Summary

Description

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.