Description

The Climate Forecast System (CFS), developed by NOAA’s National Centers for Environmental Prediction (NCEP), is a state-of-the-art global weather and climate model designed for medium- to long-range forecasting—spanning from days up to several seasons. CFS integrates atmospheric, oceanic, land surface, and sea ice components into a fully coupled modeling framework, delivering highly detailed and reliable forecasts for climate trends, seasonal outlooks, and extended-range weather events. By assimilating real-time observations from satellites, ocean buoys, and weather stations worldwide, CFS ensures its predictions reflect the current state of the Earth system, making it an essential tool for researchers, meteorologists, and organizations that rely on accurate climate guidance.

The CFS Isentropic Levels product delivers forecasts on surfaces of constant potential temperature (isentropic surfaces), which are particularly valuable for understanding atmospheric transport, air mass movements, and large-scale weather patterns. Meteorologists and researchers use isentropic data to track the movement of air parcels, analyze stability, and study the dynamics of fronts and jet streams with greater clarity than standard pressure-based analyses.

Detail

Archive begins: 2018-10-31

Product page: https://cfs.ncep.noaa.gov/cfsv2/docs.html

Key Features:

Includes potential vorticity, stream function, and lapse rate data for studying large-scale atmospheric dynamics.
Provides insights into jet streams, upper-level troughs, and stratospheric-tropospheric interactions.
Supports aviation forecasting and upper-air meteorological research.

Resolution: 1.0° global grid.

Temporal Coverage: Updated four times daily, with forecasts extending up to 215 days (5160 hours).

Primary Use Cases: Upper-atmosphere dynamics, jet stream analysis, and potential vorticity studies.

Parameters

Click a parameter to reveal variants in a compact table with ready-to-copy JSON selectors.

LAPR –Lapse Rate (K/m)

16 variants

Lapse rate is the vertical rate of temperature decrease with height. It is a key stability metric for convection and boundary-layer mixing.

Units: K/m.

Level	Horizon	Introduced	Selector
`1000 K isentropic level`	0h-5160h	2018-10-31	`{"name":"LAPR","level":"1000 K isentropic level","info":""}`
`1250 K isentropic level`	0h-5160h	2018-10-31	`{"name":"LAPR","level":"1250 K isentropic level","info":""}`
`1500 K isentropic level`	0h-5160h	2018-10-31	`{"name":"LAPR","level":"1500 K isentropic level","info":""}`
`270 K isentropic level`	0h-5160h	2018-10-31	`{"name":"LAPR","level":"270 K isentropic level","info":""}`
`280 K isentropic level`	0h-5160h	2018-10-31	`{"name":"LAPR","level":"280 K isentropic level","info":""}`
`290 K isentropic level`	0h-5160h	2018-10-31	`{"name":"LAPR","level":"290 K isentropic level","info":""}`
`300 K isentropic level`	0h-5160h	2018-10-31	`{"name":"LAPR","level":"300 K isentropic level","info":""}`
`310 K isentropic level`	0h-5160h	2018-10-31	`{"name":"LAPR","level":"310 K isentropic level","info":""}`
`320 K isentropic level`	0h-5160h	2018-10-31	`{"name":"LAPR","level":"320 K isentropic level","info":""}`
`330 K isentropic level`	0h-5160h	2018-10-31	`{"name":"LAPR","level":"330 K isentropic level","info":""}`
`350 K isentropic level`	0h-5160h	2018-10-31	`{"name":"LAPR","level":"350 K isentropic level","info":""}`
`400 K isentropic level`	0h-5160h	2018-10-31	`{"name":"LAPR","level":"400 K isentropic level","info":""}`
`450 K isentropic level`	0h-5160h	2018-10-31	`{"name":"LAPR","level":"450 K isentropic level","info":""}`
`550 K isentropic level`	0h-5160h	2018-10-31	`{"name":"LAPR","level":"550 K isentropic level","info":""}`
`650 K isentropic level`	0h-5160h	2018-10-31	`{"name":"LAPR","level":"650 K isentropic level","info":""}`
`850 K isentropic level`	0h-5160h	2018-10-31	`{"name":"LAPR","level":"850 K isentropic level","info":""}`

MNTSF –Montgomery Stream Function (m²/s²)

16 variants

Montgomery stream function is used on isentropic surfaces to diagnose balanced flow and thermal structure, especially in tropical dynamics.

Units: m²/s².

Level	Horizon	Introduced	Selector
`1000 K isentropic level`	0h-5160h	2018-10-31	`{"name":"MNTSF","level":"1000 K isentropic level","info":""}`
`1250 K isentropic level`	0h-5160h	2018-10-31	`{"name":"MNTSF","level":"1250 K isentropic level","info":""}`
`1500 K isentropic level`	0h-5160h	2018-10-31	`{"name":"MNTSF","level":"1500 K isentropic level","info":""}`
`270 K isentropic level`	0h-5160h	2018-10-31	`{"name":"MNTSF","level":"270 K isentropic level","info":""}`
`280 K isentropic level`	0h-5160h	2018-10-31	`{"name":"MNTSF","level":"280 K isentropic level","info":""}`
`290 K isentropic level`	0h-5160h	2018-10-31	`{"name":"MNTSF","level":"290 K isentropic level","info":""}`
`300 K isentropic level`	0h-5160h	2018-10-31	`{"name":"MNTSF","level":"300 K isentropic level","info":""}`
`310 K isentropic level`	0h-5160h	2018-10-31	`{"name":"MNTSF","level":"310 K isentropic level","info":""}`
`320 K isentropic level`	0h-5160h	2018-10-31	`{"name":"MNTSF","level":"320 K isentropic level","info":""}`
`330 K isentropic level`	0h-5160h	2018-10-31	`{"name":"MNTSF","level":"330 K isentropic level","info":""}`
`350 K isentropic level`	0h-5160h	2018-10-31	`{"name":"MNTSF","level":"350 K isentropic level","info":""}`
`400 K isentropic level`	0h-5160h	2018-10-31	`{"name":"MNTSF","level":"400 K isentropic level","info":""}`
`450 K isentropic level`	0h-5160h	2018-10-31	`{"name":"MNTSF","level":"450 K isentropic level","info":""}`
`550 K isentropic level`	0h-5160h	2018-10-31	`{"name":"MNTSF","level":"550 K isentropic level","info":""}`
`650 K isentropic level`	0h-5160h	2018-10-31	`{"name":"MNTSF","level":"650 K isentropic level","info":""}`
`850 K isentropic level`	0h-5160h	2018-10-31	`{"name":"MNTSF","level":"850 K isentropic level","info":""}`

PRES –Pressure (Pa)

1 variant

Pressure is the atmospheric pressure at the specified level. It is a fundamental mass-field variable for dynamics and thermodynamics.

Units: Pa.

Level	Info	Horizon	Introduced	Selector
`surface`		0h-5160h	2018-10-31	`{"name":"PRES","level":"surface","info":""}`

PVORT –Potential Vorticity (K·m²/kg/s)

16 variants

Vorticity measures rotation of the flow. It highlights dynamical forcing, shear, and potential for cyclonic development.

Units: K·m²/kg/s.

Level	Horizon	Introduced	Selector
`1000 K isentropic level`	0h-5160h	2018-10-31	`{"name":"PVORT","level":"1000 K isentropic level","info":""}`
`1250 K isentropic level`	0h-5160h	2018-10-31	`{"name":"PVORT","level":"1250 K isentropic level","info":""}`
`1500 K isentropic level`	0h-5160h	2018-10-31	`{"name":"PVORT","level":"1500 K isentropic level","info":""}`
`270 K isentropic level`	0h-5160h	2018-10-31	`{"name":"PVORT","level":"270 K isentropic level","info":""}`
`280 K isentropic level`	0h-5160h	2018-10-31	`{"name":"PVORT","level":"280 K isentropic level","info":""}`
`290 K isentropic level`	0h-5160h	2018-10-31	`{"name":"PVORT","level":"290 K isentropic level","info":""}`
`300 K isentropic level`	0h-5160h	2018-10-31	`{"name":"PVORT","level":"300 K isentropic level","info":""}`
`310 K isentropic level`	0h-5160h	2018-10-31	`{"name":"PVORT","level":"310 K isentropic level","info":""}`
`320 K isentropic level`	0h-5160h	2018-10-31	`{"name":"PVORT","level":"320 K isentropic level","info":""}`
`330 K isentropic level`	0h-5160h	2018-10-31	`{"name":"PVORT","level":"330 K isentropic level","info":""}`
`350 K isentropic level`	0h-5160h	2018-10-31	`{"name":"PVORT","level":"350 K isentropic level","info":""}`
`400 K isentropic level`	0h-5160h	2018-10-31	`{"name":"PVORT","level":"400 K isentropic level","info":""}`
`450 K isentropic level`	0h-5160h	2018-10-31	`{"name":"PVORT","level":"450 K isentropic level","info":""}`
`550 K isentropic level`	0h-5160h	2018-10-31	`{"name":"PVORT","level":"550 K isentropic level","info":""}`
`650 K isentropic level`	0h-5160h	2018-10-31	`{"name":"PVORT","level":"650 K isentropic level","info":""}`
`850 K isentropic level`	0h-5160h	2018-10-31	`{"name":"PVORT","level":"850 K isentropic level","info":""}`

RH –Relative Humidity (percent)

16 variants

Relative humidity describes how close the air is to saturation at the specified level. High values favor cloud formation.

Units: percent.
Higher values indicate more atmospheric moisture and greater cloud or precip potential.

Level	Horizon	Introduced	Selector
`1000 K isentropic level`	0h-5160h	2018-10-31	`{"name":"RH","level":"1000 K isentropic level","info":""}`
`1250 K isentropic level`	0h-5160h	2018-10-31	`{"name":"RH","level":"1250 K isentropic level","info":""}`
`1500 K isentropic level`	0h-5160h	2018-10-31	`{"name":"RH","level":"1500 K isentropic level","info":""}`
`270 K isentropic level`	0h-5160h	2018-10-31	`{"name":"RH","level":"270 K isentropic level","info":""}`
`280 K isentropic level`	0h-5160h	2018-10-31	`{"name":"RH","level":"280 K isentropic level","info":""}`
`290 K isentropic level`	0h-5160h	2018-10-31	`{"name":"RH","level":"290 K isentropic level","info":""}`
`300 K isentropic level`	0h-5160h	2018-10-31	`{"name":"RH","level":"300 K isentropic level","info":""}`
`310 K isentropic level`	0h-5160h	2018-10-31	`{"name":"RH","level":"310 K isentropic level","info":""}`
`320 K isentropic level`	0h-5160h	2018-10-31	`{"name":"RH","level":"320 K isentropic level","info":""}`
`330 K isentropic level`	0h-5160h	2018-10-31	`{"name":"RH","level":"330 K isentropic level","info":""}`
`350 K isentropic level`	0h-5160h	2018-10-31	`{"name":"RH","level":"350 K isentropic level","info":""}`
`400 K isentropic level`	0h-5160h	2018-10-31	`{"name":"RH","level":"400 K isentropic level","info":""}`
`450 K isentropic level`	0h-5160h	2018-10-31	`{"name":"RH","level":"450 K isentropic level","info":""}`
`550 K isentropic level`	0h-5160h	2018-10-31	`{"name":"RH","level":"550 K isentropic level","info":""}`
`650 K isentropic level`	0h-5160h	2018-10-31	`{"name":"RH","level":"650 K isentropic level","info":""}`
`850 K isentropic level`	0h-5160h	2018-10-31	`{"name":"RH","level":"850 K isentropic level","info":""}`

TMP –Temperature (K)

17 variants

Air temperature is the thermal state of the atmosphere at the specified level. It influences density, stability, and energy exchange.

Units: K.

Level	Horizon	Introduced	Selector
`1000 K isentropic level`	0h-5160h	2018-10-31	`{"name":"TMP","level":"1000 K isentropic level","info":""}`
`1250 K isentropic level`	0h-5160h	2018-10-31	`{"name":"TMP","level":"1250 K isentropic level","info":""}`
`1500 K isentropic level`	0h-5160h	2018-10-31	`{"name":"TMP","level":"1500 K isentropic level","info":""}`
`270 K isentropic level`	0h-5160h	2018-10-31	`{"name":"TMP","level":"270 K isentropic level","info":""}`
`280 K isentropic level`	0h-5160h	2018-10-31	`{"name":"TMP","level":"280 K isentropic level","info":""}`
`290 K isentropic level`	0h-5160h	2018-10-31	`{"name":"TMP","level":"290 K isentropic level","info":""}`
`300 K isentropic level`	0h-5160h	2018-10-31	`{"name":"TMP","level":"300 K isentropic level","info":""}`
`310 K isentropic level`	0h-5160h	2018-10-31	`{"name":"TMP","level":"310 K isentropic level","info":""}`
`320 K isentropic level`	0h-5160h	2018-10-31	`{"name":"TMP","level":"320 K isentropic level","info":""}`
`330 K isentropic level`	0h-5160h	2018-10-31	`{"name":"TMP","level":"330 K isentropic level","info":""}`
`350 K isentropic level`	0h-5160h	2018-10-31	`{"name":"TMP","level":"350 K isentropic level","info":""}`
`400 K isentropic level`	0h-5160h	2018-10-31	`{"name":"TMP","level":"400 K isentropic level","info":""}`
`450 K isentropic level`	0h-5160h	2018-10-31	`{"name":"TMP","level":"450 K isentropic level","info":""}`
`550 K isentropic level`	0h-5160h	2018-10-31	`{"name":"TMP","level":"550 K isentropic level","info":""}`
`650 K isentropic level`	0h-5160h	2018-10-31	`{"name":"TMP","level":"650 K isentropic level","info":""}`
`850 K isentropic level`	0h-5160h	2018-10-31	`{"name":"TMP","level":"850 K isentropic level","info":""}`
`surface`	0h-5160h	2018-10-31	`{"name":"TMP","level":"surface","info":""}`

UGRD –U-Component of Wind (m/s)

16 variants

U‑component of wind is the east‑west component of the horizontal wind. Combine with v for speed and direction.

Units: m/s.
Combine u and v components to compute speed and direction.

Level	Horizon	Introduced	Selector
`1000 K isentropic level`	0h-5160h	2018-10-31	`{"name":"UGRD","level":"1000 K isentropic level","info":""}`
`1250 K isentropic level`	0h-5160h	2018-10-31	`{"name":"UGRD","level":"1250 K isentropic level","info":""}`
`1500 K isentropic level`	0h-5160h	2018-10-31	`{"name":"UGRD","level":"1500 K isentropic level","info":""}`
`270 K isentropic level`	0h-5160h	2018-10-31	`{"name":"UGRD","level":"270 K isentropic level","info":""}`
`280 K isentropic level`	0h-5160h	2018-10-31	`{"name":"UGRD","level":"280 K isentropic level","info":""}`
`290 K isentropic level`	0h-5160h	2018-10-31	`{"name":"UGRD","level":"290 K isentropic level","info":""}`
`300 K isentropic level`	0h-5160h	2018-10-31	`{"name":"UGRD","level":"300 K isentropic level","info":""}`
`310 K isentropic level`	0h-5160h	2018-10-31	`{"name":"UGRD","level":"310 K isentropic level","info":""}`
`320 K isentropic level`	0h-5160h	2018-10-31	`{"name":"UGRD","level":"320 K isentropic level","info":""}`
`330 K isentropic level`	0h-5160h	2018-10-31	`{"name":"UGRD","level":"330 K isentropic level","info":""}`
`350 K isentropic level`	0h-5160h	2018-10-31	`{"name":"UGRD","level":"350 K isentropic level","info":""}`
`400 K isentropic level`	0h-5160h	2018-10-31	`{"name":"UGRD","level":"400 K isentropic level","info":""}`
`450 K isentropic level`	0h-5160h	2018-10-31	`{"name":"UGRD","level":"450 K isentropic level","info":""}`
`550 K isentropic level`	0h-5160h	2018-10-31	`{"name":"UGRD","level":"550 K isentropic level","info":""}`
`650 K isentropic level`	0h-5160h	2018-10-31	`{"name":"UGRD","level":"650 K isentropic level","info":""}`
`850 K isentropic level`	0h-5160h	2018-10-31	`{"name":"UGRD","level":"850 K isentropic level","info":""}`

VGRD –V-Component of Wind (m/s)

16 variants

V‑component of wind is the north‑south component of the horizontal wind. Combine with u for speed and direction.

Units: m/s.
Combine u and v components to compute speed and direction.

Level	Horizon	Introduced	Selector
`1000 K isentropic level`	0h-5160h	2018-10-31	`{"name":"VGRD","level":"1000 K isentropic level","info":""}`
`1250 K isentropic level`	0h-5160h	2018-10-31	`{"name":"VGRD","level":"1250 K isentropic level","info":""}`
`1500 K isentropic level`	0h-5160h	2018-10-31	`{"name":"VGRD","level":"1500 K isentropic level","info":""}`
`270 K isentropic level`	0h-5160h	2018-10-31	`{"name":"VGRD","level":"270 K isentropic level","info":""}`
`280 K isentropic level`	0h-5160h	2018-10-31	`{"name":"VGRD","level":"280 K isentropic level","info":""}`
`290 K isentropic level`	0h-5160h	2018-10-31	`{"name":"VGRD","level":"290 K isentropic level","info":""}`
`300 K isentropic level`	0h-5160h	2018-10-31	`{"name":"VGRD","level":"300 K isentropic level","info":""}`
`310 K isentropic level`	0h-5160h	2018-10-31	`{"name":"VGRD","level":"310 K isentropic level","info":""}`
`320 K isentropic level`	0h-5160h	2018-10-31	`{"name":"VGRD","level":"320 K isentropic level","info":""}`
`330 K isentropic level`	0h-5160h	2018-10-31	`{"name":"VGRD","level":"330 K isentropic level","info":""}`
`350 K isentropic level`	0h-5160h	2018-10-31	`{"name":"VGRD","level":"350 K isentropic level","info":""}`
`400 K isentropic level`	0h-5160h	2018-10-31	`{"name":"VGRD","level":"400 K isentropic level","info":""}`
`450 K isentropic level`	0h-5160h	2018-10-31	`{"name":"VGRD","level":"450 K isentropic level","info":""}`
`550 K isentropic level`	0h-5160h	2018-10-31	`{"name":"VGRD","level":"550 K isentropic level","info":""}`
`650 K isentropic level`	0h-5160h	2018-10-31	`{"name":"VGRD","level":"650 K isentropic level","info":""}`
`850 K isentropic level`	0h-5160h	2018-10-31	`{"name":"VGRD","level":"850 K isentropic level","info":""}`

VVEL –Vertical Velocity (Pressure) (Pa/s)

16 variants

Vertical velocity in pressure coordinates (omega). Negative values indicate upward motion (rising air); positive values indicate subsidence.

Units: Pa/s.

Level	Horizon	Introduced	Selector
`1000 K isentropic level`	0h-5160h	2018-10-31	`{"name":"VVEL","level":"1000 K isentropic level","info":""}`
`1250 K isentropic level`	0h-5160h	2018-10-31	`{"name":"VVEL","level":"1250 K isentropic level","info":""}`
`1500 K isentropic level`	0h-5160h	2018-10-31	`{"name":"VVEL","level":"1500 K isentropic level","info":""}`
`270 K isentropic level`	0h-5160h	2018-10-31	`{"name":"VVEL","level":"270 K isentropic level","info":""}`
`280 K isentropic level`	0h-5160h	2018-10-31	`{"name":"VVEL","level":"280 K isentropic level","info":""}`
`290 K isentropic level`	0h-5160h	2018-10-31	`{"name":"VVEL","level":"290 K isentropic level","info":""}`
`300 K isentropic level`	0h-5160h	2018-10-31	`{"name":"VVEL","level":"300 K isentropic level","info":""}`
`310 K isentropic level`	0h-5160h	2018-10-31	`{"name":"VVEL","level":"310 K isentropic level","info":""}`
`320 K isentropic level`	0h-5160h	2018-10-31	`{"name":"VVEL","level":"320 K isentropic level","info":""}`
`330 K isentropic level`	0h-5160h	2018-10-31	`{"name":"VVEL","level":"330 K isentropic level","info":""}`
`350 K isentropic level`	0h-5160h	2018-10-31	`{"name":"VVEL","level":"350 K isentropic level","info":""}`
`400 K isentropic level`	0h-5160h	2018-10-31	`{"name":"VVEL","level":"400 K isentropic level","info":""}`
`450 K isentropic level`	0h-5160h	2018-10-31	`{"name":"VVEL","level":"450 K isentropic level","info":""}`
`550 K isentropic level`	0h-5160h	2018-10-31	`{"name":"VVEL","level":"550 K isentropic level","info":""}`
`650 K isentropic level`	0h-5160h	2018-10-31	`{"name":"VVEL","level":"650 K isentropic level","info":""}`
`850 K isentropic level`	0h-5160h	2018-10-31	`{"name":"VVEL","level":"850 K isentropic level","info":""}`

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Climate Forecast System (CFS Isentropic)

Description

Detail

Parameters