updating
NOAA GEFS forecast, 35 day, 0.5 degree, virtual
| Spatial domain | Global |
| Spatial resolution | 0.5 degrees (~40km) |
| Time domain | Forecasts initialized 2020-10-01 00:00:00 UTC to Present |
| Time resolution | Forecasts initialized every 24 hours |
| Forecast domain | Forecast lead time 0-840 hours ahead |
| Forecast resolution | Forecast step 0-240 hours: 3 hourly, 246-840 hours: 6 hourly |
STAC (browse) · validation report
The Global Ensemble Forecast System (GEFS) is a National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) National Centers for Environmental Prediction (NCEP) weather forecast model. GEFS creates 31 separate forecasts (ensemble members) to describe the range of forecast uncertainty.
This dataset is an archive of past and present GEFS forecasts at 0.5 degree resolution, optimized for spatial (map) access patterns. Forecasts are identified by an initialization time (init_time) denoting the start time of the model run as well as by the ensemble_member, and step forward along the lead_time dimension. This dataset contains only the 00 hour UTC initialization times, which produce the full length 35 day forecast.
Variables on pressure levels, model levels and fixed heights above mean sea level live in the pressure_level, model_level and height_above_mean_sea_level groups.
Note: dynamical-catalog>=0.8.0 (or zarr>=3.2 icechunk>=2.2.2 gribberish>=1.5) is required.
Related Datasets
Examples
|
GEFS forecasts and analysis, virtual (Github) |
|
GEFS forecasts and analysis, virtual (Colab) |
import dynamical_catalog # dynamical-catalog>=0.8.0
ds = dynamical_catalog.open("noaa-gefs-forecast-35-day-0-5-degree-virtual", chunks=None)
ds["temperature_2m"].sel(init_time="2025-01-01T00", lead_time="24h").mean("ensemble_member")
# Variables with a vertical dimension live in the pressure_level, model_level
# and height_above_mean_sea_level groups
ds_pressure = dynamical_catalog.open("noaa-gefs-forecast-35-day-0-5-degree-virtual", group="pressure_level", chunks=None)
ds_model = dynamical_catalog.open("noaa-gefs-forecast-35-day-0-5-degree-virtual", group="model_level", chunks=None)
ds_height = dynamical_catalog.open("noaa-gefs-forecast-35-day-0-5-degree-virtual", group="height_above_mean_sea_level", chunks=None)
ds_pressure["geopotential_height"].sel(init_time="2025-01-01T00", lead_time="24h", pressure_level=500).mean("ensemble_member")import icechunk
import pystac
import xarray as xr
catalog = pystac.Catalog.from_file("https://stac.dynamical.org/catalog.json")
collection = catalog.get_child("noaa-gefs-forecast-35-day-0-5-degree-virtual")
asset = collection.assets["icechunk-https"]
authorize = icechunk.containers_credentials({"s3://noaa-gefs-pds/": icechunk.s3_anonymous_credentials()})
repo = icechunk.Repository.open(
icechunk.http_storage(asset.href),
authorize_virtual_chunk_access=authorize,
)
session = repo.readonly_session("main")
ds = xr.open_zarr(session.store, chunks=None)
ds["temperature_2m"].sel(init_time="2025-01-01T00", lead_time="24h").mean("ensemble_member")
# Variables with a vertical dimension live in the pressure_level, model_level
# and height_above_mean_sea_level groups
ds_pressure = xr.open_zarr(session.store, group="pressure_level", chunks=None)
ds_model = xr.open_zarr(session.store, group="model_level", chunks=None)
ds_height = xr.open_zarr(session.store, group="height_above_mean_sea_level", chunks=None)
ds_pressure["geopotential_height"].sel(init_time="2025-01-01T00", lead_time="24h", pressure_level=500).mean("ensemble_member")NOAA GEFS forecast, 35 day, 0.5 degree, virtual · Ensemble mean temperature map
Dimensions
| min | max | units | |
|---|---|---|---|
| ensemble_member | 0 | 30 | 1 |
| init_time | 2020-10-01T00:00:00Z | Present | seconds since 1970-01-01 |
| latitude | -90 | 90 | degree_north |
| lead_time | 0 | 3024000 | seconds |
| longitude | -180 | 179.5 | degree_east |
| height_above_mean_sea_level | 305 | 4572 | m |
| model_level | 1 | 4 | 1 |
| pressure_level | 1 | 1000 | hPa |
Variables
Access a variable by its name (the bold identifier, e.g. ds["albedo_surface"]).
Dimensions: init_time × ensemble_member × lead_time × latitude × longitude
| variable | units |
|---|---|
albedo_surface
Forecast albedo (fal)Average value in the last 6 hour period (lead times 6, 12, 18, ... hours) or 3 hour period (lead times 3, 9, 15, ... hours). Exactly 0 wherever the averaging window received no sunlight; exclude those zeros from a time mean albedo.
|
percent |
apparent_temperature_2m
Apparent temperature (aptmp)Equal to temperature_2m in mild conditions, wind chill when colder and heat index when hotter.
|
degree_Celsius |
average_high_cloud_cover
High cloud cover (hcc)Average value in the last 6 hour period (lead times 6, 12, 18, ... hours) or 3 hour period (lead times 3, 9, 15, ... hours).
|
percent |
average_low_cloud_cover
Low cloud cover (lcc)Average value in the last 6 hour period (lead times 6, 12, 18, ... hours) or 3 hour period (lead times 3, 9, 15, ... hours).
|
percent |
average_medium_cloud_cover
Medium cloud cover (mcc)Average value in the last 6 hour period (lead times 6, 12, 18, ... hours) or 3 hour period (lead times 3, 9, 15, ... hours).
|
percent |
average_precipitation_rate_surface
Precipitation rate (prate)Average value in the last 6 hour period (lead times 6, 12, 18, ... hours) or 3 hour period (lead times 3, 9, 15, ... hours).
|
kg m-2 s-1 |
average_pressure_high_cloud_bottom
Pressure (pres)Average value in the last 6 hour period (lead times 6, 12, 18, ... hours) or 3 hour period (lead times 3, 9, 15, ... hours). NaN where the source reports no high cloud in the column, and at some cloud-field edges where average_high_cloud_cover is near zero.
|
Pa |
average_pressure_high_cloud_top
Pressure (pres)Average value in the last 6 hour period (lead times 6, 12, 18, ... hours) or 3 hour period (lead times 3, 9, 15, ... hours). NaN where the source reports no high cloud in the column, and at some cloud-field edges where average_high_cloud_cover is near zero.
|
Pa |
average_pressure_low_cloud_bottom
Pressure (pres)Average value in the last 6 hour period (lead times 6, 12, 18, ... hours) or 3 hour period (lead times 3, 9, 15, ... hours). NaN where the source reports no low cloud in the column, and at some cloud-field edges where average_low_cloud_cover is near zero.
|
Pa |
average_pressure_low_cloud_top
Pressure (pres)Average value in the last 6 hour period (lead times 6, 12, 18, ... hours) or 3 hour period (lead times 3, 9, 15, ... hours). NaN where the source reports no low cloud in the column, and at some cloud-field edges where average_low_cloud_cover is near zero.
|
Pa |
average_pressure_middle_cloud_bottom
Pressure (pres)Average value in the last 6 hour period (lead times 6, 12, 18, ... hours) or 3 hour period (lead times 3, 9, 15, ... hours). NaN where the source reports no middle cloud in the column, and at some cloud-field edges where average_medium_cloud_cover is near zero.
|
Pa |
average_pressure_middle_cloud_top
Pressure (pres)Average value in the last 6 hour period (lead times 6, 12, 18, ... hours) or 3 hour period (lead times 3, 9, 15, ... hours). NaN where the source reports no middle cloud in the column, and at some cloud-field edges where average_medium_cloud_cover is near zero.
|
Pa |
average_snow_area_fraction_surface
Snow cover (snowc)Average value in the last 6 hour period (lead times 6, 12, 18, ... hours) or 3 hour period (lead times 3, 9, 15, ... hours). NaN over open water.
|
1 |
average_temperature_high_cloud_top
Temperature (t)Average value in the last 6 hour period (lead times 6, 12, 18, ... hours) or 3 hour period (lead times 3, 9, 15, ... hours). NaN where the source reports no high cloud in the column, and at some cloud-field edges where average_high_cloud_cover is near zero.
|
degree_Celsius |
average_temperature_low_cloud_top
Temperature (t)Average value in the last 6 hour period (lead times 6, 12, 18, ... hours) or 3 hour period (lead times 3, 9, 15, ... hours). NaN where the source reports no low cloud in the column, and at some cloud-field edges where average_low_cloud_cover is near zero.
|
degree_Celsius |
average_temperature_middle_cloud_top
Temperature (t)Average value in the last 6 hour period (lead times 6, 12, 18, ... hours) or 3 hour period (lead times 3, 9, 15, ... hours). NaN where the source reports no middle cloud in the column, and at some cloud-field edges where average_medium_cloud_cover is near zero.
|
degree_Celsius |
average_total_cloud_cover_boundary_layer
Boundary layer cloud cover (tcc)Average value in the last 6 hour period (lead times 6, 12, 18, ... hours) or 3 hour period (lead times 3, 9, 15, ... hours).
|
percent |
best_4_layer_lifted_index_surface
Best (4-layer) lifted index (4lftx)
|
K |
brightness_temperature_top_of_atmosphere
Brightness temperature (btmp)
|
K |
categorical_freezing_rain_surface
Categorical freezing rain (cfrzr)
|
1 |
categorical_ice_pellets_surface
Categorical ice pellets (cicep)
|
1 |
categorical_rain_surface
Categorical rain (crain)
|
1 |
categorical_snow_surface
Categorical snow (csnow)
|
1 |
clear_sky_uv_b_downward_solar_flux_surface
Clear sky UV-B downward solar flux (cduvb)Average value in the last 6 hour period (lead times 6, 12, 18, ... hours) or 3 hour period (lead times 3, 9, 15, ... hours). The UV-B portion of the downward shortwave flux at the surface, covering 263-345 nm, computed with clouds removed.
|
W m-2 |
cloud_cover_475mb
Fraction of cloud cover (cc)
|
percent |
cloud_water_atmosphere
Cloud water (cwat)
|
kg m-2 |
cloud_work_function_atmosphere
Cloud work function (cwork)Average value in the last 6 hour period (lead times 6, 12, 18, ... hours) or 3 hour period (lead times 3, 9, 15, ... hours).
|
J kg-1 |
convective_available_potential_energy_180_0mb
Convective available potential energy (cape)Energy released by a parcel lifted from the most unstable of six 30 hPa layers in the lowest 180 hPa, rather than from one parcel averaged over that depth.
|
J kg-1 |
convective_available_potential_energy_255_0mb
Convective available potential energy (cape)Energy released by a parcel lifted from the most unstable level in the lowest 300 hPa. The source labels the record 255 hPa but searches 300.
|
J kg-1 |
convective_available_potential_energy_surface
Convective available potential energy (cape)
|
J kg-1 |
convective_cloud_cover
Convective cloud cover (ccc)
|
percent |
convective_inhibition_180_0mb
Convective inhibition (cin)Negative where there is inhibition and at or near zero where there is none.
|
J kg-1 |
convective_inhibition_255_0mb
Convective inhibition (cin)Negative where there is inhibition and at or near zero where there is none.
|
J kg-1 |
convective_inhibition_surface
Convective inhibition (cin)Negative where there is inhibition and at or near zero where there is none.
|
J kg-1 |
convective_precipitation_surface
Convective precipitation (cp)Total accumulated in the last 6 hour period (lead times 6, 12, 18, ... hours) or 3 hour period (lead times 3, 9, 15, ... hours).
|
kg m-2 |
dew_point_temperature_2m
2 metre dewpoint temperature (2d)
|
degree_Celsius |
dew_point_temperature_30_0mb
Dew point temperature (dpt)
|
degree_Celsius |
downward_long_wave_radiation_flux_surface
Surface downward long-wave radiation flux (sdlwrf)Average value in the last 6 hour period (lead times 6, 12, 18, ... hours) or 3 hour period (lead times 3, 9, 15, ... hours).
|
W m-2 |
downward_short_wave_radiation_flux_surface
Surface downward short-wave radiation flux (sdswrf)Average value in the last 6 hour period (lead times 6, 12, 18, ... hours) or 3 hour period (lead times 3, 9, 15, ... hours).
|
W m-2 |
eastward_gravity_wave_surface_stress
Eastward gravity wave surface stress (lgws)Average value in the last 6 hour period (lead times 6, 12, 18, ... hours) or 3 hour period (lead times 3, 9, 15, ... hours). Positive values are a westward gravity wave drag force on the atmosphere: the opposite sign convention to CF's atmosphere_eastward_stress_due_to_gravity_wave_drag.
|
Pa |
field_capacity_surface
Field Capacity (fldcp)NaN over water.
|
1 |
five_wave_geopotential_height_500mb
5-wave geopotential height (5wavh)The first five zonal Fourier components of geopotential_height at 500 mb, not the full field.
|
m |
friction_velocity_surface
Friction velocity (zust)
|
m s-1 |
geopotential_height_0c_isotherm
Geopotential height (gh)Zero marks a freezing level at or below the surface rather than missing data; over water, where the surface is at zero height, it is a genuine value.
|
m |
geopotential_height_0p5pvu
Geopotential height (gh)NaN where this potential vorticity surface does not exist in the column.
|
m |
geopotential_height_1p5pvu
Geopotential height (gh)NaN where this potential vorticity surface does not exist in the column.
|
m |
geopotential_height_1pvu
Geopotential height (gh)NaN where this potential vorticity surface does not exist in the column.
|
m |
geopotential_height_2pvu
Geopotential height (gh)NaN where this potential vorticity surface does not exist in the column.
|
m |
geopotential_height_cloud_ceiling
Geopotential height (gh)Values near 20,000m mark no cloud ceiling. Interpolation in the source mixes the no data value with real ceiling heights, so unusable values span a range rather than one value and are not converted to NaN. Mask values above 19,000m.
|
m |
geopotential_height_highest_tropospheric_freezing_level
Geopotential height (gh)Zero marks a freezing level at or below the surface rather than missing data; over water, where the surface is at zero height, it is a genuine value.
|
m |
geopotential_height_max_wind
Geopotential height (gh)The source searches only 500 to 100 hPa for this level, so stronger wind can lie outside that layer.
|
m |
geopotential_height_minus0p5pvu
Geopotential height (gh)NaN where this potential vorticity surface does not exist in the column.
|
m |
geopotential_height_minus1p5pvu
Geopotential height (gh)NaN where this potential vorticity surface does not exist in the column.
|
m |
geopotential_height_minus1pvu
Geopotential height (gh)NaN where this potential vorticity surface does not exist in the column.
|
m |
geopotential_height_minus2pvu
Geopotential height (gh)NaN where this potential vorticity surface does not exist in the column.
|
m |
geopotential_height_tropopause
Geopotential height (gh)
|
m |
ground_heat_flux_surface
Ground heat flux (gflux)Average value in the last 6 hour period (lead times 6, 12, 18, ... hours) or 3 hour period (lead times 3, 9, 15, ... hours). NaN over open water.
|
W m-2 |
haines_index_surface
Haines Index (hindex)Fire-weather index of lower-atmosphere stability and dryness for large plume-dominated fire growth. NaN over open water.
|
1 |
icao_standard_atmosphere_reference_height_max_wind
ICAO Standard Atmosphere reference height (icaht)Pressure altitude: the ICAO Standard Atmosphere height for this level's pressure, not its actual height, which geopotential_height_max_wind carries. The source searches only 500 to 100 hPa for this level, so stronger wind can lie outside that layer.
|
m |
icao_standard_atmosphere_reference_height_tropopause
ICAO Standard Atmosphere reference height (icaht)Pressure altitude: the ICAO Standard Atmosphere height for this level's pressure, not its actual height, which geopotential_height_tropopause carries.
|
m |
ice_cover_surface
Ice cover (1=ice, 0=no ice) (icec)
|
1 |
ice_thickness_surface
Ice thickness (icetk)
|
m |
land_sea_mask_surface
Land-sea mask (lsm)
|
1 |
large_scale_precipitation_surface
Large scale precipitation (non-convective) (ncpcp)Total accumulated in the last 6 hour period (lead times 6, 12, 18, ... hours) or 3 hour period (lead times 3, 9, 15, ... hours).
|
kg m-2 |
latent_heat_flux_surface
Latent heat flux (lhf)Average value in the last 6 hour period (lead times 6, 12, 18, ... hours) or 3 hour period (lead times 3, 9, 15, ... hours).
|
W m-2 |
liquid_volumetric_soil_moisture_0_10cm
Liquid volumetric soil moisture (non-frozen) (soill)Unfrozen fraction only; volumetric_soil_moisture_0_10cm carries frozen plus liquid water. NaN over water. Over permanent land ice the value is a placeholder rather than soil moisture: near 1 on fully ice-covered cells and above about 0.5 where ice partly covers the cell.
|
1 |
liquid_volumetric_soil_moisture_100_200cm
Liquid volumetric soil moisture (non-frozen) (soill)Unfrozen fraction only; volumetric_soil_moisture_100_200cm carries frozen plus liquid water. NaN over water. Over permanent land ice the value is a placeholder rather than soil moisture: near 1 on fully ice-covered cells and above about 0.5 where ice partly covers the cell.
|
1 |
liquid_volumetric_soil_moisture_10_40cm
Liquid volumetric soil moisture (non-frozen) (soill)Unfrozen fraction only; volumetric_soil_moisture_10_40cm carries frozen plus liquid water. NaN over water. Over permanent land ice the value is a placeholder rather than soil moisture: near 1 on fully ice-covered cells and above about 0.5 where ice partly covers the cell.
|
1 |
liquid_volumetric_soil_moisture_40_100cm
Liquid volumetric soil moisture (non-frozen) (soill)Unfrozen fraction only; volumetric_soil_moisture_40_100cm carries frozen plus liquid water. NaN over water. Over permanent land ice the value is a placeholder rather than soil moisture: near 1 on fully ice-covered cells and above about 0.5 where ice partly covers the cell.
|
1 |
maximum_temperature_2m
Maximum temperature (tmax)Maximum value in the last 6 hour period (lead times 6, 12, 18, ... hours) or 3 hour period (lead times 3, 9, 15, ... hours).
|
degree_Celsius |
minimum_temperature_2m
Minimum temperature (tmin)Minimum value in the last 6 hour period (lead times 6, 12, 18, ... hours) or 3 hour period (lead times 3, 9, 15, ... hours).
|
degree_Celsius |
momentum_flux_u_component_surface
Momentum flux, u-component (uflx)Average value in the last 6 hour period (lead times 6, 12, 18, ... hours) or 3 hour period (lead times 3, 9, 15, ... hours). Positive values are an upward flux of eastward momentum, from the surface into the atmosphere: the opposite sign convention to CF's surface_downward_eastward_stress.
|
Pa |
momentum_flux_v_component_surface
Momentum flux, v-component (vflx)Average value in the last 6 hour period (lead times 6, 12, 18, ... hours) or 3 hour period (lead times 3, 9, 15, ... hours). Positive values are an upward flux of northward momentum, from the surface into the atmosphere: the opposite sign convention to CF's surface_downward_northward_stress.
|
Pa |
montgomery_stream_function_320k
Montgomery stream Function (mntsf)NaN where this isentropic surface lies below the ground.
|
m2 s-2 |
northward_gravity_wave_surface_stress
Northward gravity wave surface stress (mgws)Average value in the last 6 hour period (lead times 6, 12, 18, ... hours) or 3 hour period (lead times 3, 9, 15, ... hours). Positive values are a southward gravity wave drag force on the atmosphere: the opposite sign convention to CF's atmosphere_northward_stress_due_to_gravity_wave_drag.
|
Pa |
parcel_lifted_index_30_0mb
Parcel lifted index (to 500 hPa) (pli)
|
K |
percent_frozen_precipitation_surface
Percent frozen precipitation (cpofp)Negative values mark no precipitation. Interpolation in the source mixes the no data value with real percentages, so unusable values span a range rather than one value and are not converted to NaN. Mask values < -0.1.
|
percent |
planetary_boundary_layer_height_surface
Boundary layer height (blh)
|
m |
plant_canopy_surface_water_surface
Plant canopy surface water (cnwat)NaN over water.
|
kg m-2 |
potential_evaporation_rate_surface
Potential evaporation rate (pevr)Potential evaporation demand computed by the land model, not the actual evaporative flux, so it is not bounded by available net radiation. NaN over open water.
|
W m-2 |
potential_temperature_0p995_sigma
Potential temperature (pt)
|
K |
potential_vorticity_310k
Potential vorticity (pv)NaN where this isentropic surface lies below the ground.
|
K m2 kg-1 s-1 |
potential_vorticity_320k
Potential vorticity (pv)NaN where this isentropic surface lies below the ground.
|
K m2 kg-1 s-1 |
potential_vorticity_350k
Potential vorticity (pv)NaN where this isentropic surface lies below the ground.
|
K m2 kg-1 s-1 |
potential_vorticity_450k
Potential vorticity (pv)NaN where this isentropic surface lies below the ground.
|
K m2 kg-1 s-1 |
potential_vorticity_550k
Potential vorticity (pv)NaN where this isentropic surface lies below the ground.
|
K m2 kg-1 s-1 |
potential_vorticity_650k
Potential vorticity (pv)NaN where this isentropic surface lies below the ground.
|
K m2 kg-1 s-1 |
precipitable_water_30_0mb
Precipitable water (pwat)
|
kg m-2 |
precipitable_water_atmosphere
Precipitable water (pwat)
|
kg m-2 |
precipitation_convective_surface
Convective precipitation rate (cpr)Average value in the last 6 hour period (lead times 6, 12, 18, ... hours) or 3 hour period (lead times 3, 9, 15, ... hours).
|
kg m-2 s-1 |
pressure_0p5pvu
Pressure (pres)NaN where this potential vorticity surface does not exist in the column.
|
Pa |
pressure_1p5pvu
Pressure (pres)NaN where this potential vorticity surface does not exist in the column.
|
Pa |
pressure_1pvu
Pressure (pres)NaN where this potential vorticity surface does not exist in the column.
|
Pa |
pressure_2pvu
Pressure (pres)NaN where this potential vorticity surface does not exist in the column.
|
Pa |
pressure_80m
80 metre pressure (80sp)
|
Pa |
pressure_convective_cloud_bottom
Pressure (pres)NaN where the source reports no convective cloud in the column, and at some cloud-field edges where convective_cloud_cover is near zero.
|
Pa |
pressure_convective_cloud_top
Pressure (pres)NaN where the source reports no convective cloud in the column, and at some cloud-field edges where convective_cloud_cover is near zero.
|
Pa |
pressure_max_wind
Pressure (pres)The source searches only 500 to 100 hPa for this level, so stronger wind can lie outside that layer.
|
Pa |
pressure_mean_sea_level
Pressure (pres)Mean sea level pressure as the source reports it, a third product alongside the pressure_reduced_to_mean_sea_level and pressure_reduced_to_mean_sea_level_eta_model reductions in this dataset.
|
Pa |
pressure_minus0p5pvu
Pressure (pres)NaN where this potential vorticity surface does not exist in the column.
|
Pa |
pressure_minus1p5pvu
Pressure (pres)NaN where this potential vorticity surface does not exist in the column.
|
Pa |
pressure_minus1pvu
Pressure (pres)NaN where this potential vorticity surface does not exist in the column.
|
Pa |
pressure_minus2pvu
Pressure (pres)NaN where this potential vorticity surface does not exist in the column.
|
Pa |
pressure_of_lifted_parcel_level_255_0mb
Pressure of level from which parcel was lifted (plpl)Clipped at the highest pressure this field encodes, near 100000 Pa, where a large fraction of cells sit. Their true pressure is at or above that ceiling, not absent.
|
Pa |
pressure_reduced_to_mean_sea_level
Pressure reduced to MSL (prmsl)
|
Pa |
pressure_reduced_to_mean_sea_level_eta_model
MSLP (Eta model reduction) (mslet)Mean sea level pressure computed with the Eta model reduction, an alternative to pressure_reduced_to_mean_sea_level that differs mainly over high terrain.
|
Pa |
pressure_surface
Surface pressure (sp)
|
Pa |
pressure_tropopause
Pressure (pres)
|
Pa |
relative_humidity_0c_isotherm
Relative humidity (r)
|
percent |
relative_humidity_0p33_1_sigma
Relative humidity (r)
|
percent |
relative_humidity_0p44_0p72_sigma
Relative humidity (r)
|
percent |
relative_humidity_0p44_1_sigma
Relative humidity (r)
|
percent |
relative_humidity_0p72_0p94_sigma
Relative humidity (r)
|
percent |
relative_humidity_0p995_sigma
Relative humidity (r)
|
percent |
relative_humidity_120_90mb
Relative humidity (r)The 120-90 mb in the name are pressure differences from the surface, not isobaric levels.
|
percent |
relative_humidity_150_120mb
Relative humidity (r)The 150-120 mb in the name are pressure differences from the surface, not isobaric levels.
|
percent |
relative_humidity_180_150mb
Relative humidity (r)The 180-150 mb in the name are pressure differences from the surface, not isobaric levels.
|
percent |
relative_humidity_2m
2 metre relative humidity (2r)
|
percent |
relative_humidity_30_0mb
Relative humidity (r)
|
percent |
relative_humidity_60_30mb
Relative humidity (r)The 60-30 mb in the name are pressure differences from the surface, not isobaric levels.
|
percent |
relative_humidity_90_60mb
Relative humidity (r)The 90-60 mb in the name are pressure differences from the surface, not isobaric levels.
|
percent |
relative_humidity_atmosphere
Relative humidity (r)
|
percent |
relative_humidity_highest_tropospheric_freezing_level
Relative humidity (r)
|
percent |
sensible_heat_flux_surface
Sensible heat flux (shf)Average value in the last 6 hour period (lead times 6, 12, 18, ... hours) or 3 hour period (lead times 3, 9, 15, ... hours).
|
W m-2 |
snow_phase_change_heat_flux_surface
Snow phase change heat flux (snohf)Average value in the last 6 hour period (lead times 6, 12, 18, ... hours) or 3 hour period (lead times 3, 9, 15, ... hours). NaN over water.
|
W m-2 |
snow_thickness_surface
Snow depth (sde)NaN over open water.
|
m |
snow_water_equivalent_surface
Snow depth water equivalent (sd)NaN over open water.
|
m |
soil_temperature_0_10cm
Soil temperature (sot)NaN over water.
|
degree_Celsius |
soil_temperature_100_200cm
Soil temperature (sot)NaN over water.
|
degree_Celsius |
soil_temperature_10_40cm
Soil temperature (sot)NaN over water.
|
degree_Celsius |
soil_temperature_40_100cm
Soil temperature (sot)NaN over water.
|
degree_Celsius |
specific_humidity_120_90mb
Specific humidity (q)The 120-90 mb in the name are pressure differences from the surface, not isobaric levels.
|
1 |
specific_humidity_150_120mb
Specific humidity (q)The 150-120 mb in the name are pressure differences from the surface, not isobaric levels.
|
1 |
specific_humidity_180_150mb
Specific humidity (q)The 180-150 mb in the name are pressure differences from the surface, not isobaric levels.
|
1 |
specific_humidity_2m
Specific humidity (q)
|
1 |
specific_humidity_30_0mb
Specific humidity (q)
|
1 |
specific_humidity_60_30mb
Specific humidity (q)The 60-30 mb in the name are pressure differences from the surface, not isobaric levels.
|
1 |
specific_humidity_80m
Specific humidity (q)
|
1 |
specific_humidity_90_60mb
Specific humidity (q)The 90-60 mb in the name are pressure differences from the surface, not isobaric levels.
|
1 |
storm_relative_helicity_3000_0m
Storm relative helicity (hlcy)Uses a right-moving storm motion in both hemispheres, so southern hemisphere values are positive-mean rather than mirrored. Some source values reach magnitudes near 100,000 m2 s-2, far above the roughly 1,500 m2 s-2 physical ceiling for this quantity. Mask absolute values above 2,000.
|
m2 s-2 |
sunshine_duration_surface
Sunshine Duration (SUNSD)Sunshine accumulated over the preceding 1-6 hours, not an instantaneous value: the total restarts every 6 hours and so reaches at most 21600 s. The source index labels it instantaneous, which is why it carries no window step type.
|
s |
surface_lifted_index_surface
Surface lifted index (lftx)
|
K |
surface_roughness_surface
Forecast surface roughness (fsr)
|
m |
temperature_0p5pvu
Temperature (t)NaN where this potential vorticity surface does not exist in the column.
|
degree_Celsius |
temperature_0p995_sigma
Temperature (t)
|
degree_Celsius |
temperature_100m
Temperature (t)
|
degree_Celsius |
temperature_120_90mb
Temperature (t)The 120-90 mb in the name are pressure differences from the surface, not isobaric levels.
|
degree_Celsius |
temperature_150_120mb
Temperature (t)The 150-120 mb in the name are pressure differences from the surface, not isobaric levels.
|
degree_Celsius |
temperature_180_150mb
Temperature (t)The 180-150 mb in the name are pressure differences from the surface, not isobaric levels.
|
degree_Celsius |
temperature_1p5pvu
Temperature (t)NaN where this potential vorticity surface does not exist in the column.
|
degree_Celsius |
temperature_1pvu
Temperature (t)NaN where this potential vorticity surface does not exist in the column.
|
degree_Celsius |
temperature_2m
2 metre temperature (2t)
|
degree_Celsius |
temperature_2pvu
Temperature (t)NaN where this potential vorticity surface does not exist in the column.
|
degree_Celsius |
temperature_30_0mb
Temperature (t)
|
degree_Celsius |
temperature_320k
Temperature (t)NaN where this isentropic surface lies below the ground.
|
degree_Celsius |
temperature_450k
Temperature (t)NaN where this isentropic surface lies below the ground.
|
degree_Celsius |
temperature_550k
Temperature (t)NaN where this isentropic surface lies below the ground.
|
degree_Celsius |
temperature_60_30mb
Temperature (t)The 60-30 mb in the name are pressure differences from the surface, not isobaric levels.
|
degree_Celsius |
temperature_650k
Temperature (t)NaN where this isentropic surface lies below the ground.
|
degree_Celsius |
temperature_80m
80 metre temperature (80t)
|
degree_Celsius |
temperature_90_60mb
Temperature (t)The 90-60 mb in the name are pressure differences from the surface, not isobaric levels.
|
degree_Celsius |
temperature_max_wind
Temperature (t)The source searches only 500 to 100 hPa for this level, so stronger wind can lie outside that layer.
|
degree_Celsius |
temperature_minus0p5pvu
Temperature (t)NaN where this potential vorticity surface does not exist in the column.
|
degree_Celsius |
temperature_minus1p5pvu
Temperature (t)NaN where this potential vorticity surface does not exist in the column.
|
degree_Celsius |
temperature_minus1pvu
Temperature (t)NaN where this potential vorticity surface does not exist in the column.
|
degree_Celsius |
temperature_minus2pvu
Temperature (t)NaN where this potential vorticity surface does not exist in the column.
|
degree_Celsius |
temperature_surface
Skin temperature (skt)
|
degree_Celsius |
temperature_tropopause
Temperature (t)
|
degree_Celsius |
total_cloud_cover_atmosphere
Total cloud cover (tcc)Average value in the last 6 hour period (lead times 6, 12, 18, ... hours) or 3 hour period (lead times 3, 9, 15, ... hours).
|
percent |
total_ozone_atmosphere
Total ozone (tozne)The thickness the column's ozone would occupy as pure ozone at standard temperature and pressure; 1e-5 m is one Dobson unit.
|
m |
total_precipitation_surface
Total precipitation (tp)Total accumulated in the last 6 hour period (lead times 6, 12, 18, ... hours) or 3 hour period (lead times 3, 9, 15, ... hours).
|
kg m-2 |
u_component_storm_motion_6000_0m
U-component storm motion (ustm)The Bunkers right-moving supercell motion.
|
m s-1 |
upward_long_wave_radiation_flux_surface
Surface upward long-wave radiation flux (sulwrf)Average value in the last 6 hour period (lead times 6, 12, 18, ... hours) or 3 hour period (lead times 3, 9, 15, ... hours).
|
W m-2 |
upward_long_wave_radiation_flux_top_of_atmosphere
Upward long-wave radiation flux (ulwrf)Average value in the last 6 hour period (lead times 6, 12, 18, ... hours) or 3 hour period (lead times 3, 9, 15, ... hours).
|
W m-2 |
upward_short_wave_radiation_flux_surface
Surface upward short-wave radiation flux (suswrf)Average value in the last 6 hour period (lead times 6, 12, 18, ... hours) or 3 hour period (lead times 3, 9, 15, ... hours).
|
W m-2 |
upward_short_wave_radiation_flux_top_of_atmosphere
Upward short-wave radiation flux (uswrf)Average value in the last 6 hour period (lead times 6, 12, 18, ... hours) or 3 hour period (lead times 3, 9, 15, ... hours).
|
W m-2 |
uv_b_downward_solar_flux_surface
UV-B downward solar flux (duvb)Average value in the last 6 hour period (lead times 6, 12, 18, ... hours) or 3 hour period (lead times 3, 9, 15, ... hours). The UV-B portion of the downward shortwave flux at the surface, covering 263-345 nm.
|
W m-2 |
v_component_storm_motion_6000_0m
V-component storm motion (vstm)The Bunkers right-moving supercell motion.
|
m s-1 |
ventilation_rate_planetary_boundary_layer
Ventilation Rate (VRATE)
|
m2 s-1 |
vertical_speed_shear_0p5pvu
Vertical speed shear (vwsh)NaN where this potential vorticity surface does not exist in the column.
|
s-1 |
vertical_speed_shear_1p5pvu
Vertical speed shear (vwsh)NaN where this potential vorticity surface does not exist in the column.
|
s-1 |
vertical_speed_shear_1pvu
Vertical speed shear (vwsh)NaN where this potential vorticity surface does not exist in the column.
|
s-1 |
vertical_speed_shear_2pvu
Vertical speed shear (vwsh)NaN where this potential vorticity surface does not exist in the column.
|
s-1 |
vertical_speed_shear_minus0p5pvu
Vertical speed shear (vwsh)NaN where this potential vorticity surface does not exist in the column.
|
s-1 |
vertical_speed_shear_minus1p5pvu
Vertical speed shear (vwsh)NaN where this potential vorticity surface does not exist in the column.
|
s-1 |
vertical_speed_shear_minus1pvu
Vertical speed shear (vwsh)NaN where this potential vorticity surface does not exist in the column.
|
s-1 |
vertical_speed_shear_minus2pvu
Vertical speed shear (vwsh)NaN where this potential vorticity surface does not exist in the column.
|
s-1 |
vertical_speed_shear_tropopause
Vertical speed shear (vwsh)
|
s-1 |
vertical_velocity_0p995_sigma
Vertical velocity (w)
|
Pa s-1 |
visibility_surface
Visibility (vis)Clipped at the maximum visibility this field encodes, about 24 km, where a large fraction of cells sit. The true visibility there is at least that far, not absent.
|
m |
volumetric_soil_moisture_0_10cm
Volumetric soil moisture (vsw)NaN over water. Over permanent land ice the value is a placeholder rather than soil moisture: near 1 on fully ice-covered cells and above about 0.5 where ice partly covers the cell.
|
1 |
volumetric_soil_moisture_100_200cm
Volumetric soil moisture (vsw)NaN over water. Over permanent land ice the value is a placeholder rather than soil moisture: near 1 on fully ice-covered cells and above about 0.5 where ice partly covers the cell.
|
1 |
volumetric_soil_moisture_10_40cm
Volumetric soil moisture (vsw)NaN over water. Over permanent land ice the value is a placeholder rather than soil moisture: near 1 on fully ice-covered cells and above about 0.5 where ice partly covers the cell.
|
1 |
volumetric_soil_moisture_40_100cm
Volumetric soil moisture (vsw)NaN over water. Over permanent land ice the value is a placeholder rather than soil moisture: near 1 on fully ice-covered cells and above about 0.5 where ice partly covers the cell.
|
1 |
water_runoff_surface
Water runoff (watr)Total accumulated in the last 6 hour period (lead times 6, 12, 18, ... hours) or 3 hour period (lead times 3, 9, 15, ... hours). NaN over water.
|
kg m-2 |
wilting_point_surface
Wilting point (wilt)NaN over water.
|
1 |
wind_gust_surface
Wind speed (gust) (gust)
|
m s-1 |
wind_u_0p5pvu
U component of wind (u)NaN where this potential vorticity surface does not exist in the column.
|
m s-1 |
wind_u_0p995_sigma
U component of wind (u)
|
m s-1 |
wind_u_100m
100 metre U wind component (100u)
|
m s-1 |
wind_u_10m
10 metre U wind component (10u)
|
m s-1 |
wind_u_120_90mb
U component of wind (u)The 120-90 mb in the name are pressure differences from the surface, not isobaric levels.
|
m s-1 |
wind_u_150_120mb
U component of wind (u)The 150-120 mb in the name are pressure differences from the surface, not isobaric levels.
|
m s-1 |
wind_u_180_150mb
U component of wind (u)The 180-150 mb in the name are pressure differences from the surface, not isobaric levels.
|
m s-1 |
wind_u_1p5pvu
U component of wind (u)NaN where this potential vorticity surface does not exist in the column.
|
m s-1 |
wind_u_1pvu
U component of wind (u)NaN where this potential vorticity surface does not exist in the column.
|
m s-1 |
wind_u_2pvu
U component of wind (u)NaN where this potential vorticity surface does not exist in the column.
|
m s-1 |
wind_u_30_0mb
U component of wind (u)
|
m s-1 |
wind_u_320k
U component of wind (u)NaN where this isentropic surface lies below the ground.
|
m s-1 |
wind_u_450k
U component of wind (u)NaN where this isentropic surface lies below the ground.
|
m s-1 |
wind_u_550k
U component of wind (u)NaN where this isentropic surface lies below the ground.
|
m s-1 |
wind_u_60_30mb
U component of wind (u)The 60-30 mb in the name are pressure differences from the surface, not isobaric levels.
|
m s-1 |
wind_u_650k
U component of wind (u)NaN where this isentropic surface lies below the ground.
|
m s-1 |
wind_u_80m
80 metre U wind component (80u)
|
m s-1 |
wind_u_90_60mb
U component of wind (u)The 90-60 mb in the name are pressure differences from the surface, not isobaric levels.
|
m s-1 |
wind_u_max_wind
U component of wind (u)The source searches only 500 to 100 hPa for this level, so stronger wind can lie outside that layer.
|
m s-1 |
wind_u_minus0p5pvu
U component of wind (u)NaN where this potential vorticity surface does not exist in the column.
|
m s-1 |
wind_u_minus1p5pvu
U component of wind (u)NaN where this potential vorticity surface does not exist in the column.
|
m s-1 |
wind_u_minus1pvu
U component of wind (u)NaN where this potential vorticity surface does not exist in the column.
|
m s-1 |
wind_u_minus2pvu
U component of wind (u)NaN where this potential vorticity surface does not exist in the column.
|
m s-1 |
wind_u_planetary_boundary_layer
U component of wind (u)The mean wind through the depth of the planetary boundary layer, not the wind at its top.
|
m s-1 |
wind_u_tropopause
U component of wind (u)
|
m s-1 |
wind_v_0p5pvu
V component of wind (v)NaN where this potential vorticity surface does not exist in the column.
|
m s-1 |
wind_v_0p995_sigma
V component of wind (v)
|
m s-1 |
wind_v_100m
100 metre V wind component (100v)
|
m s-1 |
wind_v_10m
10 metre V wind component (10v)
|
m s-1 |
wind_v_120_90mb
V component of wind (v)The 120-90 mb in the name are pressure differences from the surface, not isobaric levels.
|
m s-1 |
wind_v_150_120mb
V component of wind (v)The 150-120 mb in the name are pressure differences from the surface, not isobaric levels.
|
m s-1 |
wind_v_180_150mb
V component of wind (v)The 180-150 mb in the name are pressure differences from the surface, not isobaric levels.
|
m s-1 |
wind_v_1p5pvu
V component of wind (v)NaN where this potential vorticity surface does not exist in the column.
|
m s-1 |
wind_v_1pvu
V component of wind (v)NaN where this potential vorticity surface does not exist in the column.
|
m s-1 |
wind_v_2pvu
V component of wind (v)NaN where this potential vorticity surface does not exist in the column.
|
m s-1 |
wind_v_30_0mb
V component of wind (v)
|
m s-1 |
wind_v_320k
V component of wind (v)NaN where this isentropic surface lies below the ground.
|
m s-1 |
wind_v_450k
V component of wind (v)NaN where this isentropic surface lies below the ground.
|
m s-1 |
wind_v_550k
V component of wind (v)NaN where this isentropic surface lies below the ground.
|
m s-1 |
wind_v_60_30mb
V component of wind (v)The 60-30 mb in the name are pressure differences from the surface, not isobaric levels.
|
m s-1 |
wind_v_650k
V component of wind (v)NaN where this isentropic surface lies below the ground.
|
m s-1 |
wind_v_80m
80 metre V wind component (80v)
|
m s-1 |
wind_v_90_60mb
V component of wind (v)The 90-60 mb in the name are pressure differences from the surface, not isobaric levels.
|
m s-1 |
wind_v_max_wind
V component of wind (v)The source searches only 500 to 100 hPa for this level, so stronger wind can lie outside that layer.
|
m s-1 |
wind_v_minus0p5pvu
V component of wind (v)NaN where this potential vorticity surface does not exist in the column.
|
m s-1 |
wind_v_minus1p5pvu
V component of wind (v)NaN where this potential vorticity surface does not exist in the column.
|
m s-1 |
wind_v_minus1pvu
V component of wind (v)NaN where this potential vorticity surface does not exist in the column.
|
m s-1 |
wind_v_minus2pvu
V component of wind (v)NaN where this potential vorticity surface does not exist in the column.
|
m s-1 |
wind_v_planetary_boundary_layer
V component of wind (v)The mean wind through the depth of the planetary boundary layer, not the wind at its top.
|
m s-1 |
wind_v_tropopause
V component of wind (v)
|
m s-1 |
Height Above Mean Sea Level (3 variables)
These variables live in the height_above_mean_sea_level Zarr group (e.g. pass group="height_above_mean_sea_level" to dynamical_catalog.open() or xr.open_zarr()).
Dimensions: init_time × ensemble_member × lead_time × latitude × longitude × height_above_mean_sea_level
| variable | units |
|---|---|
temperature
Temperature (t)NaN where the terrain is above this level.
|
degree_Celsius |
wind_u
U component of wind (u)NaN where the terrain is above this level.
|
m s-1 |
wind_v
V component of wind (v)NaN where the terrain is above this level.
|
m s-1 |
Model Level (6 variables)
These variables live in the model_level Zarr group (e.g. pass group="model_level" to dynamical_catalog.open() or xr.open_zarr()).
Dimensions: init_time × ensemble_member × lead_time × latitude × longitude × model_level
| variable | units |
|---|---|
geopotential_height
Geopotential height (gh)
|
m |
pressure
Pressure (pres)
|
Pa |
relative_humidity
Relative humidity (r)
|
percent |
temperature
Temperature (t)
|
degree_Celsius |
wind_u
U component of wind (u)
|
m s-1 |
wind_v
V component of wind (v)
|
m s-1 |
Pressure Level (12 variables)
These variables live in the pressure_level Zarr group (e.g. pass group="pressure_level" to dynamical_catalog.open() or xr.open_zarr()).
Dimensions: init_time × ensemble_member × lead_time × latitude × longitude × pressure_level
| variable | units |
|---|---|
absolute_vorticity
Absolute vorticity (absv)Not published at the 7, 5, 3, 2 and 1 hPa levels, which are NaN at every step.
|
s-1 |
cloud_mixing_ratio
Cloud mixing ratio (clwmr)Not published at the 7, 5, 3, 2 and 1 hPa levels, which are NaN at every step.
|
kg kg-1 |
geopotential_height
Geopotential height (gh)
|
m |
icing_probability
Icing probability (icip)Published only at the 800, 700, 600, 500, 400 and 300 hPa levels; every other level is NaN at every step. NaN where the terrain is above this level.
|
1 |
icing_severity
Icing severity (ICSEV)Published only at the 800, 700, 600, 500, 400 and 300 hPa levels; every other level is NaN at every step. NaN where the terrain is above this level.
|
1 |
ozone_mixing_ratio
Ozone mixing ratio (o3mr)Not published at the 14 levels from 450 to 1000 hPa, which are NaN at every step.
|
kg kg-1 |
relative_humidity
Relative humidity (r)Not published at the 7, 5, 3, 2 and 1 hPa levels, which are NaN at every step.
|
percent |
specific_humidity
Specific humidity (q)
|
1 |
temperature
Temperature (t)
|
degree_Celsius |
vertical_velocity
Vertical velocity (w)
|
Pa s-1 |
wind_u
U component of wind (u)
|
m s-1 |
wind_v
V component of wind (v)
|
m s-1 |
Details
License
Dataset licensed under CC BY 4.0.
Attribution and citation
NOAA NWS NCEP GEFS data processed by dynamical.org from NOAA Open Data Dissemination archives.
Or NOAA GEFS from dynamical.org.
Source
The source grib files this archive is constructed from are provided by NOAA Open Data Dissemination (NODD) and accessed from the AWS Open Data Registry.
Publication timing
NOAA NCEP publishes the first 16 days of each forecast as a continuous stream; the remaining days out to 35 arrive more slowly and finish about 27 hours after initialization, so the newest initialization time is usually still filling. See the source pipeline status for detailed timing information.
Storage
Storage for this dataset is generously provided by AWS Open Data.
Chunks
This dataset is stored in Zarr format, which splits each variable into a grid of chunks — the smallest unit read from storage. When possible, aligning your reads with this dataset's chunk grid can significantly improve data access speed.
The element count and coordinate span of this dataset:
| dimension | chunk |
|---|---|
| init_time | 1 (1 day) |
| ensemble_member | 1 |
| lead_time | 1 (~3 hours) |
| latitude | 361 (180.5°) |
| longitude | 720 (360°) |
| uncompressed | 2.0 MiB |
Validation report
Review the validation report for variable availability, missing data, known quirks, fill values, value distributions, and sample plots.