Storm.plot_models

Storm.plot_models(forecast=None, plot_btk=False, domain='dynamic', ax=None, cartopy_proj=None, save_path=None, **kwargs)[source]

Creates a plot of operational model forecast tracks.

Parameters

  • forecast (datetime.datetime, optional) – Datetime object representing the forecast initialization. If None (default), fetches the latest forecast.

  • plot_btk (bool, optional) – If True, Best Track will be plotted alongside operational forecast models. Default is False.

  • domain (str) – Domain for the plot. Default is “dynamic”. Please refer to Map Domain Options for available domain options.

  • ax (axes) – Instance of axes to plot on. If none, one will be generated. Default is none.

  • cartopy_proj (ccrs) – Instance of a cartopy projection to use. If none, one will be generated. Default is none.

  • save_path (str) – Relative or full path of directory to save the image in. If none, image will not be saved.

Other Parameters

  • models (dict) – Dictionary with key = model name (case-insensitive) and value = model color. Scroll below for available model names.

  • prop (dict) – Customization properties of forecast lines. Scroll below for available options.

  • map_prop (dict) – Customization properties of Cartopy map. Please refer to Map prop for available options.

Returns

ax – Instance of axes containing the plot is returned.

Notes

Note

  1. For years before the HMON model was available, the HMON key instead defaults to the old GFDL model.

  2. For storms in the JTWC area of responsibility, the NHC key defaults to JTWC.

The following model names are available as keys in the “models” dict. These names are case-insensitive. To avoid plotting any of these models, set the value to None instead of a color (e.g., models = {'gfs':None} or models = {'GFS':None}).

Model Acronym

Full Model Name

CMC

Canadian Meteorological Centre (CMC)

GFS

Global Forecast System (GFS)

UKM

UK Met Office (UKMET)

ECM

European Centre for Medium-range Weather Forecasts (ECMWF)

HMON

Hurricanes in a Multi-scale Ocean-coupled Non-hydrostatic Model (HMON)

HWRF

Hurricane Weather Research and Forecast (HWRF)

HAFSA

Hurricane Analysis and Forecast System A (HAFS-A)

HAFSB

Hurricane Analysis and Forecast System B (HAFS-B)

NHC

National Hurricane Center (NHC)

The following properties are available for customizing forecast model tracks, via prop.

Property

Description

linewidth

Line width of forecast model track. Default is 2.5.

marker

Marker type for forecast hours. Options are ‘label’ (default), ‘dot’ or None.

marker_hours

List of forecast hours to mark. Default is [24,48,72,96,120,144,168].