Dataset Overview | National Centers for Environmental Information (NCEI)

UnRestricted Mesoscale Analysis (URMA)

URMA

URMA Temperature Analysis and Observations 20241031

The UnRestricted Mesoscale Analysis (URMA) product is a high-spatial and temporal resolution analysis/assimilation system for sensible weather elements. Its main component is the NCEP/EMC Gridpoint Statistical Interpolation (GSI) system applied in two-dimensional variational mode to assimilate conventional and satellite-derived observations. URMA serves as a companion system to the Real-Time Mesoscale Analysis (RTMA). URMA runs 6 hours past analysis time in order to capture late-arriving observations and is used for verification and calibration of the National Blend of Models (NBM). URMA analyses are available on four output grids: CONUS, Alaska, Hawaii, and Puerto Rico. Output files are grib2 datasets. Currently, the CONUS and Hawaii analyses are at 2.5 km resolution, Puerto Rico is at 1.25 km resolution, and Alaska is at 3.0 km resolution. Each grid has its own hourly analysis file, and each variable is a message within the grib2 file. Variables include: Elevation, Station Pressure, 2-m Temperature, 2-m Dew Point, 10-m Wind Speed, Wind Direction, Wind Gust, 2-m Specific Humidity, Visibility, Cloud Cover, Cloud Ceiling Height, Minimum temperature (20Z analysis only, all grids), Maximum temperature (08Z analysis only, all grids), and Significant Wave Height.

Dataset Citation

Cite as: NOAA National Centers for Environmental Prediction. (2026). UnRestricted Mesoscale Analysis (URMA). [indicate subset used]. NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information. https://doi.org/TBD. Accessed [date].

Dataset Identifiers

DSI 2058_01
NCEI Metadata ID: gov.noaa.ncdc:C01581
doi:10.7289/TBD

ISO 19115-2 Metadata

gov.noaa.ncdc:C01581

Full Text · XML

Download Data	NCEI Direct Download (Dataset Files) (download) Direct download for the dataset. URMA AWS S3 Explorer (Region: us-east-1) (download) Browse view to explore the S3 bucket for URMA dataset hosted through NODD. Data files are identical between NCEI and NODD access points.
Distribution Formats	GRIB 2
Ordering Instructions	Contact NCEI for other distribution options and instructions.
Distributor	NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information ncei.info@noaa.gov
Dataset Point of Contact	Customer Engagement Branch NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information 1-828-271-4800 ncei.orders@noaa.gov

Time Period	2014-01-28 to Present (time interval: 1-hour)
Spatial Bounding Box Coordinates	West: -161.6 East: -59.0 South: 16.8 North: 75.4 West: -138.4 East: -59.0 South: 19.2 North: 57.1 West: -161.6 East: -153.8 South: 18.0 North: 23.1 West: -68.2 East: -63.9 South: 16.8 North: 19.8 West: -150.2 East: -93.6 South: 40.5 North: 75.4
Spatial Coverage Map

General Documentation	NCEI Dataset Landing Page Landing page for the dataset. NCEI Direct Download (Documentation Files) Direct download for the documentation. RTMA/URMA/RTMA-RU Environmental Modeling Center (EMC) Environmental Modeling Center (EMC) RTMA/URMA/RTMA-RU information. Registry of Open Data on AWS Information on AWS data access. What are GRIB files and how can I read them How to read GRIB files.
Associated Resources	Operational Models Encyclopedia for RTMA-URMA Operational Models Encyclopedia for RTMA-URMA

Publication Dates	publication: 2026-05-29
Edition	Version 1
Data Presentation Form	Digital model - multi-dimensional digital representation of a feature, process, etc.
Dataset Progress Status	Ongoing - data is continually being updated
Data Update Frequency	Daily
Purpose	These data are available to the public for a wide variety of uses including scientific research and analysis.

Dataset Citation	Cite as: NOAA National Centers for Environmental Prediction. (2026). UnRestricted Mesoscale Analysis (URMA). [indicate subset used]. NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information. https://doi.org/TBD. Accessed [date].
Cited Authors	NOAA National Centers for Environmental Prediction
Principal Investigators	Pondeca, Manuel NOAA National Centers for Environmental Prediction Lin, Ying NOAA National Centers for Environmental Prediction Morris, Matthew NOAA National Centers for Environmental Prediction Du, Jun NOAA National Centers for Environmental Prediction
Publishers	NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information

Theme keywords	Global Change Master Directory (GCMD) Science Keywords Earth Science > Atmosphere > Atmospheric Winds > Wind Speed Earth Science > Atmosphere > Atmospheric Pressure > Surface Pressure Earth Science > Atmosphere > Atmospheric Water Vapor > Water Vapor Indicators > Humidity Earth Science > Atmosphere > Clouds Earth Science > Atmosphere > Clouds > Cloud Properties > Cloud Height Earth Science > Oceans > Ocean Waves > Wave Height Earth Science > Atmosphere > Atmospheric Temperature > Surface Temperature > Air Temperature Earth Science > Atmosphere > Atmospheric Temperature > Surface Temperature > Dew Point Temperature Earth Science > Atmosphere > Clouds > Cloud Properties > Cloud Ceiling Earth Science > Atmosphere > Atmospheric Temperature > Surface Temperature > Maximum/Minimum Temperature Earth Science > Atmosphere > Air Quality > Visibility
Data Center keywords	Global Change Master Directory (GCMD) Data Center Keywords DOC/NOAA/NWS/NCEP > National Centers for Environmental Prediction, National Weather Service, NOAA, U.S. Department of Commerce DOC/NOAA/NWS/NCEP/EMC > Environmental Modeling Center, National Centers for Environmental Prediction, National Weather Service, NOAA, U.S. Department of Commerce
Place keywords	Global Change Master Directory (GCMD) Location Keywords Continent > North America > United States Of America > Hawaii Continent > North America > United States Of America > Alaska Ocean > Atlantic Ocean > North Atlantic Ocean > Caribbean Sea > Puerto Rico Continent > North America > United States Of America
Data Resolution keywords	Global Change Master Directory (GCMD) Horizontal Data Resolution Keywords 1 km - < 10 km or approximately .01 degree - < .09 degree Global Change Master Directory (GCMD) Temporal Data Resolution Keywords Hourly - < Daily

Use Constraints	Use liability: NOAA and NCEI cannot provide any warranty as to the accuracy, reliability, or completeness of furnished data. Users assume responsibility to determine the usability of these data. The user is responsible for the results of any application of this data for other than its intended purpose Cite as: NOAA National Centers for Environmental Prediction. (2026). UnRestricted Mesoscale Analysis (URMA). [indicate subset used]. NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information. https://doi.org/TBD. Accessed [date].
Data License	These data were produced by NOAA and are not subject to copyright protection in the United States. NOAA waives any potential copyright and related rights in these data worldwide through the Creative Commons Zero 1.0 Universal Public Domain Dedication (CC0-1.0). SPDX License: Creative Commons Zero v1.0 Universal (CC0-1.0)
Access Constraints	Distribution liability: NOAA and NCEI make no warranty, expressed or implied, regarding these data, nor does the fact of distribution constitute such a warranty. NOAA and NCEI cannot assume liability for any damages caused by any errors or omissions in these data. If appropriate, NCEI can only certify that the data it distributes are an authentic copy of the records that were accepted for inclusion in the NCEI archives.
Fees	In most cases, electronic downloads of the data are free. However, fees may apply for custom orders, data certifications, copies of analog materials, and data distribution on physical media.

Lineage information for: dataset
Lineage Statement	This dataset was produced by the National Centers for Environmental Prediction (NCEP) and is archived by the NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information (NCEI).

Lineage information for: repository
Processing Steps	2015-04-22T00:00:00 - NOAA created the National Centers for Environmental Information (NCEI) by merging NOAA's National Climatic Data Center (NCDC), National Geophysical Data Center (NGDC), and National Oceanographic Data Center (NODC), including the National Coastal Data Development Center (NCDDC), per the Consolidated and Further Continuing Appropriations Act, 2015, Public Law 113-235. NCEI launched publicly on April 22, 2015.

Lineage information for: repository

Processing Steps

2015-04-22T00:00:00 - NOAA created the National Centers for Environmental Information (NCEI) by merging NOAA's National Climatic Data Center (NCDC), National Geophysical Data Center (NGDC), and National Oceanographic Data Center (NODC), including the National Coastal Data Development Center (NCDDC), per the Consolidated and Further Continuing Appropriations Act, 2015, Public Law 113-235. NCEI launched publicly on April 22, 2015.

Last Modified: 2026-08-09T14:33:13
For questions about the information on this page, please email: ncei.info@noaa.gov

UnRestricted Mesoscale Analysis (URMA)

URMA

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