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Weather Models

NCEP Central Operations' Model Analyses and Guidance webpage features an easy-to-use interface providing access to all NCEP products, including model guidance, observations and analyses, and tropical guidance across several user-selectable domains. The use of Flash-based technology in image loops provides fast loading along with the ability to zoom in and out of static images. Please refer to the sites listed above to view the latest guidance from NCEP.

For those unable to access loops utilizing Flash-based technology, the image loops below for the GFS and WRF-NAM models are available.


GFS Model

The GFS (Global Forecast System) model produces forecasts out to 16 days, four times per day. The loop time steps are 6 hours from analysis time to 240 hours (10 days), then change to 12-hour time steps out to 384 hours (16 days). Map view options include NAmer (North American) and NPacific (North Pacfic).

Displayed Model Fields
GFS Model Analysis Times (UTC)
00 06 12 18
Mean SLP/Pcpn
850 MB Heights/PW/Winds
700 MB Heights/Rel Humidity/Winds
500 MB Heights/Vorticity/Winds
250 MB Heights/Isotachs/Winds


WRF-NAM Model

The WRF-NAM model (Weather and Research Forecast Model - North American Mesoscale) produces forecasts out to 3.5 days, four times per day. The loop time steps are 3 hours from analysis time to 84 hours. Map view options include NAmer (North American) and NPacific (North Pacfic).

Displayed Model Fields
WRF-NAM Model Analysis Time (UTC)
00 06 12 18
Mean SLP/Thickness/Pcpn
850 MB Heights/PW/Winds
700 MB Heights/Rel Humidity/Winds
500 MB Heights/Vorticity/Winds
250 MB Heights/Isotachs/Winds


WRF-NAM Hi-Res Model

The WRF-NAM Hi-Res model (Weather and Research Forecast Model - North American Mesoscale) produces forecasts out to 1.5 days, four times per day. The loop time steps are 3 hours from analysis time to 36 hours. Map view options include CONUS (Contiguous United States).

Displayed Model Fields
WRF-NAM Hi-Res Model Analysis Time (UTC)
00 06 12 18
Mean SLP/Thickness/Pcpn
850 MB Heights/PW/Winds
700 MB Heights/Rel Humidity/Winds
500 MB Heights/Vorticity/Winds
250 MB Heights/Isotachs/Winds


Other Sources of Model Guidance

Model
Source
NCEP Model Analyses and Guidance 
 NCEP
WRF-NAM 
 NCEP, ESRL, NCAR
GFS 
 NCEP, ESRL, FNMOC, NCAR
MM5 
 CANSAC
NAVGEM (Navy FNMOC) 
 Eastern Pacific, North America
ECMWF 
 Penn State - 00 UTC run (hours 24-240)
 
Penn State - 12 UTC run (hours 24-240)
Canadian GEM (0-144 hrs, Global) 
 Meteorological Service of Canada
Canadian GEM (0-48 hrs, Regional) 
 Meteorological Service of Canada
Canadian Ensembles 
 Meteorological Service of Canada
NCEP Ensembles 
 NCEP, ESRL
NAEFS 
 NCEP
Short Range Ensemble (SREF) 
 NCEP, NCEP/EMC, SPC
RAP   NCEP
High Res Rapid Refresh (HRRR) 
 NCEP, ESRL
Flow-following finite-volume 
Icosahedral Model (FIM) 
 ESRL
Miscellaneous 
Precipitation Maps 
 GFS 16-Day Precipitation Outlook (Temperature)

Model Output Statistics Forecast Products (Meteorological Development Lab)

Short-range GFS MOS (MAV)
Extended-range GFS MOS (MEX)
NAM MOS (MET)
Ensemble MOS

Meteorological Development Lab Current MOS Forecast Products Main Page