Global Weather Forecast Grid from NCEP GFS Model

Forecasts from the NCEP Global Forecast System model provide global weather predictions on a 1-degree latitude/longitude grid. Model runs are initiated four times daily at 0, 6, 12, and 18Z, producing analysis and forecasts every 3 hours for up to 180 hours. The dataset was published by SCIOPS and last updated in December 2015.

Use Cases

• Predict surface temperature using the mandatory pressure level data across 10 vertical levels.
• Analyze wind patterns by comparing forecast outputs at 3-hour intervals across the 181x360 point grid.
• Train models to forecast precipitation by leveraging the sequential time-series data from multiple daily model runs.
• Validate climate models against the historical forecast data generated at 0, 6, 12, and 18Z.
• Study atmospheric pressure layers using the data from the 1000 to 100 hPa mandatory pressure levels.

Strengths

• Provides forecasts at a 3-hour temporal resolution out to 7.5 days.
• Covers the entire globe with a 181 by 360 point horizontal grid.
• Includes vertical data across 10 mandatory pressure levels from 1000 to 100 hPa.

Limitations

• Data freshness is limited, with the last update recorded in 2015.
• Specific sample size, file formats, and data volume are unknown.
• The license terms for use and redistribution are not provided.

Provenance

Source

NCEP Global Forecast System (GFS) model.

Collection Method

Numerical weather prediction model outputs.

Time Range

Forecasts cover a 180-hour (7.5-day) period from each model run.

Freshness

Model runs are generated four times daily, but the dataset itself was last updated in 2015.

Geography

Global coverage on a latitude/longitude grid.