Interacting with the map
The map first displays precipitation estimates from the most recent dekad, but it is also meant to be a dynamic tool. Users may use the map viewer to:
- Display precipitation estimates from 11-20 Dec 2002 to the most recently available dekad (near-present)
- Animate precipitation estimates for any number of dekads
- Overlay any combination of the following levels of administrative boundaries: coast,
country, state/province, and district
- Zoom in to a more specific region of interest
Display data for a different date
The dekad for which data are currently displayed on the map is shown to the lower left
of the map. To display data from a different time period:
- Change the date in the text box above the map using the same format as the date
already shown. You must enter date ranges as dekads. For each month, there are three dekads: days 1-10, days 11-20, and day 21 to the last day of the month. For example, in April the dekads would be entered as: 1-10 April 2008, 11-20 April 2008, and 21-30 April 2008.
- Click the Redraw button to the left of the map (top of the three buttons).
Note that to the right of the date text box, there is a button that allows you to display the dekad immediately prior to the one currently being viewed (and if you are not viewing the most recent dekad, it will also display a button for the dekad after).
Animate data from multiple dekads
The map will display any number of dekads in animation. However, the time necessary to load the animation will
increase with the number of time steps included in the selection.
- In the date text box above the map, enter the starting and ending dekads of the time period
over which you would like to animate the data, separated by "to" (e.g., "11-20 Dec 2002 to 21-31 Dec
2003"). Or, if you enter "Sep 2004", for example, you will see an animation of the three dekads in that month. If you enter "Sep 2004 to Aug 2005", you will see an animation of all the dekads from the beginning of September 2004 through the end of August 2005.
- Click the "Redraw" button to the left of the map (top of the three buttons).
Overlay adminstrative boundaries
Any combination of the available overlay maps may be displayed.
- Using the "Optional Overlay Maps" table located on the right side of the map, select the
overlays that you would like to display. For example, if you select "districts" you will see district boundaries on the map.
- Click the Redraw button to the left of the map (top of the three buttons).
Zoom map in/out
There are two ways to zoom the map to different regions; a click-and-drag zoom window and the latitude/longitude text boxes. Note that the map cannot display areas outside of the region first shown on the interface
(i.e., 12.5°S - 9.5°N, 90°E - 155°E).
- Click-and-drag zoom window
- Click and drag a window on the map over the region of interest. The map will automatically zoom to that region when the mouse button is released.
- You can return to the full domain of the map at any time by clicking the Zoom Out button to the left of the map (middle of the three buttons).
- Specific lat/lon selection
There are four lat/lon text boxes underneath and to the left of the map.
- Change the values in the lat/lon text boxes to the limits of the region you would
like to display using the text format already shown.
- Click the Redraw button to the left of the map (top of the three buttons).