Description

CFS Isentropic provides Climate Forecast System fields on surfaces of constant potential temperature. These isentropic surfaces are useful for following air-mass transport and upper-air dynamics in a way that complements standard pressure-level analysis.

The cfsipvf dataset includes fields such as potential vorticity, stream function, and lapse rate. Those signals help diagnose jet streams, troughs, fronts, stability, and links between the troposphere and lower stratosphere.

In GribStream, CFS Isentropic is useful when a workflow needs extended-range dynamic context without downloading full GRIB files: aviation planning, upper-air diagnostics, research signals, or comparison against CFS pressure-level fields.

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.
Uses isentropic surfaces to make air-mass transport, frontal structure, and upper-level flow easier to analyze.
Provides context for jet streams, upper-level troughs, stability, and stratosphere-troposphere interactions.
Complements CFS pressure-level fields when applications need a more specialized dynamic view.

Resolution: 1.0° global grid.

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

Primary Use Cases: Upper-air dynamics, jet stream analysis, potential-vorticity studies, aviation context, frontal diagnostics, and extended-range atmospheric transport.

Related datasets

CFS Pressure for standard atmospheric levels

GFS for operational global weather guidance

GDAS for global analysis context

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

Related datasets

Parameters