You can access NDFD elements via file transfer protocol (ftp), http,
eXtensible Markup Language (XML), or web browser. Links to the data,
supporting information and software are listed below:
Currently, the NDFD contains data representing the following weather
elements. More elements will be added as development of the NDFD
progresses. NDFD data are available for projections (as described
in the table below) at the following Coordinated Universal Times
(UTC): 0000, 0300, 0600, 0900, 1200, 1500, 1800, 2100.
Elements |
No. of Grids |
Projections |
Maximum Temperature |
7 |
Every 24 hours, out to 168 hours |
Minimum Temperature |
7 |
Every 24 hours, out to 168 hours |
12-hour Probability of Precipitation (PoP12) |
14 |
Every 12 hours, out to 168 hours |
Sky Cover |
40 |
Every 3 hours out to 72 hours;
every 6 hours out to 168 hours |
Temperature |
40 |
Every 3 hours out to 72 hours;
every 6 hours out to 168 hours |
Dew Point |
40 |
Every 3 hours out to 72 hours;
every 6 hours out to 168 hours |
Wind Direction |
40 |
Every 3 hours out to 72 hours;
every 6 hours out to 168 hours |
Wind Speed |
40 |
Every 3 hours out to 72 hours;
every 6 hours out to 168 hours |
Weather |
40 |
Every 3 hours out to 72 hours;
every 6 hours out to 168 hours |
Precipitation Amount |
12 |
Every 6 hours out to 72 hours |
Snow Amount |
6 |
Every 6 hours out to 48 hours |
Wave Height |
10 |
Every 12 hours out to 120 hours |
Relative Humidity |
40 |
Every 3 hours out to 72 hours;
every 6 hours out to 168 hours |
Apparent Temperature |
40 |
Every 3 hours out to 72 hours;
every 6 hours out to 168 hours |
Wind Gust |
24 |
Every 3 hours out to 72 hours |
Probabilistic Tropical Cyclone Surface
Wind Speeds - 6 separate elements: |
>34kts (incremental) |
20 |
Every 6 hours out to 120 hours |
>34kts (cumulative) |
20 |
Every 6 hours out to 120 hours |
>50kts (incremental) |
20 |
Every 6 hours out to 120 hours |
>50kts (cumulative) |
20 |
Every 6 hours out to 120 hours |
>64kts (incremental) |
20 |
Every 6 hours out to 120 hours |
>64kts (cumulative) |
20 |
Every 6 hours out to 120 hours |
Convective Outlook Hazard Probabilities
- 9 separate elements: |
Convective Hazard Outlook |
3 |
Days 1, 2, and 3 |
Probability of Tornadoes |
1 |
Day 1 |
Probability of Hail |
1 |
Day 1 |
Probability of Damaging Thunderstorm Winds |
1 |
Day 1 |
Probability of Extreme Tornadoes |
1 |
Day 1 |
Probability of Extreme Hail |
1 |
Day 1 |
Probability of Extreme Thunderstorm Winds |
1 |
Day 1 |
Total Probability of Severe Thunderstorms |
2 |
Days 2 and 3 |
Total Probability of Extreme Severe Thunderstorms |
2 |
Days 2 and 3 |
Climate Outlook
Probabilities - 12 separate elements: |
8- to 14-day Avg Temperature
Above Normal |
1 |
14 days (issued once daily) |
8- to 14-day Avg Temperature
Below Normal |
1 |
14 days (issued once daily) |
8- to 14-day Total Precipitation Above Median |
1 |
14 days (issued once daily) |
8- to 14-day Total Precipitation Below Median |
1 |
14 days (issued once daily) |
One-month Avg Temperature Above
Normal |
1 |
45 days (issued twice
on 3rd Thurs of month) |
One-month Avg Temperature Below
Normal |
1 |
45 days (issued twice 3rd
Thurs each month) |
One-month Total Precipitation Above Median |
1 |
45 days
(issued twice 3rd
Thurs each month) |
One-month Total Precipitation Below Median |
1 |
45 days
(issued twice 3rd
Thurs each month) |
Three-month Avg Temperature
Above Normal |
13* |
375 days
(issued twice 3rd
Thurs each month) |
Three-month Avg Temperature
Below Normal |
13* |
375 days (issued twice 3rd
Thurs each month) |
Three-month Total Precipitation Above Median |
13* |
375 days (issued twice 3rd
Thurs each month) |
| Three-month Total Precipitation Below Median |
13* |
375 days (issued twice 3rd
Thurs each month)
|
* 13 issuances for months 1 - 3,
months 2 - 4, months 3 - 5, ..., up to months 13 -15 |
Grids for the CONUS are currently available
from NDFD at 5 kilometer spatial resolution. The spatial resolution
for the grids for Hawaii, Guam, Puerto Rico/the Virgin Islands is
2.5 kilometers; for Alaska , 6 kilometers.
The temporal resolution of NDFD grids varies by element; see the
table of NDFD elements for specifics.
NWS plans to increase both spatial and temporal resolution in the future.
For real-time customer support, contact the NWS Telecommunications
Gateway at 301-713-0902