AI Journal
The AI Journal is an ongoing collection of experiments from Wet Dog Weather’s summer internship program. Our interns are testing how AI can accelerate weather dashboard development, streamline workflows, and improve rapid prototyping. Each entry documents the process, challenges, successes, and lessons learned from real development work using our platform.
Week 12 (Final Entries)
Refining the Experience
Antonio McElfresh • Week 12 • Claude Code
My final work focused on optimizing the applications for faster loading times and integrating Wet Dog Weather’s Meandair turbulence model.
Build with the End in Mind
Lex Hudson • Week 12 • ChatGPT
I wrapped up the internship by preparing FishCast for export, making final visual improvements, and adding a 3D lake wind tracker
Better Data Isn’t Always Better
Alicia Skiver-Palmer • Week 12 • ChatGPT
For my final week, I focused on improving Storm Pointer’s routing and safety features by enhancing chase navigation and adding current road condition information.
Week 11
A Better Plan Leads to Better Results
Lex Hudson • Week 11 • Claude Code
My plans include creating the first official FishCast demo video, preparing for Wet Dog Weather’s Intern Showcase presentation, and updating the FishCast Community page.
Looking Beyond the Finish Line
Alicia Skiver-Palmer • Week 11 • ChatGPT
My goal this week was to finalize my internship presentation, demonstrate the Storm Pointer dashboard and its use of Wet Dog Weather data, and plan future enhancements after the presentation.
Week 10
Fixing Bugs and Adding Polish
Lex Hudson • Week 10 • Claude Code
This week, my key objectives include fixing any remaining bugs before the first demo, continuing to refine the app’s features, and preparing it for export.
Presenting Is Part of the Project
Alicia Skiver-Palmer • Week 10 • ChatGPT • Cursor
The focus this week was finalizing the Storm Pointer dashboard by completing the remaining refinements and preparing the final presentation and demo.
Week 9
Context Leads to Better Results
Antonio McElfresh • Week 9 • Claude Code • Claude Design
My next step is to continue developing RuffRide Passenger and expand its core features.
The Value of Team Feedback
Lex Hudson • Week 9 • ChatGPT • Claude Code
My goals this week are to add more interactive, data-driven fishing features to the app and to research how to package it for beta testing.
The Challenge of Geospatial Data
Alicia Skiver-Palmer • Week 9 • ChatGPT • Cursor
Key objectives include refining the surface analysis layers, improving the alignment of surface analyses and progs, testing the dashboard during severe weather events, and completing the remaining weather layers.
Week 8
Understanding AI Capabilities
Lex Hudson • Week 8 • Claude Code
Current priorities included fixing remaining bugs, completing the app’s core functionality, and ensuring every feature was fully interactive.
Good Documentation Pays Off
Antonio McElfresh • Week 8 • Claude Code • Claude Design
This week, I will begin developing RuffRide Passenger and establish the foundation for its core features.
Simple Solutions Work Better
Alicia Skiver-Palmer • Week 8 • ChatGPT • Cursor
My goal was to continue improving the Storm Pointer: Chase Command Center by adding SPC forecast run selection, integrating GOES satellite imagery, and adding velocity and dual-pol radar products.
Week 7
Managing Time and Expectations
Lex Hudson • Week 7 • Claude Code
This week, my goal was to integrate Terrier reflectivity into FishCast, automate updates for the map and forecast pages, and add additional app features.
Wrapping Up the Pilot Experience
Antonio McElfresh • Week 7 • Claude Code • Claude Design
My goal was to finalize the pilot version of RuffRide and begin developing the companion dashboard.
Understanding the Data Behind the Display
Alicia Skiver-Palmer • Week 7 • ChatGPT • Cursor
Priorities this week included adding professional upper-air sounding analysis to the Storm Pointer: Chase Command Center by allowing users to view a Skew-T, hodograph, and atmospheric parameters anywhere on the map while continuing to improve the dashboard.
Week 6
Building Without Breaking
Alicia Skiver-Palmer • Week 6 • ChatGPT • Cursor
My goal this week was to continue developing the Storm Chaser dashboard by integrating Wet Dog Weather data, improving routing, enhancing SPC outlook interactions, and planning future navigation features.
One Task at a Time
Antonio McElfresh • Week 6 • Claude Code
This week, I will continue developing my aviation dashboard by integrating PIREPs, airport station plots (METAR data), flight-planning functionality, and Terrier radar products, and begin work on an iPadOS version in Xcode.
Specificity Is Key
Lex Hudson • Week 6 • Claude • Claude Code
This phase focuses on plotting Fishing Index variables on the map using Terrier data and developing the forecast pages with automatic updates.
Week 5
Building on a Strong Foundation
Antonio McElfresh • Week 5 • Claude Code • Claude Design
Key objectives include confirming the successful Terrier clone and integrating external flight-tracking and turbulence data into the project.
Overcoming Setup Challenges
Lex Hudson • Week 5 • Claude • Claude Design
My priorities are learning how to prompt Claude effectively in a new development environment, ensuring AI treats the project as a mobile app, getting a working data overlay on the map, and creating a timeline for the rest of the summer project.
Correct Integration Saves Time
Alicia Skiver-Palmer • Week 5 • ChatGPT • Cursor
My goal was to integrate Terrier data into the Storm Chaser dashboard, continue building its core functionality, implement the Chase Score using radar data, replace NOAA/SPC data with Terrier data where possible, and begin preparing the routing features.
Week 4
Start With The Big Picture
Lex Hudson • Week 4 • Claude Design
My focus is on continuing the interactive design of my fishing app while researching how meteorological conditions affect fishing.
Choosing a Clear Direction
Antonio McElfresh • Week 4 • Claude Code • Google AI
Priorities this week include creating the initial version of the dashboard, integrating and testing the data before implementing the UI, and brainstorming additional map layers.
Data Integration Is More Complex Than It Looks
Alicia Skiver-Palmer • Week 4 • ChatGPT • Cursor
This week, I will continue developing the Storm Chaser Command Dashboard by adding weather layers, integrating SPC products, and working toward displaying Terrier data correctly.
Week 3
Designing For Different Users
Antonio McElfresh • Week 3 • ChatGPT • Claude Code • Claude Design
This week marks the start of the summer-long project. My priorities are verifying the accuracy of the SkyGrade dashboard data and continuing to brainstorm ideas for the final project.
Designing Around User Needs
Lex Hudson • Week 3 • ChatGPT • Claude • Claude Design
Work this week included uploading my Smoke and AQI dashboard project to GitHub, outlining a fishing app design, and researching favorable fishing conditions through user feedback and online resources
Turning Data Into Decisions
Alicia Skiver-Palmer • Week 3 • ChatGPT
This week focused on designing a storm-chasing dashboard, identifying required data sources, researching storm chaser workflows, creating mockups, and developing an implementation plan.
Week 2
Seeking Advice Leads to Success
Lex Hudson • Week 2 • ChatGPT • Claude
My focus this week is troubleshooting TerrierWeb, integrating real-time AQI and smoke data on a local map, and using AI tools to refine and complete the dashboard.
Organization Improves AI Results
Antonio McElfresh • Week 2 • ChatGPT • Claude Code • Claude Design
My goal is to design and refine the dashboard UI, implement core and niche-specific features, and create a short demo video showcasing the final product.
Making Data Actionable
Alicia Skiver-Palmer • Week 2 • ChatGPT • Replit • Figma
I continue building out my athlete dashboard by adding trail analysis functionality, connecting environmental data to specific trails, refining the map controls, and updating the timeline.
Week 1
Staying Productive Through Roadblocks
Lex Hudson • Week 1 • ChatGPT • Microsoft Copilot
I want to create an outline for my air quality dashboard, evaluate AI tools that could support development, learn the basics of GitHub, identify my data sources and visualization approach, and establish a clear workflow for the project.
The Importance of Staying Organized
Antonio McElfresh • Week 1 • ChatGPT • Claude Code
I plan to establish an AI-assisted workflow, implement a reliable documentation process, successfully set up and validate a Terrier dashboard with live data, and build a basic smoke/AQI dashboard to serve as the foundation for future development and UI design.
Building Knowledge Before Making Changes
Alicia Skiver-Palmer • Week 1 • ChatGPT • Replit
I will gain an understanding of the Terrier framework, successfully integrate the TerrierWeb repo into Replit, establish a working web app showcasing Terrier’s features, and begin designing an athlete-focused dashboard.
Have a project in mind?
Our weather data platform handles everything from standard datasets to custom data, whether purchased or generated in-house. Customers can have their own Boxer stack with access to Terrier front-end tools, and we provide full support for processing, transforming, and delivering weather information efficiently. Customization is where our expertise shines, helping you get exactly the weather insights you need. Let’s work together to bring your next weather data project to life!