FY 1998

User-friendly visualization and analysis of oceanographic and meteorological data with the Ferret program

Hankin, S., D.E. Harrison, J. Davison, K. O'Brien, and J. Callahan

In CALMet 97, 3rd International Conference on Computer-Aided Learning and Distance Learning in Meteorology, 1997 Joint Assemblies of the International Association of Meteorology and Atmospheric Sciences (IAMAS) and International Association for Physical Sciences of the Oceans (IAPSO), Melbourne, Australia, 1–9 July 1997, on CD (1997)

Ferret is a workstation-based visualization and analysis environment designed to meet the needs of physical scientists studying global ocean/climate interactions. The scientist working with Ferret is provided with a highly-automated, flexible, end-to-end environment in which he/she can probe large and complex gridded data sets, such as model outputs and observational data products, with a minimum of effort. The design of Ferret has emphasized close integration of graphics, analysis, and data management. Ferret provides well-proven scientific graphics styles, such as contours, scatter plots, and vector diagrams, and the ability to define new variables as mathematical expressions involving data base variables. Analysis is augmented by regridding capabilities and boolean operators to perform calculations over arbitrary regions. Ferret's data management is based on a simple, adaptable data model incorporated into standardized, self-describing, direct-access files.