NOAA Global Data Assimilation Test Data for Earth System Modeling

A test dataset from the National Centers for Environmental Prediction (NCEP) for the Unified Forecast System (UFS). The data is used to initialize the Global Forecast System (GFS) model and is generated by interpolating observations from surface stations, balloons, aircraft, buoys, radar, and satellites onto a three-dimensional grid. It supports running forward operators and variational data assimilation for evaluation and development purposes.

Use Cases

• Developing and testing variational data assimilation algorithms based on the described observation types.
• Evaluating forward operators for weather models using the gridded three-dimensional output data.
• Benchmarking the transition from GSI to JEDI data assimilation capabilities as mentioned in the description.
• Initializing and cycling the Global Forecast System (GFS) model for research forecasts.

Strengths

• Data originates from the authoritative National Centers for Environmental Prediction (NCEP).
• Integrates observations from multiple systems including satellites, radar, and surface stations.
• Supports a key operational system, the Unified Forecast System (UFS), for weather prediction.

Limitations

• Row count is unknown, which may limit suitability assessment.
• Column-level documentation is absent; field semantics must be inferred after download.
• Last update date is unknown; freshness unverified.

Provenance

Source

National Centers for Environmental Prediction (NCEP), NOAA

Collection Method

Gridded output from interpolating various observational data sources.

Time Range

Temporal coverage, or null.

Freshness

Update frequency or recency, or null.

Geography

Global