Master Parameter Table
201110110856
current
001
pres
pres
Commonly used for atmospheric pressure, the pressure exerted by the atmosphere as a consequence of
gravitational attraction exerted upon the "column" of air lying directly above the point in question.
pa
current
002
pres_reduced
pres_reduced
The conversion of an observed pressure value to the value it would theortically have at mean sea
level.
pa
current
003
pres_tend
pres_tend
no definition available
Pa/s
listed
005
icao_std_atmos
icao_std_atmos
A hypothetical vertical distribution of atmospheric tmeperature, pressure, and density that, by
internation agreement,
is taken to be representative of the atmosphere. (AMS glossary)
m
listed
006
geop
geop
The potential energy of a unit mass relative to sea level, numerically equal to the work that would
be done in lifting the unit mass from sea level to the height at which the mass is located. (AMS glossary)
m2/s2
listed
007
geop_ht
geop_ht
The height of a given point in the atmosphere in units proportional to the potential energy of unit
mas (geopotential) at this height relative to sea level.
gpm
current
008
height
height
The geometric height of layer or surface.
m
listed
009
ht_std_dev
ht_std_dev
no description available.
m
listed
010
total_ozone
total_ozone
The total quantity of ozone integrated in a column from the top of the atmosphere to the surface.
dobson
current
011
air_temp
air_temp
The degree of hotness or coldness measured against a definite scale, in this case for the atmosphere.
deg_K
current
012
virt_air_temp
virt_air_temp
Temperature that dry air would have if its pressure and density were equal to those of a given sample
of moist air.
deg_K
listed
013
ptnl_temp
ptnl_temp
The temperature an unsaturated parcel of dry air would have if brought adiabatically and reversibly
from its initial state to a standard pressure.
deg_K
listed
014
eq_ptnl_temp
eq_ptnl_temp
A thermodynamic quantity, with its natural logarithm proportional to the entropy of moist air, that
is conserved in a reversible moist adiabatic process. (AMS Glossary)
degK
listed
015
max_air_temp
max_air_temp
The greatest air temperature in a given period of time.
deg_K
current
016
min_air_temp
min_air_temp
The lowest air temperature in a given period of time.
deg_K
current
017
dwpt_temp
dwpt_temp
The temperature to which a given parcel of air must be cooled at constant pressure and water vapor
content in order for saturation to occur.
deg_K
listed
018
dwpt_dprs
dwpt_dprs
The quantity of difference between the air temperature and the dewpoint temperature.
deg_K
current
019
temp_lapse_rate
temp_lapse_rate
The decrease of atmospheric temperature with height.
deg_K/m
current
020
visib
visib
The greatest distance in which it is just possible to see and identify with the unaided eye 1) in the
daytime, a prominent dark object against the sky at the horizon, and 2) at night, a known, preferably unfocused,
moderately intense light source.
m
current
021
rad_spect_one
rad_spect_one
no definition available.
none
listed
022
rad_spect_two
rad_spect_two
no definition available.
none
listed
023
rad_spect_three
rad_spect_three
no definition available.
none
listed
024
prcl_lift_indx
prcl_lift_indx
no definition available.
degK
listed
025
temp_anom
temp_anom
no definition available.
degK
listed
026
pres_anom
pres_anom
no definition available.
m
listed
027
temp_dif
temp_dif
The difference between the standard atmosphere temperature (day) at a level and the measured air
temperature at the same level.
deg_K
current
028
wav_spectra1
wav_spectra1
no definition available.
numeric
listed
029
wav_spectra2
wav_spectra2
no definition available.
numeric
listed
030
wav_spectra3
wav_spectra3
no definition available.
numeric
listed
031
wnd_dir
wnd_dir
The angle, measured in a clockwise direction, between true north and the direction from which the
wind is blowing.
deg_true
current
032
wnd_spd
wnd_spd
The ratio of the distance covered by the air to the time taken to cover it.
m/s
current
033
wnd_ucmp
wnd_ucmp
The east-west component of the wind which is relative to the east-west axis of the grid. (This is
true east for spherical and mercator but not for lambert conformal and others.)
m/s
current
034
wnd_vcmp
wnd_vcmp
The north-south componenet of the wind which is relative to the north-south axis of the grid. (This
is true east for spherical and mercator but not for lambert conformal and others.)
m/s
current
035
strm_func
strm_func
The stream function of the geostrophic wind on a constant-pressure surface.
m2/s
current
036
vel_ptnl
vel_ptnl
A scalar function with its gradient equal to the velocity vector u of an irrotational flow.
m2/s
current
037
montg_strm_func
montg_strm_func
The stream function of the geostrophic wind on an isentropic surface.
m2/s
listed
038
sigma_coord_vert_vel
sigma_coord_vert_vel
The stream function of the geostrophic wind on an isentropic surface.
1/s
listed
039
wnd_vert_vel
wnd_vert_vel
The estimated vertical rate of movement of air relative to pressure coordinates.
pa/s
current
040
wnd_wcmp
wnd_wcmp
The estimated vertical rate of movement of air relative to geospatial coordinates.
m/s
current
041
abs_vort
abs_vort
The rotation, usually around the vertical axis, of a fluid particle determined with respect to an
absolute coordinate system.
1/s
current
042
div
div
The estimated rate of horizontal expansion of the vector wind components, about an absolute refence
system.
1/s
current
043
rltv_vort
rltv_vort
The estimated rate of horizontal expansion of the vector wind components, measured in a system
relative to the earth's surface.
1/s
current
044
rel_div
rel_div
The stream function of the geostrophic wind on an isentropic surface.
1/s
listed
045
vert_ucmp_shr
vert_ucmp_shr
no defintion available.
1/s
listed
046
vert_vcmp_shr
vert_vcmp_shr
no definition available.
1/s
listed
047
curr_dir
curr_dir
no definition available.
degTrue
listed
048
curr_spd
curr_spd
no definition available.
m/s
listed
049
curr_ucmp
curr_ucmp
The west-east (u) motion of an ocean current.
m/s
current
050
curr_vcmp
curr_vcmp
The south-north (v) motion of an ocean current.
m/s
current
051
spec_hum
spec_hum
In a system of moist air, the (dimensionless) ratio of the mass of water vapor to the total mass of
the system (AMS).
kg/kg
current
052
rltv_hum
rltv_hum
The ratio of the vapor pressure to the staturation vapor pressure with respect to water (AMS).
%
current
053
mix_ratio
mix_ratio
The ratio of the mass of water vapor to the mass of dry air.
kg/kg
current
054
prcp_h2o
prcp_h2o
Total atmospheric water vapor in a vertical column unit cross-sectional area between two levels.
kg/m2
current
055
vpr_pres
vpr_pres
The partial pressure of water vapor in the atmosphere.
pa
current
056
sat_def
sat_def
The measure between the layer of saturation thickness and the actual thickness of a layer.
Pa
listed
057
evap
evap
The rate of change from liquid water to the gaseous state over a time period.
kg/m2
listed
058
cld_ice
cld_ice
Column total of condensed frozen cloud water.
mg/m2
current
059
rain_rate
rain_rate
The measure of the averate rate of rain occurring at a location.
kg/m2/s
current
060
tstm_prob
tstm_prob
no definition available.
%
listed
061
ttl_prcp
ttl_prcp
The estimated depth of the precipitation (water equivalent) that is forecast to accumulate in a
specified period of time (accumulation period), for all precipitation types and both convective and
non-convective. The accumulation period varies over the forecast period (taus). For NOGAPS: the accumulation
starts at the base time and every 12 hours the 'bucket' is emptied (a bucket tip) and the accumulation starts
again (12, 24, 36, ...). A grid is created at each bucket tip and at three hour intervals between them. The four
grids created over one bucket tip period have accumulation periods of 3, 6, 9 and 12 hours. To determine the
possible taus for a given accumulation period use taus = A + (n-1)B; where A is the accumulation period, B is
the bucket tip, and n is the number grids desired. For COAMPS: the accumulation starts at the base time and is
never emptied (infinite bucket tip). Grids are made at one hour intervals with the accumulation period equal to
the forecast period (tau).
kg/m2
current
062
stab_prcp
stab_prcp
The estimated depth of the precipitation (water equivalent) that accumulated in twelve hours from a
non-convective or stable precipitation source. Here the accumulation starts at the base time and every 12 hours
the 'bucket' is emptied and the accumulation starts again (0, 12, 24, 36, ...). A grid is created at each bucket
tip and at three hour intervals between them. (NOGAPS)
kg/m2
current
063
conv_prcp
conv_prcp
The estimated depth of the precipitation (water equivalent) that accumulated in twelve hours from a
convective precipitation source. Here the accumulation starts at the base time and every 12 hours the 'bucket'
is emptied and the accumulation starts again (0, 12, 24, 36, ...). A grid is created at each bucket tip and at
three hour intervals between them. (NOGAPS)
kg/m2
current
064
snwfl_rt_wtr_eq
snwfl_rt_wtr_eq
The estimated snowfall rate in water equivalency.
kg/m2/s
listed
065
ttl_snow
ttl_snow
The estimated depth of the snow (water equivalent) that accumulated over a fixed period of time
(accumulation period). The accumulation period is the same
regardless of the forecast period. (When the accumulation period ends, a snap-shot is taken (grid made), and
then the accumulation is set to zero (the bucket tip). The accumulation
begins again for the next accumulation period.) The accumulation period and the bucket tip are exactly the same
for each grid. Grids are available at forecast hours that are multiples
of the accumulation period. One or more accumulation periods should be specified in the request. If no period
attribute is specified, the response will contain all grids for each
accumulation period for that forecast hour. If period attribute is specified, the response will contain data
only if the specified period matches one of the accumulation periods
for that forecast hour. For COAMPS, the accumulation period is every 3 hours. For NOGAPS/Ensemble, the
accumulation period is every 6 hours.
kg/m2
current
066
snw_dpth
snw_dpth
The estimated depth of snow on the ground.
m
current
067
pbl_depth
pbl_depth
1. (atmosphere) The height of the top of the lowest layer of the troposphere in contact with the
earth's surface (often capped by a temperature inversion). 2. (ocean) The mixed layer depth in the ocean.
m
current
068
trans_thcln_dpth
trans_thcln_dpth
The depth of the layer of water that varies between the warmer surface zone and the colder deep zone
of a thermally stratified body of water. In the thermocline, temperature decreases rapidly with depth.
m
listed
069
main_thcln_dpth
main_thcln_dpth
The depth of the layer of water between the warmer surface zone and the colder deep zone of a
thermally stratified body of water. In the thermocline, temperature decreases rapidly with depth.
m
listed
070
main_thcln_anom
main_thcln_anom
The depth of changes in the layer of water between the warmer surface zone and the colder deep zone
of a thermally stratified body of water. In the thermocline, temperature decreases rapidly with depth.
m
listed
071
ttl_cld_cvr
ttl_cld_cvr
no definition available
fraction
current
072
conv_cld
conv_cld
The estimated rate of the sky dome that is covered by convective clouds.
fraction
current
073
low_cld_cvr
low_cld_cvr
The estimated percentage of the sky dome that is covered by all low level clouds.
fraction
current
074
mid_cld_cvr
mid_cld_cvr
The estimated percentage of the sky dome that is covered by all middle level clouds.
fraction
current
075
hi_cld_cvr
hi_cld_cvr
The estimated percentage of the sky dome that is covered by all high level clouds.
fraction
current
076
cld_wtr
cld_wtr
Column total of condensed liquid cloud water.
mg/m2
current
077
bst_lift_indx
bst_lift_indx
no definition available.
degK
listed
078
snw_conv
snw_conv
The quantity of snow precipitation that is estimated to occur over a period of time due to a
convective precipitation source.
kg/m2
listed
079
snw_lge_scl
snw_lge_scl
The total measure of snow expected from a large scale precipitation source.
kg/m2
listed
080
sea_temp
sea_temp
The temperature of the water at the ocean surface.
deg_K
current
081
land_sea
land_sea
A representation of the earth's surface denoting if a point is land (1) or water (0).
numeric
current
082
dev_sea_lvl_mn
dev_sea_lvl_mn
no definition available.
m
listed
083
roughness_len
roughness_len
The height above the displacement plane at which the mean wind becomes zero when extrapolating the
logarithmic wind-speed profile downward through the surface layer. (AMS Glossary)
m
current
084
albedo
albedo
The ratio of reflected over incoming flux density.
fraction
listed
085
soil_temp
soil_temp
The temperature of the soil at a specific depth.
deg_K
listed
087
veg_covr
veg_covr
no definition available.
%
listed
088
sal
sal
A measure of the quantity of dissolved salts in seawater. (AMS GLOSSARY)
kg/kg
current
089
dens
dens
no definition available.
kg/m3
listed
090
wtr_roff
wtr_roff
The quantity of water derived from precipitation that ultimately reaches stream channels.
kg/m2
listed
091
ice_cvrg
ice_cvrg
no definition available
fraction
current
092
ice_thkn
ice_thkn
no definition available
m
listed
093
dir_ice_drft
dir_ice_drft
The angle, measured in a clockwise direction, between true north and the direction in which ice has
drifted on the water's surface during the previous 12 hours.
degTrue
listed
094
spd_ice_drft
spd_ice_drft
no definition available.
m/s
listed
095
ice_drft_ucmp
ice_drft_ucmp
The estimated rate of movement of the ice in the west-east direction.
m/s
listed
096
ice_drft_vcmp
ice_drft_vcmp
The estimated rate of movement of the ice in the south-north direction.
m/s
listed
097
ice_grth
ice_grth
no definition available
m/s
listed
098
ice_div
ice_div
no definition available
1/s
listed
099
snw_melt
snw_melt
The estimated melting rate of snow on the ground.
kg/m2
listed
100
sig_wav_ht
sig_wav_ht
(ocean wave forecasting) A fictitious wave with a height and period equal to the average height of
the highest third of the actual waves that pass a fixed point.
m
current
101
wnd_wav_dir
wnd_wav_dir
The direction of wave spectra which is under the influence of the local wind.
deg
current
102
wnd_wav_ht
wnd_wav_ht
no definition available
m
current
103
wnd_wav_per
wnd_wav_per
The mean direction of the frequency wave spectra which is under the influence of the local wind, then
take the inverse.
s
current
104
swl_wav_dir
swl_wav_dir
The direction of waves that are not under the influence of the local wind (swell waves).
deg
current
105
swl_wav_ht
swl_wav_ht
no definition available
m
current
106
swl_wav_per
swl_wav_per
An averate time interval between successive crests of those waves that are not under the influence of
local wind (swell waves).
s
current
107
pr_wav_dir
pr_wav_dir
The angle measured clockwise from true north to the direction from which the primary waves are
coming.
deg
current
108
pr_wav_per
pr_wav_per
The quantity of time required for two successive primary wave crests to pass a fixed point.
s
current
109
scdy_wav_dir
scdy_wav_dir
The angle measured clockwise from true north to the direction from which secondary waves are coming.
deg
current
110
scdy_wav_per
scdy_wav_per
The quantity of time required for two successive secondary wave crests to pass a fixed point.
s
current
111
sol_rad
sol_rad
The incoming instantaneous shortwave radiation from the sun.
W/m2
current
112
ir_flux
ir_flux
Net infrared heat flux
W/m2
current
113
net_shtwav_rad_flux_toa
net_shtwav_rad_flux_toa
no definition available.
W/m2
listed
114
net_lngwav_rad_flux_toa
net_lngwav_rad_flux_toa
no definition available.
W/m2
listed
115
lngwav_rad_flux
lngwav_rad_flux
no definition available.
W/m2
listed
116
shtwav_rad_flux
shtwav_rad_flux
no definition available.
W/m2
listed
117
global_rad_flux
global_rad_flux
no definition available.
W/m2
listed
118
bri_temp
bri_temp
no definition available.
K
listed
121
ltnt_heat_flux
ltnt_heat_flux
The estimated rate of heat flow per unit mass for a system in a reversible, isobaric-isotheric change
of phase.
W/m2
current
122
snsb_heat_flux
snsb_heat_flux
The estimated rate of the flow of heat between two bodies.
W/m2
current
123
bdy_layer_diss
bdy_layer_diss
no definition available.
W/m2
listed
124
wnd_strs_ucmp
wnd_strs_ucmp
The drag force per unit area caused by the wind shear in the u component.
Nt/m2
current
125
wnd_strs_vcmp
wnd_strs_vcmp
The drag force per unit area caused by the wind shear in the v component.
Nt/m2
current
126
wnd_mix_energy
wnd_mix_energy
no definition available.
J
listed
128
duct_base_ht
duct_base_ht
The electromagnetic duct base (or lower) height.
m
current
129
duct_strength
duct_strength
The difference between the modified refractivity (M units) at the top of a duct and the trapping
layer base height (M max).
numeric
current
130
qstar
qstar
Represents a potential, positive if surface has more moisture than air layer, negative if air layer
has more moisture than surface.
kg/kg
current
131
tstar
tstar
no definition available
deg_K
current
132
grad_mod_refr
grad_mod_refr
The gradient of modified refractivity (dm/dz).
1/ft
current
133
grnd_sea_temp
grnd_sea_temp
The temperature of the earth's skin, consisting of the ocean surface and land surface at the bottom
of the atmosphere.
deg_K
current
134
geop_ht_mn
geop_ht_mn
The mean height of points in the atmsophere expressed in units proportional to the geopotential of
those heights.
gpm
current
135
cld_base
cld_base
The estimated height, relative to mean sea level, of the lower surface of a cloud layer.
m
current
136
cld_top_temp
cld_top_temp
no definition available
deg_K
current
137
aero_vis_rng
aero_vis_rng
The greatest distance in a given direction at which it is just possible to see an object with the
unaided eye in platform and target layers.
m
current
138
clr_air_turb
clr_air_turb
Scaled Elrod clear air turbulence index.
1/s2
current
139
contrail_prbl
contrail_prbl
The contrail formation probability using critical temperature.
%
current
144
geop_ht_24hr_dif
geop_ht_24hr_dif
The change in geopotential height over 24 hours at a given location.
gpm
current
145
dynm_ht
dynm_ht
The height of a point in the atmosphere expressed in a unit proporation to the geopotential at that
point.
m2/s2
current
147
duct_mexcess
duct_mexcess
The difference between the duct strength (modified refractivity or M units) and the magnitude
(M-units) of the layer whose value is obtained from the differenced of the modified refractivity from the
trapping layer base height and the value at the duct base height (or the surface in the case of surface-based
ducts).
numeric
current
148
duct_thickness
duct_thickness
The thickness of the electromagnetic duct from the base, which may be at the surface, to the top of
the layer.
m
current
149
duct_top
duct_top
The height of the top of an electromagnetic duct.
m
current
150
gale_wnd_prob
gale_wnd_prob
The probability of the near surface wind speed being equal to or greater than 34 knots (gale force
winds lower boundary).
fraction
current
152
abs_vort_ens_stdev
abs_vort_ens_stdev
The standard deviation of the absolute vorticity of the ensemble members for a point in time.
1/s
current
153
air_temp_ens_stdev
air_temp_ens_stdev
The standard deviation of the air temperature of the ensemble members for a point in time.
deg_K
current
154
rltv_hum_ens_stdev
rltv_hum_ens_stdev
The standard deviation of the relative humidity of the ensemble members for a point in time.
fraction
current
155
wcap_prbl
wcap_prbl
The percent of occurrence of white caps forming on the crest of waves due to wind.
%
current
156
vrtx_wav
vrtx_wav
no definition available
gpm
current
157
wnd_vect_dif_mgtd
wnd_vect_dif_mgtd
no definition available
m/s
current
158
turb_ke
turb_ke
The mean kinetic energy per unit mass associated with eddies in turbulent flow.
m2/s2
current
159
dust_sfc_concen
dust_sfc_concen
The mass of dust particles in a cubic meter of air.
mg/m3
current
160
tot_dust_optdep
tot_dust_optdep
The optical thickness measured vertically above some given altitude due to the extinction and
scattering by dust particles (integrated).
m/m
deprecated
162
tot_dust_concen
tot_dust_concen
The estimated total density of particulate matter of dust.
mg/m3
current
163
cape
cape
Maximum buoyant energy that an unstable air parcel can aquire.
J/Kg
current
164
cin
cin
Energy needed to overcome atmospheric stability for continued spontaneous convection.
J/Kg
current
165
frozen_rain
frozen_rain
An accumulation of rain that freezes before reaching the ground or transparent or translucent pellets
of ice less than or equal to 5mm in diameter.
Ice pellets usually bounce when hitting hard ground and make a sound upon impact.
These ice pellets can be 1) sleet or grains of ice, generally transparent, globular, solid grains of ice that
have formed from the freezing of raindrops or
the refreezing of largely melted snowflakes when falling though a below-freezing layer of air near the earth's
surface;
2) small hail, generally translucent particles, consisting of snow pellets
(white, opaque, approximately round ice particles having a snowlike structure, and about 2 - 5 mm in diameter)
encased in a thin layer of ice.
The ice layer may form either by the accretion of droplets upon the snow pellet or by the melting and refreezing
of the surface of the snow pellet (AMS).
The estimated depth of frozen rain or ice pellets (water equivalent) that accumulated over a fixed period of
time (accumulation period).
The accumulation period is the same regardless of the forecast period.
(When the accumulation period ends, a snap-shot is taken (grid made), and then the accumulation is set to zero
(the bucket tip). The accumulation begins again for the next accumulation period.)
The accumulation period and the bucket tip are exactly the same for each grid. Grids are available at forecast
hours that are multiples of the accumulation period.
FOR COAMPS the accumulation is over six hours.
kg/m2
current
167
ocn_heat_cntnt
ocn_heat_cntnt
The vertically integrated heat content of the ocean above the reference isotherm (26 deg C).
kJ/cm2
current
171
geop_ht_ens_stdev
geop_ht_ens_stdev
The standard deviation of the geopotential height of the ensemble members for a point in time.
gpm
current
172
prob_sig_wav_ht_gt12ft
prob_sig_wav_ht_gt12ft
The probability that the significant wave height of ocean waves will be greater than 12 ft.
fraction
current
173
prob_sig_wav_ht_gt18ft
prob_sig_wav_ht_gt18ft
The probability that the significant wave height of ocean waves will be greater than 18 ft.
fraction
current
175
evap_duct_ht
evap_duct_ht
The estimated height of a duct formed from evaporation of seawater which begins at sea level and
rises to an elevation (duct height) corresponding to a change in the slope in the index of refraction.
m
current
176
peak_wav_per_ens_stdev
peak_wav_per_ens_stdev
The standard deviation of the peak wave period of the ensemble members for a point in time.
s
current
177
pres_ens_stdev
pres_ens_stdev
The standard deviation of the pressure of the ensemble members for a point in time.
Pa
current
178
sig_wav_ht_ens_stdev
sig_wav_ht_ens_stdev
The standard deviation of the significant wave height of the ensemble members for a point in time.
m
current
179
swl_wav_ht_ens_stdev
swl_wav_ht_ens_stdev
The standard deviation of the swell wave height of the ensemble members for a point in time.
m
current
180
aero_optdep
aero_optdep
The optical thickness measured vertically above some given altitude due to the extinction by aerosol
particles.
numeric
current
181
aero_extinct_part
aero_extinct_part
A coded long integer representing the proportions of sulfate and dust and smoke extinction in the
layer.
numeric
current
182
ozone_mix_ratio
ozone_mix_ratio
The ratio of the mass of a variable atmospheric constituent (here ozone) to the mass of dry air.
kg/kg
current
183
aero_extinct_uv
aero_extinct_uv
The removal by aerosol particles of long infrared radiant energy from an incident beam by the process
of absorption and scattering.
1/km
current
184
aero_extinct_vis
aero_extinct_vis
The removal by aerosol particles of long infrared radiant energy from an incident beam by the process
of absorption and scattering.
1/km
current
185
aero_extinct_nir
aero_extinct_nir
The removal by aerosol particles of long infrared radiant energy from an incident beam by the process
of absorption and scattering.
1/km
current
186
ttl_prcp_ens_stdev
ttl_prcp_ens_stdev
The standard deviation of the total precipitation of the ensemble members for a point in time.
kg/m**2
current
187
aero_extinct_mw
aero_extinct_mw
The removal by aerosol particles of long infrared radiant energy from an incident beam by the process
of absorption and scattering.
1/km
current
188
aero_extinct_lw
aero_extinct_lw
The removal by aerosol particles of long infrared radiant energy from an incident beam by the process
of absorption and scattering.
1/km
current
189
aero_asym_uv
aero_asym_uv
Asymmetry parameter (or asymmetry factor) in each layer at ultraviolet wavelengths. (Asymmetry factor
is a fundamental property of a scattering medium that affects the transfer of radiant energy)
numeric
current
190
aero_asym_vis
aero_asym_vis
Asymmetry parameter (or asymmetry factor) in each layer at visible wavelengths. (Asymmetry factor is
a fundamental property of a scattering medium that affects the transfer of radiant energy)
numeric
current
191
aero_asym_nir
aero_asym_nir
Asymmetry parameter (or asymmetry factor) in each layer at near infrared wavelengths. (Asymmetry
factor is a fundamental property of a scattering medium that affects the transfer of radiant energy)
numeric
current
192
aero_asym_mw
aero_asym_mw
Asymmetry parameter (or asymmetry factor) in each layer at mid infrared wavelengths. (Asymmetry
factor is a fundamental property of a scattering medium that affects the transfer of radiant energy)
numeric
current
193
aero_asym_lw
aero_asym_lw
Asymmetry parameter (or asymmetry factor) in each layer at long infrared wavelengths. (Asymmetry
factor is a fundamental property of a scattering medium that affects the transfer of radiant energy)
numeric
current
194
aero_scatter_uv
aero_scatter_uv
A measure of the extinction due to scattering of ultraviolet radiation as it traverses a medium
containing scattering particles (scattering coefficient).
1/km
current
195
aero_scatter_vis
aero_scatter_vis
A measure of the extinction due to scattering of visible radiation as it traverses a medium
containing scattering particles (scattering coefficient).
1/km
current
196
aero_scatter_nir
aero_scatter_nir
A measure of the extinction due to scattering of near infrared radiation as it traverses a medium
containing scattering particles (scattering coefficient).
1/km
current
198
aero_optdep_sm
aero_optdep_sm
The optical thickness measured vertically above some given altitude due to the extinction and
scattering by smoke particles (integrated).
numeric
current
199
aero_optdep_su
aero_optdep_su
The optical thickness measured vertically above some given altitude due to the extinction and
scattering by sulfate aerosols (integrated).
numeric
current
200
aero_optdep_sa
aero_optdep_sa
The optical thickness measured vertically above some given altitude due to the extinction and
scattering by salt particles (integrated).
numeric
current
201
aero_optdep_du
aero_optdep_du
The optical thickness measured vertically above some given altitude due to the extinction and
scattering by dust particles (integrated).
numeric
current
202
temp_grad
temp_grad
The rate of variation in temperature in a medium (salt water) over a specified distance (ocean
surface to bottom).
deg_K/m
current
206
freezing_rain
freezing_rain
The estimated depth of mixed sleet (rain and snow) or rain (falls in liquid form) that freezes upon
impact to form a coating of glaze upon the ground and on exposed objects
(AMS Glossary, water equivalent) that accumulated over a fixed period of time (accumulation period).
The accumulation period is the same regardless of the forecast period. (When the accumulation period ends, a
snap-shot is taken (grid made),
and then the accumulation is set to zero (the bucket tip).
The accumulation begins again for the next accumulation period.)
The accumulation period and the bucket tip are exactly the same for each grid. Grids are available at forecast
hours that are multiples of the accumulation period.
kg/m2
current
207
peak_wav_dir
peak_wav_dir
The angle measured clockwise from true north to the direction from which the peak waves are coming.
deg
current
208
peak_wav_per
peak_wav_per
The quantity of time required for two successive peak wave crests to pass a fixed point.
s
current
210
shrt_wav
shrt_wav
no definition available
gpm
current
211
rsdl_wav
rsdl_wav
no definition available
gpm
current
212
lng_wav
lng_wav
no definition available
gpm
current
213
mag_ditch_hdg
mag_ditch_hdg
The estimated angle, in a clockwise direction, between true north and the recommended direction of
ditching an aircraft in a body of water.
deg_+N
current
214
wnd_ucmp_mn
wnd_ucmp_mn
no definition available
m/s
current
215
wnd_vcmp_mn
wnd_vcmp_mn
no definition available
m/s
current
216
wnd_dif_ucmp_mn
wnd_dif_ucmp_mn
no definition available
m/s
current
217
wnd_dif_vcmp_mn
wnd_dif_vcmp_mn
no definition available
m/s
current
218
grnd_wet
grnd_wet
The estimated rate of ground coverage that is determined to be wet as compared to the entire surface.
fraction
current
219
pres_err
pres_err
The quantity of error in the estimated air pressure.
pa
current
220
max_wav_ht
max_wav_ht
The mean height of the highest one tenth of the waves measured from trough to crest.
m
current
221
snsb_ltnt_heat_flux
snsb_ltnt_heat_flux
The rate of transfer of sensible heat (enthalphy) plus latent heat from one region to another.
W/m2
current
222
ttl_heat_flux
ttl_heat_flux
The estimated total rate of flow of heat in the atmosphere.
W/m2
current
223
geop_ht_err
geop_ht_err
The geopotential height of level or surface error estimate.
gpm
current
224
frnt_anal
frnt_anal
The estimated rate of the psychometric parameters indicating the presence of a frontal boundary.
deg K/m2
current
225
fog
fog
The rate of probability of the occurrence of fog.
%
current
226
rltv_hum_err
rltv_hum_err
The quantity of error in the estimated ratio of measured vapor pressure to the computed saturation
vapor pressure at the temperature of the measurement.
fraction
current
227
wnd_ucmp_err
wnd_ucmp_err
Wind u component (east-west) error estimate.
m/s
current
228
wnd_vcmp_err
wnd_vcmp_err
Wind v component (north-south) error estimate.
m/s
current
229
wnd_spd_ens_stdev
wnd_spd_ens_stdev
The standard deviation of the wind speed of the ensemble members for a point in time.
m/s
current
230
frz_ht
frz_ht
The vertical dimension above a vertical reference data where the air temperature is 0 degrees
Celsius.
m
current
231
air_temp_err
air_temp_err
Analysis air temperature error from truth (observations).
deg_K
current
232
sea_sfc_ht_corr
sea_sfc_ht_corr
The sea height anomaly about a long term sea height mean.
m
current
234
ceil_ht
ceil_ht
The height above ground level (AGL) of the lowest cloud or obscuring phenomena layer aloft with 5/8
or more summation total sky cover, which may be predominantly opaque, or the visibility into a surfaced-based
obscuration.
m
current
235
wnd_strs
wnd_strs
The drag force per unit area caused by the wind shear.
Nt/m2
current
236
snw_age
snw_age
The time difference between the data analysis and the date of the last measurable snow fall.
day
current
238
terr_ht
terr_ht
no definition available
m
current
239
latitude
latitude
Angular distance north or south from the earth's equator measure through 90 degrees. (Webster 1983)
deg_+N
listed
240
longitude
longitude
The arc or portion of the earth's equator intersected between the meridian of a given place and the
prime meridian (as from Greenwich, England) and expressed either in degrees or time. (Webster 1983)
deg_+E
listed
241
cld_top
cld_top
The estimated height of the upper surface of a cloud layer, ice or liquid.
m
current
243
sea_temp_anom
sea_temp_anom
The difference between sea temperature analysis values and climatology.
deg_K
current
245
stab_cld
stab_cld
The estimated rate of the sky dome that is covered by non-convective or stable clouds.
fraction
current
246
lift_cdns_lvl
lift_cdns_lvl
The level at which a parcel of moist air lifted dry-adiabatically would become saturated.
m
current
247
thkn
thkn
The geometric thickness of layer.
gpm
current
248
peak_wnd_spd
peak_wnd_spd
The highest instantaneous wind speed during a specified time period.
m/s
current
249
cld_wtr_dnst
cld_wtr_dnst
The density of condensed liquid cloud water at a given level.
g/m3
current
250
cld_ice_dnst
cld_ice_dnst
The density of condensed frozen cloud water.
g/m3
current
251
wnd_utru
wnd_utru
The east-west wind component based on true east. (correct for lambert conformal projection)
m/s
current
252
wnd_vtru
wnd_vtru
The north-south wind component based on true north (correction for lambert conformal projection).
m/s
current
253
ustar
ustar
Motion near the surface where the shearing stress is often assumed to be independent of height and
approximately proportional to the square of the mean velocity. The friction velocity is, therefore, exactly the
velocity for which this square law would be valid.
m/s
current