Global Repository | Documentation for the Global Forecast System (GFS) Model
Documentation for the Global Forecast System (GFS) Model
Summary
| Model type: | Full physics, three dimensional dynamical model |
| Model timeliness: | Late |
| Model status: | Operational |
| Basins run in: | All basins |
| ATCF TECH identifier: | Deterministic run: AVNO Individual ensemble members: APnn, where n = 01 through 20 Ensemble mean: AEMN |
| Forecast period: | 0 to 192 hours (high resolution) |
| Included in TCGP: | Yes - deterministic run included for all basins: early intensity plots (AL, EP, CP), late
intensity plots (WP, IO, SH) Ensemble track plot included for AL, EP, and CP basins |
| Domain: | Global, model top: 0.3 hPa |
| Vertical coordinate (# of levels): | Sigma pressure hybrid coordinate: near surface sigma levels, blended sigma/constant pressure levels in mid-atmosphere, constant pressure levels above (64 vertical levels) |
| Grid: | Spectral, T574 (effective grid spacing: 27 km) |
| Cumulus parameterization: | Modified Schubert Arakawa Scheme (SAS) with shallow convection |
| Microphysics parameterization: | |
| Boundary layer parameterization: | GFS PBL (non-local mixing) |
| Radiation parameterization: | Longwave: GFDL Rapid Radiative Transfer Model (RRTM) scheme Shortwave: GFDL RRTM2 Radiative constituents: ozone, water vapor, carbon dioxide, methane, nitrous oxide, oxygen, and four types of halocarbons (CFCs) Aerosols treatment: tropospheric and stratospheric (including volcanic aerosols) |
| Treatment of ozone: | Ozone is a prognostic variable, with climatologically-varying sources and sinks |
| Ocean coupling: | No (?) |
| Initialization method: | NCEP GSI hybrid EnKF/var |
| Initial and boundary conditions: | NCEP Global Data Assimilation System (GDAS) |
| Primary contact: | Dr. John Derber, Global Branch Chief (NOAA/NWS/NCEP/EMC) |
| Official model website: | http://www.emc.ncep.noaa.gov/GFS/ |
| Scientific documentation: | http://www.emc.ncep.noaa.gov/GFS/doc.php |
| GFS Products web page: | NCEP's Model Analysis and Guidance (MAG) Portal for the GFS |
Brief Technical Description
Initialization Method
Ensemble
References
This page was last updated 20 December, 2012 by Jonathan Vigh. This page has not yet been reviewed by a member of the GFS model development team.