Climate Forecast System (Ocean CFS)

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.

CFS Ocean output provides detailed forecasts of oceanic variables, including sea surface temperature, subsurface temperature profiles, ocean currents, and sea ice extent. This data is vital for monitoring ocean-atmosphere interactions, predicting El Niño and La Niña events, supporting fisheries management, and improving seasonal climate outlooks. By modeling ocean dynamics alongside atmospheric processes, the CFS delivers a comprehensive picture of the Earth’s climate system.

Detail

• Product page: https://cfs.ncep.noaa.gov/cfsv2/docs.html
• Key Features:
  • Includes sea surface temperature, salinity, and ocean current velocity data.
  • Supports tropical cyclone forecasting, marine ecosystem studies, and long-term climate variability analysis.
  • Useful for El Niño–Southern Oscillation (ENSO) monitoring and prediction.
• Resolution: 1.0° global grid.
• Temporal Coverage: Updated four times daily, with forecasts extending up to 215 days (5160 hours).
• Primary Use Cases: Long-range ocean dynamics, sea surface temperature forecasting, and climate variability studies.

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