What is the best video mode to use?
How can I plot multiple storms on one tracking chart?
How does the Estimate of 48 - 120 hour 34 and 64 knot wind fields work?
How does the Landfall Recognition work?
Can I put the images from the system in a public forum, like a web site?
How can I get the data in the tracking system into the historical database?
Where can I get updates to the history database as well as program fixes, etc?
Why should I create separate storm databases in system setup?
Why would I want to turn database security ON?
Is the HURRTRAK Software Year 2000 Compliant?
How should I utilize 'Location Groups' and why is there a small map and large map group?
TROUBLESHOOTING
I am having problems accessing HURRTRAK Online - Internet connect. Why?
When creating a custom tracking chart, and all I get is a blank map, why?
What is the significance of the flood index value?
Where can I get Technical Support?
Which the screen resolution is a matter of personal preference, in order to see the main menu window as well as the other system windows, we recommended that you run the system in 1024x768 or higher. We have tested the system in 2560 x 1600 with no problems. We also recommend hi-color mode.
Yes, the Post Storm Analysis feature under User Preferences or Tools.
The majority of system functions are based on a single
storm, however, to plot multiple storms on 1 tracking chart follow these steps:
1. File - Open the first storm
2. Display the storm track on the multiple storm tracking chart tab (choose a chart that will also include the
2nd storm).
3. Do any chart functions you desire. I.E. Display forecast track, etc..
4. File - Open the next storm.
5. Return to the tracking chart opened in step 2 and select "Plot - track". The
track of the storm loaded in step number 4 is then displayed.
6. You may then choose any of the tracking chart functions for this storm.
7. Repeat steps 4 - 6 for each storm you wish to display on that single tracking chart.
You can also use the capabilities within the QUICKPLOT module to display more than 1 storm.
We use the "same" program code as the NHC to compute the strike probability values. There may be slight differences between the program values and the NHC values as the NHC use slightly updated statistical data files.
Since the National Hurricane Center does not provide the forecast wind field information for the areas of 34 and 64 knot winds, we allow the user to turn on the option which will force the system to estimate these wind fields. A series of algorithms are utilized to come up with a best guess of what these wind fields will be.
Since landfall will often be in-between forecast verification times, this presents a problem of linearly extrapolating forecast winds between forecast points. I.E. if a storm's 36 hour forecast is to be 100 miles offshore with top winds of 125 MPH and it's 48 hour position is forecast to be 100 miles inland with top winds of 75 MPH, then a linear extrapolation would calculate a 100 MPH storm at landfall. Turning Landfall Recognition ON will force the system to maintain the intensity of the storm until landfall. Landfall is defined (by the system) as 5 contiguous hours over land.
The license agreement for this software does NOT allow for its images to be placed in a public forum such as a BBS, WEB Site, ON-Air, etc.. If you have a desire to do so, please contact PC Weather Products to discuss separate license agreement possibilities.
Yes, contact PC Weather Products for more information on the Network version.
You can't. The historical database is based on "official" storm track information provided by the NHC (Atlantic / East Pacific). In addition the data is pre-processed to allow for rapid information access.
You can get yearly updates to the historical databases and program fixes from the PC Weather Products web site. http://www.pcwp.com
While separate storm databases are not required, they are recommended in order to segregate storms by year. Creating a separate storm database for 2001, 2002 ,etc.. should make management of storm data much easier. Remember, the system's default database after installation is the "PAST" database. If you wish to segregate this year's storms, create a new database right after you install.
Unless you have the LAN version of the system you probably don't. Turning on security forces the user to signon before starting any of the system's programs that do updating.
See Y2K information for more information.
Location groups are a powerful addition to the tracking system's capabilities. Not only can you display the locations within a group on the tracking charts they also are used to determine which locations will be analyzed in the batch location analysis and with the strike probabilities report. The small map group can be used as the set of locations you want to display whenever you are using a small map (20 degrees wind). The large map group as you might expect can be used when displaying locations on a large map, like the whole Atlantic, etc.
When viewing Emailed reports that has column type data, the receiver must change his Email program viewing font to a non-proportional type (courier for example). A better solution is to email the report as HTML.
TROUBLESHOOTING
1. When I try and
start HOL Internet, I get a "WINSOCK.DLL missing" error message.
This message occurs on computers that have not had Internet access software installed. The
WINSOCK.DLL is included as part of WIN95 dialup networking and is installed as part of
your ISP's installation software.
4. Everything's been working fine for a while, and now
all of a sudden I am getting errors.
Do a cold reboot (shutdown and turn the PC off). You'd be amazed by how many windows
problems get fixed this way.
4. I am
having trouble getting though my proxy server.
Here are a series of steps to try.
1. Take the default hurrtrak online settings and see if that works. Do no select the auto detect option.
If this does not work.
2. Try the auto detect option leaving all other options the same.
If this does not work
3. Deselect the auto detect option then... get the http proxy server address from your network/internet support folks and type it into that field.
If this does not work then you likely have an authenticating proxy server...
4. Put the proxy userid and password into those fields.
If this does not work then
5. The other option is to have the network/internet folks define a "rule" to your proxy server indicating that you can access www.pcwp.com/data and www.pcwp.com/data and reset your hurrtrak online options back to the default.
If you are experiencing color flooding problems, it is likely that you have a bug in your video driver. You should replace your windows video driver with a newer one. These are usually available on your video manufacturer's web site.
This error message indicates that the main system database file(s) have become corrupted. This is typically due to a unplanned shutdown, power outage, etc.. To correct this, run a database repair. If this does not work, then restore from the latest backup. If this is not available, then the only option is to re-install the entire system.
The automatic detection of watch and warning areas from the NHC advisories is operationally challenging. Depending on how they word the watch and warning verbiage some manual intervention may be required by PCWP. When this happens there may be a delay in getting the watch and warning data updated on the HURRTRAK ONLINE system. Until then, the user can manually setup the areas from the Edit Watch and Warning function.
You are probably entering the center latitude and longitude outside the valid mapping area. Make sure that you are entering Western Longitudes as negative numbers and Eastern Longitudes as positive. Also all coordinates must be entered in degrees and tenths of a degree not degrees and minutes.
If you are having trouble with the custom tracking charts colors then it is likely that you have a video driver bug. Make sure you obtain the latest video driver for your system.
You have probably entered latitude and longitude in degrees and minutes, make sure you enter it in degrees and tenths of a degree. To convert to tenths divide the minutes by 60. I.E. 29 degrees 30 minutes is 29.5 degrees.
The value of the index is determined by the strength of the onshore wind flow for that area. For a complete discussion of this topic see Flood Index Summary in the help text..
The SLOSH data is data compiled by the NWS to determine the potential extent of coastal flooding due to a storm surge. For a complete discussion of this topic, see SLOSH Summary.
PC Weather Products provides free support via our Web Site, EMAIL, US Mail and Telephone. In order to continue to provide support at no additional cost, please make sure to follow the order of support shown below.
Before contacting us, please check the FAQ
on our web site at http://www.pcwp.com
If the FAQ does not provide an answer, please contact PCWP via EMAIL
EMAIL support requests to: support@pcwp.com or from the web at http://www.pcwp.com
You can also reach us by voice
at: (770) 953-3506 (Monday - Friday) or by FAX at 770 952-2540.
You may also contact PC Weather Products by US Mail:
PC Weather Products
PO BOX 72723
Marietta, GA 30007-2723
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Inc., All Rights Reserved.