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Global Forecast System (GFS) 0.5 Degree

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The Global Forecast System (GFS) is a weather forecast model produced by the National Centers for Environmental Prediction (NCEP). Dozens of atmospheric and land-soil variables are available through this dataset, from temperatures, winds, and precipitation to soil moisture and atmospheric ozone concentration. The entire globe is covered by the GFS at a base horizontal resolution of 18 miles (28 kilometers) between grid points, which is used by the operational forecasters who predict weather out to 16 days in the future. Horizontal resolution drops to 44 miles (70 kilometers) between grid point for forecasts between one week and two weeks. The GFS model is a coupled model, composed of four separate models (an atmosphere model, an ocean model, a land/soil model, and a sea ice model), which work together to provide an accurate picture of weather conditions. Changes are regularly made to the GFS model to improve its performance and forecast accuracy. This dataset is run four times daily at 00z, 06z, 12z and 18z out to 192 hours with a 0.5 degree horizontal resolution and a 3 hour temporal resolution.
  • Cite as: Global Forecast System (GFS) 0.5 Degree, (2006): NOAA Environmental Modeling Center. [indicated subset used]. NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information. NCEI DSI 6182. [access date].
  • NCEI DSI 6182
  • gov.noaa.ncdc:C00634
C00634
XML
Download Data
Distribution Formats
  • GRIB2 (Version: 2)
    • File Specification: http://www.nco.ncep.noaa.gov/pmb/docs/grib2/
    • File Compression:
Ordering InstructionsContact NCEI for other distribution options and instructions.
DistributorNOAA 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
Dataset Point of Contact DOC/NOAA/NESDIS/NCEI > National Centers for Environmental Information, NESDIS, NOAA, U.S. Department of Commerce
nomads.ncdc@noaa.gov
Coverage Description
Time Period2006-02-01 to Present
Spatial Bounding Box Coordinates
N: 90.0
S: -90.0
E: 180.0
W: -180.0
Spatial Coverage Map
General Documentation
Publication Dates
  • publication: 2006-02-01
Data Presentation Form Digital model - multi-dimensional digital representation of a feature, process, etc.
Dataset Progress StatusOngoing - data is continually being updated
Data Update Frequency Data update frequency not available
PurposeTo provide mesoscale guidance to public and private sector meteorologists.
Dataset Citation
  • Cite as: Global Forecast System (GFS) 0.5 Degree, (2006): NOAA Environmental Modeling Center. [indicated subset used]. NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information. NCEI DSI 6182. [access date].
Cited Authors
Originators
Publishers
Theme keywordsGlobal Change Master Directory (GCMD) Science Keywords
  • Earth Science > Atmosphere > Altitude > Geopotential Height
  • Earth Science > Atmosphere > Atmospheric Winds > Upper Level Winds > Boundary Layer Winds
  • Earth Science > Atmosphere > Atmospheric Temperature > Upper Air Temperature > Boundary Layer Temperature
  • Earth Science > Atmosphere > Altitude > Tropopause
  • Earth Science > Atmosphere > Atmospheric Pressure > Atmospheric Pressure Measurements
  • Earth Science > Atmosphere > Atmospheric Pressure > Pressure Thickness
  • Earth Science > Atmosphere > Atmospheric Pressure > Sea Level Pressure
  • Earth Science > Atmosphere > Atmospheric Pressure > Surface Pressure
  • Earth Science > Land Surface > Land Use/Land Cover
  • Earth Science > Land Surface > Soils > Soil Temperature
  • Earth Science > Land Surface > Soils > Soil Moisture/Water Content
  • Earth Science > Oceans > Ocean Temperature > Sea Surface Temperature
  • Earth Science > Atmosphere > Atmospheric Radiation > Albedo
  • Earth Science > Atmosphere > Atmospheric Radiation > Incoming Solar Radiation
  • Earth Science > Atmosphere > Atmospheric Radiation > Longwave Radiation
  • Earth Science > Atmosphere > Atmospheric Radiation > Outgoing Longwave Radiation
  • Earth Science > Atmosphere > Atmospheric Radiation > Shortwave Radiation
  • Earth Science > Atmosphere > Atmospheric Radiation > Solar Radiation
  • Earth Science > Atmosphere > Atmospheric Temperature > Surface Temperature > Air Temperature
  • Earth Science > Atmosphere > Atmospheric Temperature > Atmospheric Stability
  • Earth Science > Atmosphere > Atmospheric Temperature > Surface Temperature > Dew Point Temperature
  • Earth Science > Atmosphere > Atmospheric Temperature > Surface Temperature > Potential Temperature
  • Earth Science > Atmosphere > Atmospheric Temperature > Surface Temperature > Skin Temperature
  • Earth Science > Atmosphere > Atmospheric Temperature > Surface Temperature
  • Earth Science > Atmosphere > Atmospheric Temperature > Upper Air Temperature
  • Earth Science > Atmosphere > Atmospheric Temperature > Upper Air Temperature > Dew Point Temperature
  • Earth Science > Atmosphere > Atmospheric Water Vapor > Water Vapor Indicators > Dew Point Temperature
  • Earth Science > Atmosphere > Atmospheric Water Vapor > Water Vapor Processes > Evaporation
  • Earth Science > Atmosphere > Atmospheric Water Vapor > Water Vapor Indicators > Humidity
  • Earth Science > Atmosphere > Atmospheric Water Vapor > Water Vapor Indicators > Total Precipitable Water
  • Earth Science > Atmosphere > Atmospheric Water Vapor > Water Vapor Indicators > Water Vapor
  • Earth Science > Atmosphere > Atmospheric Water Vapor > Water Vapor Profiles
  • Earth Science > Atmosphere > Atmospheric Winds > Upper Level Winds > Boundary Layer Winds
  • Earth Science > Atmosphere > Atmospheric Winds > Wind Dynamics > Convection
  • Earth Science > Atmosphere > Atmospheric Winds > Surface Winds
  • Earth Science > Atmosphere > Atmospheric Winds > Upper Level Winds
  • Earth Science > Atmosphere > Atmospheric Winds > Wind Dynamics > Vertical Wind Velocity/Speed
  • Earth Science > Atmosphere > Atmospheric Winds > Wind Dynamics > Vorticity
  • Earth Science > Atmosphere > Atmospheric Winds > Wind Profiles
  • Earth Science > Atmosphere > Atmospheric Winds > Wind Dynamics > Wind Shear
  • Earth Science > Atmosphere > Precipitation > Liquid Precipitation > Rain > Freezing Rain
  • Earth Science > Atmosphere > Precipitation > Precipitation Amount
  • Earth Science > Atmosphere > Precipitation > Precipitation Rate
  • Earth Science > Atmosphere > Precipitation > Liquid Precipitation > Rain
  • Earth Science > Atmosphere > Precipitation > Solid Precipitation > Ice Pellets > Sleet
  • Earth Science > Atmosphere > Precipitation > Solid Precipitation > Snow
  • Earth Science > Terrestrial Hydrosphere > Snow/Ice > Albedo
  • Earth Science > Terrestrial Hydrosphere > Snow/Ice > Snow Cover
  • Earth Science > Terrestrial Hydrosphere > Snow/Ice > Snow Depth
  • Earth Science > Oceans > Sea Ice > Sea Ice Concentration
  • Earth Science > Land Surface > Surface Radiative Properties > Albedo
  • Earth Science > Land Surface > Land Use/Land Cover > Land Use/Land Cover Classification > Vegetation Index
  • Earth Science > Land Surface > Soils > Soil Moisture/Water Content
  • Earth Science > Land Surface > Soils > Soil Temperature
  • Earth Science > Oceans > Ocean Temperature > Sea Surface Temperature
Data Center keywordsGlobal Change Master Directory (GCMD) Data Center Keywords
  • DOC/NOAA/NESDIS/NCDC > National Climatic Data Center, NESDIS, NOAA, U.S. Department of Commerce
  • DOC/NOAA/NESDIS/NCEI > National Centers for Environmental Information, NESDIS, NOAA, U.S. Department of Commerce
  • 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
Platform keywordsGlobal Change Master Directory (GCMD) Platform Keywords
  • NCEP-GFS > NCEP Global Forecast System
Place keywordsGlobal Change Master Directory (GCMD) Location Keywords
  • Geographic Region > Global
Project keywordsGlobal Change Master Directory (GCMD) Project Keywords
  • NOMADS > The NOAA Operational Model Archive and Distribution System
Data Resolution keywordsGlobal Change Master Directory (GCMD) Horizontal Data Resolution Keywords
  • 50 km - < 100 km or approximately .5 degree - < 1 degree
Stratum keywordsGlobal Change Master Directory (GCMD) Location Keywords
  • Vertical Location > Boundary Layer
  • Vertical Location > Land Surface
  • Vertical Location > Sea Surface
  • Vertical Location > Troposphere
  • Vertical Location > Stratosphere
Use Constraints
  • Cite as: Global Forecast System (GFS) 0.5 Degree, (2006): NOAA Environmental Modeling Center. [indicated subset used]. NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information. NCEI DSI 6182. [access date].
  • 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.
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: 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: 2025-03-12
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