NOAA National Digital Forecast Database (NDFD)

Description

The National Digital Forecast Database (NDFD) is a suite of gridded forecasts of sensible weather elements (e.g., cloud cover, maximum temperature). Forecasts prepared by NWS field offices working in collaboration with the National Centers for Environmental Prediction (NCEP) are combined in the NDFD to create a seamless mosaic of digital forecasts from which operational NWS products are generated. The most recent data is under the opnl and expr prefixes. A copy is also placed under the wmo prefix. The wmo prefix is structured like so: wmo/<parameter>/<year>/<month>/<day>/<wmo-file-name> The wmo filename codes can be deciphered using the spreadsheet in the root of the bucket.

Update Frequency

As often as once every half hour (varies by forecast element, forecast projection, and domain)

License

Open Data. There are no restrictions on the use of this data.

Documentation

https://www.weather.gov/mdl/ndfd_home, https://www.weather.gov/mdl/ndfd_info (For NDFD Product information, instructions, and lookup tables)

Managed By

See all datasets managed by NOAA.

Contact

For any questions regarding data delivery not associated with this platform or any general questions regarding the NOAA Big Data Program, email noaa.bdp@noaa.gov.
We also seek to identify case studies on how NOAA data is being used and will be featuring those stories in joint publications and in upcoming events. If you are interested in seeing your story highlighted, please share it with the NOAA BDP team here: noaa.bdp@noaa.gov

Usage Examples

Publications

• NDFD Product Spreadsheet (excel file) by NOAA MDL