NCEI provides access to the forecast data generated by the Global Forecast System (GFS) model, as well historical GFS data.
The GFS is a National Centers for Environmental Prediction (NCEP) weather forecast model that generates data for dozens of atmospheric and land-soil variables, including temperatures, winds, precipitation, soil moisture, and atmospheric ozone concentration.
The system couples four separate models (atmosphere, ocean model, land/soil model, and sea ice) that work together to accurately depict weather conditions.
How do I access GFS data?
Recent, High Resolution Data
The NOAA Open Data Dissemination (NODD) program provides gridded high resolution (0.25°- and 0.5°) analysis and forecast data in a trailing 30-day window.
Long-term, Low Resolution Data
NCEI provides long-term, lower resolution gridded analysis and forecast data from GFS.
What GFS datasets are available?
NODD Datasets
The NODD provides 0.25°- and 0.5° analysis and forecast data. See the table and GFS Parameter Sets for more information.
Analysis
|
Grid/Scale |
Period of Record |
Model Cycle |
Output Timestep |
Parameter Sets |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
0.25° |
Trailing 30 days |
4/day: 00, 06, 12, 18UTC |
1/cycle |
pgrb2, pgrb2b |
|
0.5° |
Trailing 30 days |
4/day: 00, 06, 12, 18UTC |
1/cycle |
pgrb2, pgrb2b |
Forecasts
|
Grid/Scale |
Period of Record |
Model Cycle |
Output Timestep |
Parameter Sets |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
0.25° |
Trailing 30 days |
4/day: 00, 06, 12, 18UTC |
3-hourly, +000 to +384 hours |
pgrb2, pgrb2b, gtg |
|
0.5° |
Trailing 30 days |
4/day: 00, 06, 12, 18UTC |
3-hourly, +000 to +384 |
pgrb2, pgrb2b, pgrb2full |
NCEI Datasets
NCEI provides access to the following gridded analysis and forecast data from GFS:
| Period of Record | Grid/Scale | Model Cycle | Output Timestep | Data Access Links |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 01Jan2007–Present | 4/day: 00, 06, 12, 18UTC | +00, (+03, +06 precipitation fields) | ||
| 02Mar2004–Present | 4/day: 00, 06, 12, 18UTC | +00, (+03, +06 precipitation fields) |
| Period of Record | Grid/Scale | Model Cycle | Output Timestep | Data Access Links |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10Oct2006–Present (approx. two years to present online) | 4/day: 00, 06, 12, 18UTC | 3-hourly, +000 to +192 hours | ||
| 15Feb2005–Present (approx. six months to present online) | 4/day: 00, 06, 12, 18UTC | 3-hourly, +000 to +240 hours; 12-hourly, +252 to +384 |
Specifications
The model is constantly evolving, and regularly adjusted to improve performance and forecast accuracy. GFS is a global model with a base horizontal resolution of 18 miles (28 kilometers) between grid points.
Temporal resolution covers analysis and forecasts out to 16 days. Horizontal resolution drops to 44 miles (70 kilometers) between grid points for forecasts between one week and two weeks.
