This award provides funds for the equipment needed to receive and display near real-time meteorological data products through the UNIDATA network. The Wisconsin/PC-McIDAS (Man-Computer Interactive Data Access System) system will be used to support instruction and research activities in the undergraduate meteorology concentration at Central Michigan University, eventually replacing the current facsimile service. The ease of use and flexibility of the system will allow its integration into the core synoptic and dynamic meteorology courses intended for general education students. Weather information and forecasts are currently broadcast to the city and campus community through a local public broadcasting system and a student-organized campus TV station. Information products derived from color enhanced radar and satellite imagery from PC-McIDAS will be made available to these stations.
