> For the complete documentation index, see [llms.txt](https://docs.jua.ai/llms.txt). Markdown versions of documentation pages are available by appending `.md` to page URLs; this page is available as [Markdown](https://docs.jua.ai/models-and-products/third-party-models/gfs-noaa.md).

# GFS NOAA

The Global Forecast System (GFS) is a global numerical weather prediction model operated by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA).

## Live Forecast Data

* Global coverage at 25km resolution (720x1440 grid)
* Four daily runs (00, 06, 12, 18 UTC)
* Extended prediction horizons up to 16 days
* Real-time data access via [Python SDK](/python-sdk/weather/forecast.md) or [REST API](/api-v2/getting-started.md)

## Technical Specifications

### Available Weather Parameters

GFS uses standardized variable naming conventions. For full details on the naming structure, see [Weather Variable Naming](/python-sdk/weather/naming.md).

| Code    | API Name                                                    | Description                       | Units        |
| ------- | ----------------------------------------------------------- | --------------------------------- | ------------ |
| 2t      | air\_temperature\_at\_height\_level\_2m                     | Air temperature at 2m             | Kelvin       |
| 2d      | dew\_point\_temperature\_at\_height\_level\_2m              | Dew point temperature at 2m       | Kelvin       |
| sp      | surface\_air\_pressure                                      | Surface Pressure                  | Pa           |
| msl     | air\_pressure\_at\_mean\_sea\_level                         | Mean Sea-level Pressure           | Pa           |
| z\_500  | geopotential\_at\_pressure\_level\_50000Pa                  | Geopotential                      | m² s⁻²       |
| skt     | surface\_temperature                                        | Surface Temperature               | Kelvin       |
| 10si    | wind\_speed\_at\_height\_level\_10m                         | Horizontal wind speed at 10m      | m s⁻¹        |
| 10wdir  | wind\_direction\_at\_height\_level\_10m                     | Horizontal wind direction at 10m  | Degrees true |
| 100si   | wind\_speed\_at\_height\_level\_100m                        | Horizontal wind speed at 100m     | m s⁻¹        |
| 100wdir | wind\_direction\_at\_height\_level\_100m                    | Horizontal wind direction at 100m | Degrees true |
| lcc     | cloud\_area\_fraction\_at\_entire\_atmosphere\_low\_type    | Low Cloud Cover                   | %            |
| mcc     | cloud\_area\_fraction\_at\_entire\_atmosphere\_medium\_type | Medium Cloud Cover                | %            |
| hcc     | cloud\_area\_fraction\_at\_entire\_atmosphere\_high\_type   | High Cloud Cover                  | %            |
| ssrd    | surface\_downwelling\_shortwave\_flux\_sum\_1h              | Surface solar downward irradiance | J m⁻²        |
| tp      | precipitation\_amount\_sum\_1h                              | Total Precipitation               | mm m⁻²       |

## Hindcast Data

**Data Access:** Hindcasts are available via [API](/api-v2/getting-started.md) or [SDK](/python-sdk/getting-started.md). For bulk, grid-based access, please contact <support@jua.ai>.

### Current Hindcast Availability

| **Model** | **Spatial Extent**                       | **Temporal Extent**                      | **Forecast Horizon and Resolution**                                                    |
| --------- | ---------------------------------------- | ---------------------------------------- | -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
| GFS       | Global, 25 km resolution (720x1440 grid) | 2023-01-01 - today at 00, 06, 12, 18 UTC | <p>384h forecast<br>- From 1h to 120h: hourly<br>- From 120h to 384h: three-hourly</p> |


---

# Agent Instructions
This documentation is published with GitBook. GitBook is the documentation platform designed so that both humans and AI agents can read, navigate, and reason over technical content effectively. Learn more at gitbook.com.

## Querying This Documentation
If you need additional information that is not directly available in this page, you can query the documentation by asking a question.

Perform an HTTP GET request on the following URL with the `ask` and `goal` query parameters:

```
GET https://docs.jua.ai/models-and-products/third-party-models/gfs-noaa.md?ask=<question>&goal=<user_goal>
```

`ask` is the immediate question: it should be specific, self-contained, and written in natural language.
`goal` is what the user is ultimately trying to achieve, the reason they need the answer. Sharing it helps GitBook give you a better, more relevant answer. A goal is most helpful when it describes the outcome the user wants rather than restating the question. For example, with `ask=how do I create an API token`, a goal like `automate deployments from our CI pipeline` lets GitBook tailor the answer to that use case.

The response will contain a direct answer to the question and relevant excerpts and sources from the documentation.

Use this mechanism when the answer is not explicitly present in the current page, you need clarification or additional context, or you want to retrieve related documentation sections.