Visual Environment for Rich Data Interpretation (VERDI) program for environmental modeling systems
On this page:
- What is VERDI?
- What are the benefits of using VERDI?
- Who should use VERDI?
- How does VERDI work?
- Download Now
- Technical Contacts
- Related Links
What is the Visual Environment for Rich Data Interpretation (VERDI) Tool?
VERDI is a flexible, modular, Java-based program used for visualizing meteorology, emissions and air quality modeling data created by environmental modeling systems such as the Community Multi-scale Air Quality (CMAQ) model, the Weather Research and Forecasting (WRF) model, and the Model for Prediction Across Scales (MPAS) model.
Find out about other CMAQ resources for model users.
What are the benefits of using VERDI?
VERDI provides an easy way to visualize, animate, and analyze gridded data for environmental modeling systems. The software can be used interactively or via a scripting interface. Users can create several graphical outputs using VERDI, including tile plots, scatter plots, time series plots and vector plots. Additionally, VERDI provides capabilities for performing spatial and temporal analyses such as using the gridded data to determine deposition to watersheds. VERDI offers multiple output format options for creating publication quality graphics, text files and shapefiles.
Who should use VERDI?
VERDI is a community-based program primarily used by environmental modelers seeking to analyze meteorological or air quality data. Contributions of code for other applications are welcome.
How does VERDI work?
VERDI can be used on Windows, Linux and Mac operating systems using the Graphical User Interface (GUI). Users can select a data set, either their own or a sample set provided in the software, to input. The interface will list the variables available for analysis as well as available plot types. Users can create plots and modify plot features like titles and colors. They can also create new variables to plot using the formulas pane. These plots can be exported in a variety of formats suitable for publication. Most of the plotting capabilities are also available using the scripting language.
VERDI Input Features
For inputs from models, VERDI supports Models-3 Input/Output Applications Programming Interface (Models-3 I/O API), WRF netCDF (Network Common Data Form), CAMx binary (UAM-IV), and MPAS netCDF. For inputs from observations, VERDI supports American Standard Code for Information Interchange (ASCII), Models-3 I/O API, and NetCDF.
VERDI Output Features
- Map Projections – VERDI supports Lambert Conformal conic, Mercator, Universal Transverse Mercator, polar stereographic, and Voronoi meshes.
- Formulas – VERDI allows users to create formulas from model variables.
- Plots – VERDI allows users to create various types of plots including spatial tile, areal interpolation based on shapefiles, vertical cross section, time series, scatter, and 3-D contour.
- Overlays – VERDI outputs can include overlays of observations and wind vectors.
- GIS Layers - VERDI outputs can include GIS layers such as state boundaries, rivers, and roads.
- Save Formats – VERDI plots can be saved as raster images (e.g., PNG) of a specified size, vector images (EPS), or animated GIFs.
- Export – VERDI spatial outputs can be exported as shapefiles, and data can be exported as comma separated variables.
- Statistics – For displayed variables, VERDI can compute statistics such as mean, quartiles, variance, standard deviation, timesteps of minimum and maximum, hours of noncompliance, and many others.
- Additional features – Other VERDI output features include the abilities to display grid cell boundaries, specify spatial and temporal ranges, include a footer showing minimum and maximum values, and allow users to zoom in on areas of interest.
Download Now
Community Modeling and Analysis System: VERDI
Technical Contact
Daiwen Kang (kang.daiwen@epa.gov)