Skip to main content
Dataset Overview | National Centers for Environmental Information (NCEI)

Medium Range Forecast (MRF) and Nested Grid Model (NGM)

The Nested Grid Model (NGM) and Medium Range Forecast (MRF) Archive is historical digital data set DSI-6140, archived at the NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information (NCEI). The National Centers for Environmental Prediction (NCEP) of the National Weather Service (NWS) runs a series of computer analyses and forecasts operationally, which use or produce model data. This data set is one of several NCEP sets of model data archived at NCEI. Historical data set DSI-6140 consists of two subgroups of NCEP model data: NGM and MRF for the time period January 1, 1991 through April 15, 1997. Geographic coverage is the 48 contiguous states of the United States of America, plus adjacent waters and southern Canada. Major parameters provided by NGM are ice covered water areas (yes/no), snow covered areas (yes/no), terrain height, mean sea level pressure, convective precipitation, total precipitation, exchange coefficient at surface, upward turbulent flux of sensible heat, upward turbulent flux of water, surface pressure, number of mixed layers next to surface, u component of wind, v component of wind, vertical velocity, specific humidity, and temperature. Parameters provided by MRF are surface temperature, geopotential height, and relative humidity. DSI-6140 is the historical precursor data set to digital data set DSI-6141, NCEP EDAS and GDAS (FNL) Model Data, also archived at NCEI.
  • Cite this dataset when used as a source.
  • NCEI DSI 6140_01
gov.noaa.ncdc:C00413
Order Data
Distribution Formats
  • XML
  • Binary
Ordering Instructions Contact NCEI for other distribution options and instructions.
Distributor NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information
ncei.info@noaa.gov
Dataset Point of Contact Customer Engagement Branch
NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information
1-828-271-4800
ncei.orders@noaa.gov
Time Period 1991-01-01 to 1997-04-15
Spatial Bounding Box Coordinates
West: 172.0
East: -66.0
South: 18.0
North: 72.0
Spatial Coverage Map
Dataset Information
General Documentation
Publication Dates
  • publication: 1991-01-01
Data Presentation Form Digital model - multi-dimensional digital representation of a feature, process, etc.
Dataset Progress Status Historical archive - data has been stored in an offline storage facility
Data Update Frequency Not planned
Supplemental Information
References: Gerrity, J., 1977: The LFM model - 1976: A documentation. NOAA Tech. Memo. NWS NMC 60, 68 pp. Hoke, J.E., N. A. Phillips, G.J. DiMego, J.J. Tuccillo, and J.G. Sela, 1989: The Regional Analysis and Forecast System of the National Meteorological Center, Weather and Forecasting, 4 (323-334). Kanamitsu, M., 1989: Description of the NMC Global Data Assimilation and Forecast System, Weather and Forecasting, 4(335-342). Newell, J.E. and D.G. Deaven, 1981: The LFM-II Model - 1980. NOAA Tech. Memo. NWS NMC 66, U.S. Department of Commerce, Washington, D.C., 20 pp. Petersen, R.A. and J.D. Stackpole, 1989: Overview of the NMC Production Suite, Weather and Forecasting, 4 (313-322). Rolph, G.D. and R.R. Draxler, 1990: Sensitivity of Three-Dimensional Trajectories to the Spatial and Temporal Densities of the Wind Field, Journal of Applied Meteorology, 29 (1043-1054). Sela, J.G., 1980: Spectral modeling at the National Meteorological Center, Mon. Wea. Rev., 108 (1279-1292).
Purpose The analyzed data should provide a better representation of the real atmosphere than observations alone because of limitations in the observations. Some of these limitations are due to measurement error or other instrument problems, and nonuniform spatial and temporal distributions of the observations. At NOAA's Air Resources Laboratory (ARL), the NCEP model data are used for air quality transport and dispersion modeling.
Dataset Citation
  • Cite this dataset when used as a source.
Cited Authors
  • DOC/NOAA/NWS/NCEP > National Centers for Environmental Prediction, National Weather Service, NOAA, U.S. Department of Commerce
Originators
  • DOC/NOAA/NWS/NCEP > National Centers for Environmental Prediction, National Weather Service, NOAA, U.S. Department of Commerce
Publishers
  • NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information
Theme keywords Global Change Master Directory (GCMD) Science Keywords
  • Earth Science > Atmosphere > Altitude > Geopotential Height
  • Earth Science > Atmosphere > Atmospheric Pressure > Sea Level Pressure
  • Earth Science > Atmosphere > Atmospheric Radiation > Heat Flux
  • Earth Science > Atmosphere > Atmospheric Temperature > Surface Temperature > Air Temperature
  • Earth Science > Atmosphere > Atmospheric Water Vapor > Water Vapor Indicators > Humidity > Relative Humidity
  • Earth Science > Atmosphere > Atmospheric Water Vapor > Water Vapor Profiles
  • Earth Science > Atmosphere > Atmospheric Winds > Surface Winds
  • Earth Science > Atmosphere > Atmospheric Winds > Upper Level Winds
  • Earth Science > Atmosphere > Atmospheric Winds > Wind Dynamics > Vertical Wind Velocity/Speed
  • Earth Science > Atmosphere > Precipitation > Precipitation Amount
  • Earth Science > Land Surface > Topography > Terrain Elevation > Digital Elevation/Terrain Model (DEM)
  • Earth Science > Terrestrial Hydrosphere > Snow/Ice > Lake Ice
  • Earth Science > Terrestrial Hydrosphere > Snow/Ice > River Ice
  • Earth Science > Climate Indicators > Cryospheric Indicators > Sea Ice Concentration
Place keywords Global Change Master Directory (GCMD) Location Keywords
  • Continent > North America > United States Of America
Use Constraints
  • Cite this dataset when used as a source.
  • Use liability: NOAA and NCEI cannot provide any warranty as to the accuracy, reliability, or completeness of furnished data. Users assume responsibility to determine the usability of these data. The user is responsible for the results of any application of this data for other than its intended purpose.
Access Constraints
  • Distribution liability: NOAA and NCEI make no warranty, expressed or implied, regarding these data, nor does the fact of distribution constitute such a warranty. NOAA and NCEI cannot assume liability for any damages caused by any errors or omissions in these data. If appropriate, NCEI can only certify that the data it distributes are an authentic copy of the records that were accepted for inclusion in the NCEI archives.
Fees
  • In most cases, electronic downloads of the data are free. However, fees may apply for custom orders, data certifications, copies of analog materials, and data distribution on physical media.
Lineage information for: dataset
Lineage Statement
Lineage information for: repository
Processing Steps
  • 2015-04-22T00:00:00 - NOAA created the National Centers for Environmental Information (NCEI) by merging NOAA's National Climatic Data Center (NCDC), National Geophysical Data Center (NGDC), and National Oceanographic Data Center (NODC), including the National Coastal Data Development Center (NCDDC), per the Consolidated and Further Continuing Appropriations Act, 2015, Public Law 113-235. NCEI launched publicly on April 22, 2015.
Last Modified: 2023-06-23
For questions about the information on this page, please email: ncei.info@noaa.gov