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 or REST API

Technical Specifications

Available Weather Parameters

GFS uses standardized variable naming conventions. For full details on the naming structure, see Weather Variable Naming.

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 or SDK. For bulk, grid-based access, please contact [e-mail].

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	384h forecast - From 1h to 120h: hourly - From 120h to 384h: three-hourly