This is the first post in a Weather Model Roundup series. This one is about the GFS. In the future, I will be posting data on the NAM, RUC, and NOGAPS models.
(Wikipedia) The Global Forecast System (GFS) is global numerical weather prediction model run by NOAA. This model is run four times a day and produces forecasts up 16 days in advance, but with decreasing spatial and temporal resolution over time (it is widely accepted that beyond 7 days the forecast is little better than guesswork).
The model is run in two parts: the first part has a higher resolution and goes out to 180 hours (7 days) in the future, the second part runs from 180 to 384 hours (16 days) at a lower resolution. The resolution of the model varies in each part of the model: horizontally, it divides the surface of the earth into 35 or 70 kilometre grid squares; vertically, it divides the atmosphere into 64 layers and temporally, it produces a forecast for every 3rd hour for the first 180 hours, after that they are produced for every 12th hour.
Since the GFS is the most commonly used model, most of my blog posts will be heavily biased to this model.
GFS Model Sites
National Center for Atmospheric Research GFS Model Page
GFS Model Data for Specific Sites Throughout The Region
Wilmington (New Castle County Airport) – KILG
Dover (Dover Air Force Base) – KDOV
Georgetown (Sussex County Airport) – KGED
Philadelphia (Philadelphia International Airport) – KPHL
Baltimore (Baltimore-Washing International Airport) – KBWI
GFS Precipitation Type and Amount Predications
Filed under: Models
