dataset · Global
NOAA Global Forecast System (GFS)
NOTE - Upgrade NCEP Global Forecast System to v16.3.0 - Effective November 29, 2022 See notification [HERE](https://www.weather.gov/media/notification/pdf2/scn22-104_gfs.v16.3.0.pdf) <br/> <br/> The Global Forecast System (GFS) is a weather forecast model produced by the National Centers for Environmental Prediction (NCEP). Dozens of atmospheric and land-soil variables are available through this dataset, from temperatures, winds, and precipitation to soil moisture and atmospheric ozone concentra
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Licence: NOAA data disseminated through NODD are open to the public and can be used as desired.<br/> <br/>NOAA makes data openly available to ensure maximum use of our data, and to spur and encourage explorati
Evidence quality: 48.2
Listed in aws-odr public catalogue API on 2026-10-16; relevance/value screened (haiku).
Metadata checked: 2026-10-14T13:20:00.000Z
What's in it
- Data offered docs-verified
- atmospheric and land-soil variables · temperatures · winds · precipitation · soil moisture · atmospheric ozone concentration · GFS Warm Start Initial Conditions (4 cycles per day)
- Coverage docs-verified
- Global
- Resolution docs-verified
- Base grid-point spacing 28 km (18 mi); operational cubed-sphere grid C768 (~13 km); 70 km (44 mi) between grid points for forecasts between one and two weeks
- Update frequency docs-verified
- 4 times a day, every 6 hours starting at midnight UTC
- Access docs-verified
- Free and open; no AWS account required for CLI access (aws s3 ls --no-sign-request). Licence: NOAA open data, attribution requested for unaltered data, no implied NOAA endorsement
Useful for
- Use cases llm-inferred
- Rainfall and wind outlook inputs for construction-phase weather risk planning · Forecast precipitation context for drainage design checks and short-term flood watch · Soil moisture and land-surface state as antecedent-condition context for hydrological modelling
- Audience llm-inferred
- hydrologists · flood risk consultants · drainage engineers · civils engineers
Limitations
- Constraints llm-inferred
- Horizontal resolution coarsens to 70 km (44 mi) between grid points for forecasts between one and two weeks · Global model; no UK-specific tuning or local calibration is stated in the docs · No historical archive time span is stated in the docs · Dataset carries an upgrade notice for NCEP GFS v16.3.0, effective 29 November 2022, so the model version should be checked · Model forecast and analysis output, not observed gauge rainfall
Evidence
- arn:aws:s3:::noaa-gfs-bdp-pds, arn:aws:sns:us-east-1:123901341784:NewGFSObject, arn:aws:s3:::noaa-gfs-warmstart-pds
- https://registry.opendata.aws/noaa-gfs-bdp-pds/
Check upstream coverage, uncertainty and licence before use. Station observations are not forecasts or design levels.