GFS v16 model upgrade

Better forecasts and charts

23rd March 2021

GFS v16 upgrade

The Global Forecast System (GFS) was upgraded to version 16 on March 22nd by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA).

The model is used to help produce short to medium range deterministic weather forecasts.

Some of the key changes to the model include:

1) Increase in the number of model vertical layers from 64 to 127 and extension to the model top from the upper stratosphere (~55 km height) to the mesopause (~80 km height). The 33km grid has been replaced with a 25km one.

2) Improvements to the internal physics used inside the model.

3) Improved snowfall location and amounts with longer lead times.

4) Mitigation of the low-level cold bias seen in GFS.v15 during the cool season.

5) Improved ability to capture the temperature profile in shallow, cold air masses.

[Source: National Centers for Environmental Prediction]

GFS chart

GFS 850hPa temperature chart

Charts available on TWO

On TWO a wide range of charts from the GFS model can be viewed.

All charts can be selected on the GFS viewer. The link is:

https://www.theweatheroutlook.com/twodata/gfs.aspx

A selection is also available on the legacy Chart viewer:

https://www.theweatheroutlook.com/twodata/datmdlout.aspx

The charts are fully regenerated 4 times every day. The GMT update start times are 03:30, 09:30, 15:30 and 21:30. They usually take about 90 to 120 minutes to fully complete. 

 

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