User's Guide

Table Of Contents
Managing Storm Tracks
FasTrac Millennium User’s Guide – May 2003
staying there through any map change until you move it again or delete it. You can also move the
storm track marquee around by clicking on it, holding down the mouse button, and dragging it to
the new location. The system holds in memory as many storm projections as you will ever use in
one severe-weather event.
4.5 Using PasTrac
The PasTrac feature lets you easily track the progress of a storm by comparing its current
position to its position in recent data. You can use PasTrac to automatically track either real-time
radar data or NEXRAD data, but the process is slightly different.
4.5.1 Auto-Tracking Real-Time Radar Data
Use the Radar > Log to File command to log your incoming data. You need to log radar data at
least five minutes before you can use PasTrac. Your radar should be in reflectivity mode five
minutes in advance. (This option should be active, by default.)
1. Zoom in for a close view of the storm (less than 25 miles). This will let you accurately depict
the storm.
2. Make sure you are in conventional mode (i.e., no NEXRAD product is in use).
3. Select Storm > Add Fan from the menu bar.
4. Display the Storm Track panel.
5. Click AutoTrac. The status panel on the upper-left portion of the display will indicate
Replaying archived data for AutoTrac. After a short period, the status panel indicates
Finished replay.
6. Carefully click on the storm’s position (where the storm was several minutes ago). Only click
once.
7. The status panel will indicate “Resweeping current radar for AutoTrac.” Upon completion,
carefully click only once on the storm’s new position for an instant auto-track.
4.5.2 Auto-Tracking NEXRAD Data
1. Show the product that you want to use (with the proper site selected) by using the
NEXRAD Main panel.
2. Zoom in to a close view of the storm (25 miles or less). This will let you accurately
depict the storm.
3. Select the Storm > Add > Fan command.
4. Invoke the Storm Track panel (if it is not already on screen).
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