Guided analysis of hurricane trends using statistical processes integrated with interactive parallel coordinates

Chad A. Steed, J. Edward Swan, T. J. Jankun-Kelly, Patrick J. Fitzpatrick

Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceedingConference contributionpeer-review

29 Scopus citations

Abstract

This paper demonstrates the promise of augmenting interactive multivariate representations with information from statistical processes in the domain of weather data analysis. Statistical regression, correlation analysis, and descriptive statistical calculations are integrated via graphical indicators into an enhanced parallel coordinates system, called the Multidimensional Data eXplorer (MDX). These statistical indicators, which highlight significant associations in the data, are complemented with interactive visual analysis capabilities. The resulting system allows a smooth, interactive, and highly visual workflow. The system's utility is demonstrated with an extensive hurricane climate study that was conducted by a hurricane expert. In the study, the expert used a new data set of environmental weather data, composed of 28 independent variables, to predict annual hurricane activity. MDX shows the Atlantic Meridional Mode increases the explained variance of hurricane seasonal activity by 7-15% and removes less significant variables used in earlier studies. The findings and feedback from the expert (1) validate the utility of the data set for hurricane prediction, and (2) indicate that the integration of statistical processes with interactive parallel coordinates, as implemented in MDX, addresses both deficiencies in traditional weather data analysis and exhibits some of the expected benefits of visual data analysis.

Original languageEnglish
Title of host publicationVAST 09 - IEEE Symposium on Visual Analytics Science and Technology, Proceedings
Pages19-26
Number of pages8
DOIs
StatePublished - 2009
Externally publishedYes
EventVAST 09 - IEEE Symposium on Visual Analytics Science and Technology - Atlantic City, NJ, United States
Duration: Oct 12 2009Oct 13 2009

Publication series

NameVAST 09 - IEEE Symposium on Visual Analytics Science and Technology, Proceedings

Conference

ConferenceVAST 09 - IEEE Symposium on Visual Analytics Science and Technology
Country/TerritoryUnited States
CityAtlantic City, NJ
Period10/12/0910/13/09

Keywords

  • Climate study
  • Correlation
  • Interaction
  • Multivariate data
  • Regression
  • Statistical analysis
  • Visual analytics

Fingerprint

Dive into the research topics of 'Guided analysis of hurricane trends using statistical processes integrated with interactive parallel coordinates'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.

Cite this