue. The data that I am > using are in pressure coordinates, so I have to use GDVINT to interpolate the > dataset to theta coordinates. When I make this conversion and run GDPVSF, the > output that is plotted tends to have gaps in the dataset. The amount of data > that comes through seems to be dependent upon the range of theta values that > I interpolate the pressure data to. I have tried to do this with both > archived operational NAM data and NARR data that I converted from GRIB files. > In this particular example, I downloaded the file 2011081500_nam212.gem from > the following link. > http://mtarchive.geol.iastate.edu/2011/08/15/gempak/model/ The file was > re-saved with the .grd extension. The settings that I am using for GDVINT are > as follows: > > GDFILE = 2011081500_nam212.grd > GDOUTF = dtnam_test.grd > GDATTIM = f00 > GLEVEL = 280-380-5 > GVCORD = pres/thta > MAXGRD = 4000 > GAREA = 15;-130;50;-70 > VCOORD = pres > > Upon interpolating the pressure coordinate data to theta coordinates, I then > run GDPVSF with the following settings: > > GDFILE = dtnam_test.grd > GDOUTF = dtnam_test.grd > GFUNC = abs(pvor(pres,wnd)) > GDATTIM = f00 > GVCORD = thta > STARTL = 380 > STOPL = 280 > DESIRE = 0.00000015 > GDOUTL = 15 > GVOUTC = pvab > GPACK = > GLIST = thta;pres > PMAX = 800 > > This process produced a DT surface with holes at higher values of theta (see > attached file). I also tried to rerun all of these tools with an increased > range of potential temperature (280-420k). The end result yields a DT surface > with most of the values over the CONUS missing. Do you know what is causing > this inconsistent output with these dynamic tropopause surfaces? > > Thanks, > Tim Lahmers > > > > > On Feb 5, 2013, at 9:55 AM, Unidata GEMPAK Support wrote: > > > Hi Tim, > > > > I've added the fix for GDPVSf in GEMPAK 6.8.0 which can be downloaded at > > http://www.unidata.ucar.edu/downloads/gempak/ or from github at > > https://github.com/Unidata/gempak/tree/master/gempak/source/programs/gd/gdpvsf > > > > if you don't want to reinstall 6.8.0, you can download the contents of that > > gdpvsf direvctory and in $GEMPAK/source/programs/gd/gdpvsf/ run "rm > > $OS_LIB/gdpvsf.a; make everything" > > > > -Michael > > > >> Quick update. > >> > >> I've got the program working on the hrcbob data set once again. Yet to > >> test it on the nam and your other GD input, but if that seems okay I'll > >> send you the update tomorrow. > >> > >> Michael > >> > >> > >>> Hi Tim, > >>> > >>> GDPVSF is a mess right now, yes. I'm trying to fix it this morning and > >>> seeing some problems with how the grid files are opened and read, likely > >>> due to not keeping up with changes in the grid diagnostic library. I'll > >>> let you know what I find. > >>> > >>> Michael James > >>> Unidata > >>> > >>> > >>>> Hi GEMPAK Support, > >>>> > >>>> I am currently working on a project that requires me to use the GDPVSF > >>>> function in GEMPAK 6.7.0 to compute Dynamic Tropopause surfaces. When I > >>>> run GDPVSF, there is no output file created; however, the program does > >>>> not list any errors. I read from the below link from your support site > >>>> that GDPVSF has not been working properly due to changes from past > >>>> updates. > >>>> > >>>> http://www.unidata.ucar.edu/support/help/MailArchives/gempak/msg06131.html > >>>> > >>>> Do you know if the problems I am having are related to the same issues > >>>> described above with GDPVSF? What is the status of the GDPVSF function, > >>>> and do you know when a working version of it will be available? The > >>>> input parameters that I am using are listed at the bottom of this > >>>> message. These parameters originally came from a tutorial concerning the > >>>> function that I found from a university website (listed below); however, > >>>> I used a different input file. > >>>> > >>>> http://www.atmos.albany.edu/ftp/gempak/gdpvsf.readme > >>>> > >>>> Thanks, > >>>> Tim Lahmers > >>>> > >>>> GDFILE = 2012081700_nam212.gem > >>>> GDOUTF = DT_test1.grd > >>>> GFUNC = mul(avor(obs),stap) > >>>> GDATTIM = last > >>>> GVCORD = thta > >>>> STARTL = 260 > >>>> STOPL = 350 > >>>> DESIRE = 0.00000015 > >>>> GDOUTL = 15 > >>>> GVOUTC = pvbl > >>>> GPACK = > >>>> GLIST = uwnd;vwnd;pres > >>>> PMAX = 700 > >>>> > >>>> > >>>> > >>> > >> > > > > Ticket Details > > =================== > > Ticket ID: RJR-299468 > > Department: Support GEMPAK > > Priority: Normal > > Status: Open > > > > > > Hi Michael, > > Thank you for update on the GDPVSF tool. I am having some more problems with > the GDPVSF tool, and I think there may be a coding issue. The data that I am > using are in pressure coordinates, so I have to use GDVINT to interpolate the > dataset to theta coordinates. When I make this conversion and run GDPVSF, the > output that is plotted tends to have gaps in the dataset. The amount of data > that comes through seems to be dependent upon the range of theta values that > I interpolate the pressure data to. I have tried to do this with both > archived operational NAM data and NARR data that I converted from GRIB files. > In this particular example, I downloaded the file 2011081500_nam212.gem from > the following link. > http://mtarchive.geol.iastate.edu/2011/08/15/gempak/model/ The file was > re-saved with the .grd extension. The settings that I am using for GDVINT are > as follows: > > GDFILE = 2011081500_nam212.grd > GDOUTF = dtnam_test.grd > GDATTIM = f00 > GLEVEL = 280-380-5 > GVCORD = pres/thta > MAXGRD = 4000 > GAREA = 15;-130;50;-70 > VCOORD = pres > > Upon interpolating the pressure coordinate data to theta coordinates, I then > run GDPVSF with the following settings: > > GDFILE = dtnam_test.grd > GDOUTF = dtnam_test.grd > GFUNC = abs(pvor(pres,wnd)) > GDATTIM = f00 > GVCORD = thta > STARTL = 380 > STOPL = 280 > DESIRE = 0.00000015 > GDOUTL = 15 > GVOUTC = pvab > GPACK = > GLIST = thta;pres > PMAX = 800 > > This process produced a DT surface with holes at higher values of theta (see > attached file). I also tried to rerun all of these tools with an increased > range of potential temperature (280-420k). The end result yields a DT surface > with most of the values over the CONUS missing. Do you know what is causing > this inconsistent output with these dynamic tropopause surfaces? > > Thanks, > Tim Lahmers > > > > > On Feb 5, 2013, at 9:55 AM, Unidata GEMPAK Support wrote: > > > Hi Tim, > > > > I've added the fix for GDPVSf in GEMPAK 6.8.0 which can be downloaded at > > http://www.unidata.ucar.edu/downloads/gempak/ or from github at > > https://github.com/Unidata/gempak/tree/master/gempak/source/programs/gd/gdpvsf > > > > if you don't want to reinstall 6.8.0, you can download the contents of that > > gdpvsf direvctory and in $GEMPAK/source/programs/gd/gdpvsf/ run "rm > > $OS_LIB/gdpvsf.a; make everything" > > > > -Michael > > > >> Quick update. > >> > >> I've got the program working on the hrcbob data set once again. Yet to > >> test it on the nam and your other GD input, but if that seems okay I'll > >> send you the update tomorrow. > >> > >> Michael > >> > >> > >>> Hi Tim, > >>> > >>> GDPVSF is a mess right now, yes. I'm trying to fix it this morning and > >>> seeing some problems with how the grid files are opened and read, likely > >>> due to not keeping up with changes in the grid diagnostic library. I'll > >>> let you know what I find. > >>> > >>> Michael James > >>> Unidata > >>> > >>> > >>>> Hi GEMPAK Support, > >>>> > >>>> I am currently working on a project that requires me to use the GDPVSF > >>>> function in GEMPAK 6.7.0 to compute Dynamic Tropopause surfaces. When I > >>>> run GDPVSF, there is no output file created; however, the program does > >>>> not list any errors. I read from the below link from your support site > >>>> that GDPVSF has not been working properly due to changes from past > >>>> updates. > >>>> > >>>> http://www.unidata.ucar.edu/support/help/MailArchives/gempak/msg06131.html > >>>> > >>>> Do you know if the problems I am having are related to the same issues > >>>> described above with GDPVSF? What is the status of the GDPVSF function, > >>>> and do you know when a working version of it will be available? The > >>>> input parameters that I am using are listed at the bottom of this > >>>> message. These parameters originally came from a tutorial concerning the > >>>> function that I found from a university website (listed below); however, > >>>> I used a different input file. > >>>> > >>>> http://www.atmos.albany.edu/ftp/gempak/gdpvsf.readme > >>>> > >>>> Thanks, > >>>> Tim Lahmers > >>>> > >>>> GDFILE = 2012081700_nam212.gem > >>>> GDOUTF = DT_test1.grd > >>>> GFUNC = mul(avor(obs),stap) > >>>> GDATTIM = last > >>>> GVCORD = thta > >>>> STARTL = 260 > >>>> STOPL = 350 > >>>> DESIRE = 0.00000015 > >>>> GDOUTL = 15 > >>>> GVOUTC = pvbl > >>>> GPACK = > >>>> GLIST = uwnd;vwnd;pres > >>>> PMAX = 700 > >>>> > >>>> > >>>> > >>> > >> > > > > Ticket Details > > =================== > > Ticket ID: RJR-299468 > > Department: Support GEMPAK > > Priority: Normal > > Status: Open > > > > > > Hi Michael, > > Thank you for update on the GDPVSF tool. I am having some more problems with > the GDPVSF tool, and I think there may be a coding issue. The data that I am > using are in pressure coordinates, so I have to use GDVINT to interpolate the > dataset to theta coordinates. When I make this conversion and run GDPVSF, the > output that is plotted tends to have gaps in the dataset. The amount of data > that comes through seems to be dependent upon the range of theta values that > I interpolate the pressure data to. I have tried to do this with both > archived operational NAM data and NARR data that I converted from GRIB files. > In this particular example, I downloaded the file 2011081500_nam212.gem from > the following link. > http://mtarchive.geol.iastate.edu/2011/08/15/gempak/model/ The file was > re-saved with the .grd extension. The settings that I am using for GDVINT are > as follows: > > GDFILE = 2011081500_nam212.grd > GDOUTF = dtnam_test.grd > GDATTIM = f00 > GLEVEL = 280-380-5 > GVCORD = pres/thta > MAXGRD = 4000 > GAREA = 15;-130;50;-70 > VCOORD = pres > > Upon interpolating the pressure coordinate data to theta coordinates, I then > run GDPVSF with the following settings: > > GDFILE = dtnam_test.grd > GDOUTF = dtnam_test.grd > GFUNC = abs(pvor(pres,wnd)) > GDATTIM = f00 > GVCORD = thta > STARTL = 380 > STOPL = 280 > DESIRE = 0.00000015 > GDOUTL = 15 > GVOUTC = pvab > GPACK = > GLIST = thta;pres > PMAX = 800 > > This process produced a DT surface with holes at higher values of theta (see > attached file). I also tried to rerun all of these tools with an increased > range of potential temperature (280-420k). The end result yields a DT surface > with most of the values over the CONUS missing. Do you know what is causing > this inconsistent output with these dynamic tropopause surfaces? > > Thanks, > Tim Lahmers > > > > > On Feb 5, 2013, at 9:55 AM, Unidata GEMPAK Support wrote: > > > Hi Tim, > > > > I've added the fix for GDPVSf in GEMPAK 6.8.0 which can be downloaded at > > http://www.unidata.ucar.edu/downloads/gempak/ or from github at > > https://github.com/Unidata/gempak/tree/master/gempak/source/programs/gd/gdpvsf > > > > if you don't want to reinstall 6.8.0, you can download the contents of that > > gdpvsf direvctory and in $GEMPAK/source/programs/gd/gdpvsf/ run "rm > > $OS_LIB/gdpvsf.a; make everything" > > > > -Michael > > > >> Quick update. > >> > >> I've got the program working on the hrcbob data set once again. Yet to > >> test it on the nam and your other GD input, but if that seems okay I'll > >> send you the update tomorrow. > >> > >> Michael > >> > >> > >>> Hi Tim, > >>> > >>> GDPVSF is a mess right now, yes. I'm trying to fix it this morning and > >>> seeing some problems with how the grid files are opened and read, likely > >>> due to not keeping up with changes in the grid diagnostic library. I'll > >>> let you know what I find. > >>> > >>> Michael James > >>> Unidata > >>> > >>> > >>>> Hi GEMPAK Support, > >>>> > >>>> I am currently working on a project that requires me to use the GDPVSF > >>>> function in GEMPAK 6.7.0 to compute Dynamic Tropopause surfaces. When I > >>>> run GDPVSF, there is no output file created; however, the program does > >>>> not list any errors. I read from the below link from your support site > >>>> that GDPVSF has not been working properly due to changes from past > >>>> updates. > >>>> > >>>> http://www.unidata.ucar.edu/support/help/MailArchives/gempak/msg06131.html > >>>> > >>>> Do you know if the problems I am having are related to the same issues > >>>> described above with GDPVSF? What is the status of the GDPVSF function, > >>>> and do you know when a working version of it will be available? The > >>>> input parameters that I am using are listed at the bottom of this > >>>> message. These parameters originally came from a tutorial concerning the > >>>> function that I found from a university website (listed below); however, > >>>> I used a different input file. > >>>> > >>>> http://www.atmos.albany.edu/ftp/gempak/gdpvsf.readme > >>>> > >>>> Thanks, > >>>> Tim Lahmers > >>>> > >>>> GDFILE = 2012081700_nam212.gem > >>>> GDOUTF = DT_test1.grd > >>>> GFUNC = mul(avor(obs),stap) > >>>> GDATTIM = last > >>>> GVCORD = thta > >>>> STARTL = 260 > >>>> STOPL = 350 > >>>> DESIRE = 0.00000015 > >>>> GDOUTL = 15 > >>>> GVOUTC = pvbl > >>>> GPACK = > >>>> GLIST = uwnd;vwnd;pres > >>>> PMAX = 700 > >>>> > >>>> > >>>> > >>> > >> > > > > Ticket Details > > =================== > > Ticket ID: RJR-299468 > > Department: Support GEMPAK > > Priority: Normal > > Status: Open > > > > > > Hi Michael, > > Thank you for update on the GDPVSF tool. I am having some more problems with > the GDPVSF tool, and I think there may be a coding issue. The data that I am > using are in pressure coordinates, so I have to use GDVINT to interpolate the > dataset to theta coordinates. When I make this conversion and run GDPVSF, the > output that is plotted tends to have gaps in the dataset. The amount of data > that comes through seems to be dependent upon the range of theta values that > I interpolate the pressure data to. I have tried to do this with both > archived operational NAM data and NARR data that I converted from GRIB files. > In this particular example, I downloaded the file 2011081500_nam212.gem from > the following link. > http://mtarchive.geol.iastate.edu/2011/08/15/gempak/model/ The file was > re-saved with the .grd extension. The settings that I am using for GDVINT are > as follows: > > GDFILE = 2011081500_nam212.grd > GDOUTF = dtnam_test.grd > GDATTIM = f00 > GLEVEL = 280-380-5 > GVCORD = pres/thta > MAXGRD = 4000 > GAREA = 15;-130;50;-70 > VCOORD = pres > > Upon interpolating the pressure coordinate data to theta coordinates, I then > run GDPVSF with the following settings: > > GDFILE = dtnam_test.grd > GDOUTF = dtnam_test.grd > GFUNC = abs(pvor(pres,wnd)) > GDATTIM = f00 > GVCORD = thta > STARTL = 380 > STOPL = 280 > DESIRE = 0.00000015 > GDOUTL = 15 > GVOUTC = pvab > GPACK = > GLIST = thta;pres > PMAX = 800 > > This process produced a DT surface with holes at higher values of theta (see > attached file). I also tried to rerun all of these tools with an increased > range of potential temperature (280-420k). The end result yields a DT surface > with most of the values over the CONUS missing. Do you know what is causing > this inconsistent output with these dynamic tropopause surfaces? > > Thanks, > Tim Lahmers > > > > > On Feb 5, 2013, at 9:55 AM, Unidata GEMPAK Support wrote: > > > Hi Tim, > > > > I've added the fix for GDPVSf in GEMPAK 6.8.0 which can be downloaded at > > http://www.unidata.ucar.edu/downloads/gempak/ or from github at > > https://github.com/Unidata/gempak/tree/master/gempak/source/programs/gd/gdpvsf > > > > if you don't want to reinstall 6.8.0, you can download the contents of that > > gdpvsf direvctory and in $GEMPAK/source/programs/gd/gdpvsf/ run "rm > > $OS_LIB/gdpvsf.a; make everything" > > > > -Michael > > > >> Quick update. > >> > >> I've got the program working on the hrcbob data set once again. Yet to > >> test it on the nam and your other GD input, but if that seems okay I'll > >> send you the update tomorrow. > >> > >> Michael > >> > >> > >>> Hi Tim, > >>> > >>> GDPVSF is a mess right now, yes. I'm trying to fix it this morning and > >>> seeing some problems with how the grid files are opened and read, likely > >>> due to not keeping up with changes in the grid diagnostic library. I'll > >>> let you know what I find. > >>> > >>> Michael James > >>> Unidata > >>> > >>> > >>>> Hi GEMPAK Support, > >>>> > >>>> I am currently working on a project that requires me to use the GDPVSF > >>>> function in GEMPAK 6.7.0 to compute Dynamic Tropopause surfaces. When I > >>>> run GDPVSF, there is no output file created; however, the program does > >>>> not list any errors. I read from the below link from your support site > >>>> that GDPVSF has not been working properly due to changes from past > >>>> updates. > >>>> > >>>> http://www.unidata.ucar.edu/support/help/MailArchives/gempak/msg06131.html > >>>> > >>>> Do you know if the problems I am having are related to the same issues > >>>> described above with GDPVSF? What is the status of the GDPVSF function, > >>>> and do you know when a working version of it will be available? The > >>>> input parameters that I am using are listed at the bottom of this > >>>> message. These parameters originally came from a tutorial concerning the > >>>> function that I found from a university website (listed below); however, > >>>> I used a different input file. > >>>> > >>>> http://www.atmos.albany.edu/ftp/gempak/gdpvsf.readme > >>>> > >>>> Thanks, > >>>> Tim Lahmers > >>>> > >>>> GDFILE = 2012081700_nam212.gem > >>>> GDOUTF = DT_test1.grd > >>>> GFUNC = mul(avor(obs),stap) > >>>> GDATTIM = last > >>>> GVCORD = thta > >>>> STARTL = 260 > >>>> STOPL = 350 > >>>> DESIRE = 0.00000015 > >>>> GDOUTL = 15 > >>>> GVOUTC = pvbl > >>>> GPACK = > >>>> GLIST = uwnd;vwnd;pres > >>>> PMAX = 700 > >>>> > >>>> > >>>> > >>> > >> > > > > Ticket Details > > =================== > > Ticket ID: RJR-299468 > > Department: Support GEMPAK > > Priority: Normal > > Status: Open > > > > > Ticket Details =================== Ticket ID: RJR-299468 Department: Support GEMPAK Priority: Normal Status: Open