NCEP North American Model data provides atmospheric analysis and forecasts for Alaska on the AWIPS 216 (V) grid. Model runs are produced twice daily at 0Z and 12Z, generating forecasts every 3 hours up to 60 hours ahead. The dataset was last updated by organization SCIOPS in December 2015.
Use Cases
- Validate forecast accuracy by comparing predicted pressure levels (1000 to 50 hPa) against observed soundings.
- Analyze temporal patterns of atmospheric variables across the 139 by 107 point horizontal grid at 3-hour intervals.
- Study spatial weather features over Alaska using the Polar Stereographic projection coordinates.
- Assimilate model output from the 0Z and 12Z runs into higher-resolution local forecasting systems.
Strengths
- Forecasts provided at a 3-hour temporal resolution out to 60 hours.
- Grid defined with 139 by 107 horizontal points covering Alaska.
- Vertical coverage spans pressure levels from 1000 to 50 hPa.
Limitations
- Data recency is limited, with the last update recorded in 2015.
- Horizontal resolution of 45.0 km may be coarse for localized microclimate studies.
- Specific data variables and column names are not provided in the description.
Provenance
- Source
- NCEP (National Centers for Environmental Prediction) North American Model, distributed via NASA Earthdata.
- Collection Method
- Numerical weather prediction model output post-processed to the AWIPS 216 (V) grid.
- Time Range
- Forecasts generated every 3 hours from analysis time out to 60 hours.
- Freshness
- Model runs are generated at 0Z and 12Z daily, but platform metadata indicates last update was 2015-12-02.
- Geography
- Alaska, using a Polar Stereographic projection grid.