Authors: Rabi Alaya – University of Iowa
Title: Browser-Native Radar Visualization: Three Open Web Tools for NEXRAD and MRMS Data Exploration
Presentation Type: Poster Presentation
Abstract: Radar observations are foundational to hydrological forecasting, yet accessing and visualizing raw radar data typically requires desktop GIS software or Python scripting environments, creating friction for researchers who need quick and interactive access to these datasets. We present three browser-based tools that bring NEXRAD and MRMS data directly into the web without any installation or login required.
Level II Browser: decodes raw NEXRAD Level II archive files entirely client-side, rendering all 7 radar moments as interactive overlays on Google Maps using WebGL. MRMS Browser: provides animated visualization of 50+ NOAA MRMS products fetched, decoded, and visualized directly from NOAA’s public MRMS AWS S3 archive. NextNEXRAD: for analyzing gaps in the existing NEXRAD network and evaluating potential new radar placements.
Users place hypothetical radars on a map and instantly visualize coverage. The application generates basin-level coverage reports showing what percentage of a USGS stream gauge basin’s area and population is observed by existing NEXRAD, by user-placed radars, or remains uncovered. Users can answer questions like ‘If I place a new radar here, how many additional people in this watershed gain coverage?’