Catalog > NOAA GFS > NOAA GFS analysis, virtual
updating

NOAA GFS analysis, virtual

map-optimized · low-latency
Spatial domain Global
Spatial resolution 0.25 degrees (~20km)
Time domain 2021-05-01 00:00:00 UTC to Present
Time resolution 1 hour

STAC (browse) · validation report

The Global Forecast System (GFS) is a National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) National Centers for Environmental Prediction (NCEP) weather forecast model that generates data for dozens of atmospheric and land-soil variables, including temperatures, winds, precipitation, soil moisture, and atmospheric ozone concentration. The system couples four separate models (atmosphere, ocean model, land/soil model, and sea ice) that work together to depict weather conditions.

This analysis dataset is an archive of the model's best estimate of past weather, optimized for spatial (map) access patterns. It is created by concatenating the shortest available step of each historical forecast to provide a dataset with dimensions time, latitude, and longitude.

Variables on pressure levels and fixed heights above mean sea level live in the pressure_level and height_above_mean_sea_level groups.

Note: dynamical-catalog>=0.8.0 (or zarr>=3.2 icechunk>=2.0 gribberish>=1.5) is required.

Related Datasets

Examples

GFS forecast and analysis, virtual (Github)
GFS forecast and analysis, virtual (Colab) 
import dynamical_catalog  # dynamical-catalog>=0.8.0

ds = dynamical_catalog.open("noaa-gfs-analysis-virtual", chunks=None)
ds["temperature_2m"].sel(time="2025-01-01T00")

# Variables with a vertical dimension live in the pressure_level
# and height_above_mean_sea_level groups
ds_pressure = dynamical_catalog.open("noaa-gfs-analysis-virtual", group="pressure_level", chunks=None)
ds_height = dynamical_catalog.open("noaa-gfs-analysis-virtual", group="height_above_mean_sea_level", chunks=None)

ds_pressure["temperature"].sel(time="2025-01-01T00", pressure_level=500)
NOAA GFS analysis, virtual · Temperature map

Dimensions

min max units
latitude -90 90 degree_north
longitude -180 179.75 degree_east
time 2021-05-01T00:00:00Z Present seconds since 1970-01-01
height_above_mean_sea_level 305 4572 m
pressure_level 0.01 1000 hPa

Variables

Access a variable by its name (the bold identifier, e.g. ds["albedo_surface"]).

Dimensions: time × latitude × longitude

variable units
albedo_surface Forecast albedo (fal)Averaged over the preceding 1-6 hours, since the 00, 06, 12 or 18 UTC hour before this time. 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)Averaged over the preceding 1-6 hours, since the 00, 06, 12 or 18 UTC hour before this time. percent
average_low_cloud_cover Low cloud cover (lcc)Averaged over the preceding 1-6 hours, since the 00, 06, 12 or 18 UTC hour before this time. percent
average_medium_cloud_cover Medium cloud cover (mcc)Averaged over the preceding 1-6 hours, since the 00, 06, 12 or 18 UTC hour before this time. percent
average_precipitation_rate_surface Precipitation rate (prate)Averaged over the preceding 1-6 hours, since the 00, 06, 12 or 18 UTC hour before this time. kg m-2 s-1
average_pressure_high_cloud_bottom Pressure (pres)Averaged over the preceding 1-6 hours, since the 00, 06, 12 or 18 UTC hour before this time. 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)Averaged over the preceding 1-6 hours, since the 00, 06, 12 or 18 UTC hour before this time. 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)Averaged over the preceding 1-6 hours, since the 00, 06, 12 or 18 UTC hour before this time. 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)Averaged over the preceding 1-6 hours, since the 00, 06, 12 or 18 UTC hour before this time. 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)Averaged over the preceding 1-6 hours, since the 00, 06, 12 or 18 UTC hour before this time. 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)Averaged over the preceding 1-6 hours, since the 00, 06, 12 or 18 UTC hour before this time. 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_temperature_high_cloud_top Temperature (t)Averaged over the preceding 1-6 hours, since the 00, 06, 12 or 18 UTC hour before this time. 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)Averaged over the preceding 1-6 hours, since the 00, 06, 12 or 18 UTC hour before this time. 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)Averaged over the preceding 1-6 hours, since the 00, 06, 12 or 18 UTC hour before this time. 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)Averaged over the preceding 1-6 hours, since the 00, 06, 12 or 18 UTC hour before this time. percent
best_4_layer_lifted_index_surface Best (4-layer) lifted index (4lftx) K
categorical_freezing_rain_surface Categorical freezing rain (cfrzr)Averaged over the preceding 1-6 hours, since the 00, 06, 12 or 18 UTC hour before this time. 0=no; 1=yes. 1
categorical_ice_pellets_surface Categorical ice pellets (cicep)Averaged over the preceding 1-6 hours, since the 00, 06, 12 or 18 UTC hour before this time. 0=no; 1=yes. 1
categorical_rain_surface Categorical rain (crain)Averaged over the preceding 1-6 hours, since the 00, 06, 12 or 18 UTC hour before this time. 0=no; 1=yes. 1
categorical_snow_surface Categorical snow (csnow)Averaged over the preceding 1-6 hours, since the 00, 06, 12 or 18 UTC hour before this time. 0=no; 1=yes. 1
clear_sky_uv_b_downward_solar_flux_surface Clear sky UV-B downward solar flux (cduvb)Averaged over the preceding 1-6 hours, since the 00, 06, 12 or 18 UTC hour before this time. The UV-B portion of the downward shortwave flux at the surface, covering 263-345 nm, computed with clouds removed. W m-2
cloud_mixing_ratio_model_level_1 Cloud mixing ratio (clwmr)GFS model level 1, the lowest native hybrid sigma-pressure layer, immediately above the ground. kg kg-1
cloud_water_atmosphere Cloud water (cwat) kg m-2
cloud_work_function_atmosphere Cloud work function (cwork)Averaged over the preceding 1-6 hours, since the 00, 06, 12 or 18 UTC hour before this time. J kg-1
composite_reflectivity Maximum/Composite radar reflectivity (refc)-20 dBZ means no echo was detected. dBZ
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_90_0mb Convective available potential energy (cape) 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_90_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)Accumulated over the preceding 1-6 hours, since the 00, 06, 12 or 18 UTC hour before this time. kg m-2
derived_radar_reflectivity_1000m Derived radar reflectivity (refd)-20 dBZ means no echo was detected. dBZ
derived_radar_reflectivity_4000m Derived radar reflectivity (refd)-20 dBZ means no echo was detected. dBZ
derived_radar_reflectivity_model_level_1 Derived radar reflectivity (refd)GFS model level 1, the lowest native hybrid sigma-pressure layer, immediately above the ground. -20 dBZ means no echo was detected. dBZ
derived_radar_reflectivity_model_level_2 Derived radar reflectivity (refd)GFS model level 2, the second native hybrid sigma-pressure layer above the ground. -20 dBZ means no echo was detected. dBZ
dew_point_temperature_2m 2 metre dewpoint temperature (2d) degree_Celsius
downward_long_wave_radiation_flux_surface Surface downward long-wave radiation flux (sdlwrf)Averaged over the preceding 1-6 hours, since the 00, 06, 12 or 18 UTC hour before this time. W m-2
downward_short_wave_radiation_flux_surface Surface downward short-wave radiation flux (sdswrf)Averaged over the preceding 1-6 hours, since the 00, 06, 12 or 18 UTC hour before this time. W m-2
eastward_gravity_wave_surface_stress Eastward gravity wave surface stress (lgws)Averaged over the preceding 1-6 hours, since the 00, 06, 12 or 18 UTC hour before this time. 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
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_surface Geopotential height (gh) m
geopotential_height_tropopause Geopotential height (gh) m
graupel_model_level_1 Graupel (snow pellets) (grle)GFS model level 1, the lowest native hybrid sigma-pressure layer, immediately above the ground. kg kg-1
ground_heat_flux_surface Ground heat flux (gflux)Averaged over the preceding 1-6 hours, since the 00, 06, 12 or 18 UTC hour before this time. 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
high_cloud_cover High cloud cover (hcc) percent
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)The fraction of the cell covered by floating ice, taking any value between 0 and 1. 1
ice_growth_rate_10m_amsl Ice growth rate (iceg)Rate of marine icing accretion on a vessel superstructure. m s-1
ice_temperature_surface Sea ice surface temperature (sist)Temperature of the ice surface, covering lake ice as well as sea ice despite the source parameter name. NaN where there is no ice. degree_Celsius
ice_thickness_surface Ice thickness (icetk) m
ice_water_mixing_ratio_model_level_1 Ice water mixing ratio (icmr)GFS model level 1, the lowest native hybrid sigma-pressure layer, immediately above the ground. kg kg-1
instantaneous_categorical_freezing_rain_surface Categorical freezing rain (cfrzr)0=no; 1=yes. 1
instantaneous_categorical_ice_pellets_surface Categorical ice pellets (cicep)0=no; 1=yes. 1
instantaneous_categorical_rain_surface Categorical rain (crain)0=no; 1=yes. 1
instantaneous_categorical_snow_surface Categorical snow (csnow)0=no; 1=yes. 1
instantaneous_precipitation_convective_surface Convective precipitation rate (cpr) kg m-2 s-1
instantaneous_total_cloud_cover_atmosphere Total cloud cover (tcc) percent
land_sea_mask_surface Land-sea mask (lsm) 1
latent_heat_flux_surface Latent heat flux (lhf)Averaged over the preceding 1-6 hours, since the 00, 06, 12 or 18 UTC hour before this time. 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
low_cloud_cover Low cloud cover (lcc) percent
maximum_temperature_2m Maximum temperature (tmax)Maximum value over the preceding 1-6 hours, since the 00, 06, 12 or 18 UTC hour before this time. degree_Celsius
medium_cloud_cover Medium cloud cover (mcc) percent
minimum_temperature_2m Minimum temperature (tmin)Minimum value over the preceding 1-6 hours, since the 00, 06, 12 or 18 UTC hour before this time. degree_Celsius
momentum_flux_u_component_surface Momentum flux, u-component (uflx)Averaged over the preceding 1-6 hours, since the 00, 06, 12 or 18 UTC hour before this time. 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)Averaged over the preceding 1-6 hours, since the 00, 06, 12 or 18 UTC hour before this time. 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
northward_gravity_wave_surface_stress Northward gravity wave surface stress (mgws)Averaged over the preceding 1-6 hours, since the 00, 06, 12 or 18 UTC hour before this time. 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
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
precipitable_water_atmosphere Precipitable water (pwat) kg m-2
precipitation_convective_surface Convective precipitation rate (cpr)Averaged over the preceding 1-6 hours, since the 00, 06, 12 or 18 UTC hour before this time. kg m-2 s-1
precipitation_rate_surface Precipitation rate (prate) 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 means the source does not provide a convective cloud base pressure at this cell; this can occur even when convective_cloud_cover is nonzero. Pa
pressure_convective_cloud_top Pressure (pres)NaN means the source does not provide a convective cloud top pressure at this cell; this can occur even when convective_cloud_cover is nonzero. 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_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
rain_mixing_ratio_model_level_1 Rain mixing ratio (rwmr)GFS model level 1, the lowest native hybrid sigma-pressure layer, immediately above the ground. kg kg-1
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)Averaged over the preceding 1-6 hours, since the 00, 06, 12 or 18 UTC hour before this time. W m-2
snow_mixing_ratio_model_level_1 Snow mixing ratio (snmr)GFS model level 1, the lowest native hybrid sigma-pressure layer, immediately above the ground. kg kg-1
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 open water. degree_Celsius
soil_temperature_100_200cm Soil temperature (sot)NaN over open water. degree_Celsius
soil_temperature_10_40cm Soil temperature (sot)NaN over open water. degree_Celsius
soil_temperature_40_100cm Soil temperature (sot)NaN over open water. degree_Celsius
soil_type_surface Soil type (slt)Soil texture class from the 16 category STATSGO classification used by the GFS Noah land surface model, and 0 over water. Interpolation to this grid leaves values between the integer class codes, so a value is not exactly a class number. 1
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. 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_60_30mb Temperature (t)The 60-30 mb in the name are pressure differences from the surface, not isobaric levels. 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)Averaged over the preceding 1-6 hours, since the 00, 06, 12 or 18 UTC hour before this time. 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)Accumulated over the preceding 1-6 hours, since the 00, 06, 12 or 18 UTC hour before this time. 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)Averaged over the preceding 1-6 hours, since the 00, 06, 12 or 18 UTC hour before this time. W m-2
upward_long_wave_radiation_flux_top_of_atmosphere Upward long-wave radiation flux (ulwrf)Averaged over the preceding 1-6 hours, since the 00, 06, 12 or 18 UTC hour before this time. W m-2
upward_short_wave_radiation_flux_surface Surface upward short-wave radiation flux (suswrf)Averaged over the preceding 1-6 hours, since the 00, 06, 12 or 18 UTC hour before this time. W m-2
upward_short_wave_radiation_flux_top_of_atmosphere Upward short-wave radiation flux (uswrf)Averaged over the preceding 1-6 hours, since the 00, 06, 12 or 18 UTC hour before this time. W m-2
uv_b_downward_solar_flux_surface UV-B downward solar flux (duvb)Averaged over the preceding 1-6 hours, since the 00, 06, 12 or 18 UTC hour before this time. 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
vegetation_surface Vegetation fraction (veg)NaN over water. percent
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)Accumulated over the preceding 1-6 hours, since the 00, 06, 12 or 18 UTC hour before this time. 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_20m U component of wind (u) 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_30m U component of wind (u) m s-1
wind_u_40m U component of wind (u) m s-1
wind_u_50m U component of wind (u) 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_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_20m V component of wind (v) 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_30m V component of wind (v) m s-1
wind_v_40m V component of wind (v) m s-1
wind_v_50m V component of wind (v) 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_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: 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
Pressure Level (16 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: time × latitude × longitude × pressure_level

variable units
absolute_vorticity Absolute vorticity (absv) s-1
cloud_cover Fraction of cloud cover (cc)Published only from 1000 to 50 hPa. The 18 levels above 50 hPa are NaN at every step. percent
cloud_mixing_ratio Cloud mixing ratio (clwmr)Published only from 1000 to 50 hPa. The 18 levels above 50 hPa are NaN at every step. kg kg-1
geopotential_height Geopotential height (gh) m
graupel Graupel (snow pellets) (grle)Published only from 1000 to 50 hPa. The 18 levels above 50 hPa are NaN at every step. kg kg-1
ice_water_mixing_ratio Ice water mixing ratio (icmr)Published only from 1000 to 50 hPa. The 18 levels above 50 hPa are NaN at every step. kg kg-1
ozone_mixing_ratio Ozone mixing ratio (o3mr)Not published at the 16 levels 125, 175, 225, 275, 325, 375, 425, 475, 525, 575, 625, 675, 725, 775, 825 and 875 hPa, which are NaN at every step. kg kg-1
rain_mixing_ratio Rain mixing ratio (rwmr)Published only from 1000 to 50 hPa. The 18 levels above 50 hPa are NaN at every step. kg kg-1
relative_humidity Relative humidity (r) percent
snow_mixing_ratio Snow mixing ratio (snmr)Published only from 1000 to 50 hPa. The 18 levels above 50 hPa are NaN at every step. kg kg-1
specific_humidity Specific humidity (q)Not published at the 16 levels 125, 175, 225, 275, 325, 375, 425, 475, 525, 575, 625, 675, 725, 775, 825 and 875 hPa, which are NaN at every step. 1
temperature Temperature (t) degree_Celsius
vertical_velocity Vertical velocity (w) Pa s-1
vertical_velocity_geometric Vertical velocity (geometric) (dzdt) m s-1
wind_u U component of wind (u) m s-1
wind_v V component of wind (v) m s-1

Don't see what you're looking for? Let us know at [email protected].

Details

License

Dataset licensed under CC BY 4.0.

Attribution and citation

NOAA NWS NCEP GFS data processed by dynamical.org from NOAA Open Data Dissemination archives.

Or NOAA GFS from dynamical.org.

DOI

Construction

GFS starts a new model run every 6 hours and dynamical.org has created this analysis by concatenating the shortest usable forecast step of each run along the time dimension. Instantaneous variables are read from forecast hours 0 to 5, and variables that describe a preceding window (accumulations, averages and window maxima and minima) are read from forecast hours 1 to 6.

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. Operational data is additionally accessed from NOAA NOMADS.

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
time 1 (1 hour)
latitude 721 (180.25°)
longitude 1440 (360°)
uncompressed 7.9 MiB

Validation report

Review the validation report for variable availability, missing data, known quirks, fill values, value distributions, and sample plots.

📰 Latest update
HRRR fam complete, the validation reports you crave
2026-08-31