Skip to main content
Dataset Overview | National Centers for Environmental Information (NCEI)

Output fields from the NOAA Atlantic Real-Time Ocean Forecast System (RTOFS) for 2015-06-01 to 2015-06-30 (NCEI Accession 0129547)

browse graphicGraphic not available.
The NOAA Atlantic Real-Time Ocean Forecast System (RTOFS) dataset comprises output fields from the daily operational RTOFS model runs conducted at the National Centers for Atmospheric Prediction. Each model run produces a series of gridded fields containing results of model computations for ocean temperature, salinity, currents, sea-surface height, and possibly other properties. The fields are encoded in the standard GRIdded Binary (GRIB) file format. NODC compiles a series of files into monthly accessions to facilitate archival storage and public access. Two different sets of output fields are included: 1) daily 3-dimensional fields reported on the model's native hybrid (isopycnal plus z-level) vertical coordinates (note: prior to June 6, 2007, these fields are interpolated to z-levels); and 2) hourly fields reported for the surface level only. Each daily model run produces a 24-hr hindcast as well as forecasts out to 120 hours.
  • Cite as: US DOC/NOAA/NWS > National Centers for Environmental Prediction (2015). Output fields from the NOAA Atlantic Real-Time Ocean Forecast System (RTOFS) for 2015-06-01 to 2015-06-30 (NCEI Accession 0129547). [indicate subset used]. NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information. Dataset. https://www.ncei.noaa.gov/archive/accession/0129547. Accessed [date].
gov.noaa.nodc:0129547
Download Data
  • HTTPS (download)
    Navigate directly to the URL for data access and direct download.
  • FTP (download)
    These data are available through the File Transfer Protocol (FTP). FTP is no longer supported by most internet browsers. You may copy and paste the FTP link to the data into an FTP client (e.g., FileZilla or WinSCP).
  • THREDDS (download)
    These data are available through a variety of services via a THREDDS (Thematic Real-time Environmental Distributed Data Services) Data Server (TDS). Depending on the dataset, the TDS can provide WMS, WCS, DAP, HTTP, and other data access and metadata services as well. For more information on the TDS, see http://www.unidata.ucar.edu/software/thredds/current/tds/.
  • HTTPS (download)
    Navigate directly to the URL for data access and direct download.
  • FTP (download)
    These data are available through the File Transfer Protocol (FTP). FTP is no longer supported by most internet browsers. You may copy and paste the FTP link to the data into an FTP client (e.g., FileZilla or WinSCP).
Distribution Formats
  • GRIB (Version: 2)
    • File Specification: http://www.nco.ncep.noaa.gov/pmb/docs/grib2/grib2_doc.shtml
Ordering Instructions Contact NCEI for other distribution options and instructions.
Distributor NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information
+1-301-713-3277
NCEI.Info@noaa.gov
Dataset Point of Contact NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information
ncei.info@noaa.gov
Time Period 2015-06-01 to 2015-06-30
Spatial Bounding Box Coordinates
West: -105.03
East: 22.215
South: -26.5
North: 75.245
Spatial Coverage Map
General Documentation
Associated Resources
  • Output fields from the NOAA Atlantic Real-Time Ocean Forecast System (RTOFS) for 2006-05-31 to 2017-03-21
    • NCEI Collection
      Navigate directly to the URL for data access and direct download.
  • Parent ID (indicates this dataset is related to other data):
    • gov.noaa.nodc:NCEP-RTOFS
Publication Dates
  • publication: 2015-07-05
Data Presentation Form Digital table - digital representation of facts or figures systematically displayed, especially in columns
Dataset Progress Status Complete - production of the data has been completed
Historical archive - data has been stored in an offline storage facility
Data Update Frequency As needed
Supplemental Information
The dynamical model is HYCOM:
- The model uses curvilinear coordinates in the horizontal and hybrid vertical coordinates in the vertical.
- An overview of the HYbrid Coordinate Ocean Model (HYCOM)
- Orthogonal grid (1200 x 1684 points)
- 26 vertical coordinates (21 isopycnal, 5 z-level)
Surface Forcing:
- forcing fields from 3-hour NCEP (GDAS/GFS) model
Open Boundaries:
- Relaxed to NCEP climatology. Also relaxed to climatology in the Straits of Gibraltar region
Tides:
- M2, S2, N2, K1, P1, O1, K2, Q1 tidal modes - Body and boundary tides
Rivers:
- From daily USGS data and RIVDIS climatology
Data Assimilation:
- SST: from GOES AVHRR and in-situ
- SSH, T, S: using SLA from JASON GFO (not activated)
- T,S: from ARGOS, XBT, CTD (not activated)
Model Parameters:
- Time step: split-explicit 150 sec baroclinic, 5 sec barotropic
- Advection scheme: 2nd order Flux Corrected Transport (FCT) with density and salinity as the advected scalars
- Horizontal momentum viscosity: additive laplacian with biharmonic operators
--+ Laplacian: deformation factor = 0.1, diffusion velocity = 0.005 m/s
--+ Biharmonic: deformation factor = 0.0, diffusion velocity = 0.005 m/s
- Laplacian scalar diffusion (diffusion velocity: 0.005 m/s)
- Vertical viscosity and mixing: GISS
- Quadratic bottom friction coefficient: 0.003
- Bottom boundary layer thickness: 10 m

Documentation for RTOFS model output can be obtained from NCEI accession 0026419. As it becomes available, new documentation about RTOFS model output and/or processing will be added to NCEI accession 0026419.
Purpose The purpose of the NOAA Real-Time Ocean Forecast System (Atlantic) is to generate daily hindcasts/nowcasts (i.e., analysis) and forecasts out to 120 hours of ocean properties for the Atlantic Ocean including all of the coastal regions of the United States East and Gulf Coasts. The development of RTOFS (Atlantic) was started due to a growing demand for high-resolution basin-wide ocean information as well as improved surface forecasts in coastal areas. RTOFS (Atlantic) demand was recognized by the U.S. National Research Council which recommended that the nation establish an "operational capability for nowcasting and forecasting currents, water temperatures and related fields to support coastal and offshore operations and management" (National Research Council, 1989). Development of RTOFS (Atlantic) for the Atlantic, Caribbean and the Gulf of Mexico began in 2004.
Use Limitations
  • accessLevel: Public
  • Distribution liability: NOAA and NCEI make no warranty, expressed or implied, regarding these data, nor does the fact of distribution constitute such a warranty. NOAA and NCEI cannot assume liability for any damages caused by any errors or omissions in these data. If appropriate, NCEI can only certify that the data it distributes are an authentic copy of the records that were accepted for inclusion in the NCEI archives.
  • From the data producer: Although the RTOFS (Atlantic) is an operational model, we cannot guarantee the timeliness or accuracy of the model data. Please see our disclaimer for more information: http://www.weather.gov/disclaimer.
Dataset Citation
  • Cite as: US DOC/NOAA/NWS > National Centers for Environmental Prediction (2015). Output fields from the NOAA Atlantic Real-Time Ocean Forecast System (RTOFS) for 2015-06-01 to 2015-06-30 (NCEI Accession 0129547). [indicate subset used]. NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information. Dataset. https://www.ncei.noaa.gov/archive/accession/0129547. Accessed [date].
Cited Authors
Contributors
Resource Providers
Publishers
Theme keywords NODC DATA TYPES THESAURUS NODC OBSERVATION TYPES THESAURUS WMO_CategoryCode
  • oceanography
Global Change Master Directory (GCMD) Science Keywords Originator Keywords
  • circulation
  • currents
  • data assimilation
  • eddy-resolving
  • fronts
  • model
  • ocean
  • ocean forecast
  • ocean model
  • salinity
  • sea-surface elevation
  • sea-surface height
  • temperature
  • velocity
Data Center keywords NODC COLLECTING INSTITUTION NAMES THESAURUS NODC SUBMITTING INSTITUTION NAMES THESAURUS Global Change Master Directory (GCMD) Data Center Keywords
Place keywords NODC SEA AREA NAMES THESAURUS Global Change Master Directory (GCMD) Location Keywords
Project keywords NODC PROJECT NAMES THESAURUS
Keywords NCEI ACCESSION NUMBER
Use Constraints
  • Cite as: US DOC/NOAA/NWS > National Centers for Environmental Prediction (2015). Output fields from the NOAA Atlantic Real-Time Ocean Forecast System (RTOFS) for 2015-06-01 to 2015-06-30 (NCEI Accession 0129547). [indicate subset used]. NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information. Dataset. https://www.ncei.noaa.gov/archive/accession/0129547. Accessed [date].
Access Constraints
  • Use liability: NOAA and NCEI cannot provide any warranty as to the accuracy, reliability, or completeness of furnished data. Users assume responsibility to determine the usability of these data. The user is responsible for the results of any application of this data for other than its intended purpose.
Fees
  • In most cases, electronic downloads of the data are free. However, fees may apply for custom orders, data certifications, copies of analog materials, and data distribution on physical media.
Lineage information for: dataset
Processing Steps
  • 2015-07-05T15:45:08Z - NCEI Accession 0129547 v1.1 was published.
Output Datasets
Lineage information for: repository
Processing Steps
  • 2015-04-22T00:00:00 - NOAA created the National Centers for Environmental Information (NCEI) by merging NOAA's National Climatic Data Center (NCDC), National Geophysical Data Center (NGDC), and National Oceanographic Data Center (NODC), including the National Coastal Data Development Center (NCDDC), per the Consolidated and Further Continuing Appropriations Act, 2015, Public Law 113-235. NCEI launched publicly on April 22, 2015.
Last Modified: 2023-11-16T13:12:17Z
For questions about the information on this page, please email: ncei.info@noaa.gov