20020401: NCEP changes-

• To: nws-changes@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
• Subject: 20020401: NCEP changes-
• From: Linda Miller <lmiller@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>
• Date: Mon, 01 Apr 2002 08:57:16 -0700

ROM:             John H. Ward
                 Chief, Production Management Branch

SUBJECT:          Changes to the NWS Production Suite



    The next NCEP quarterly backup test has been scheduled for
the 00Z cycle on 4 April 2002 (1900 EST 03 April 2002).  If the
weather situation prohibits this test, it will be attempted at
00Z on 11 April 2002.  A summary of the products available during
the test can be found at:

    http://www.ncep.noaa.gov/NCO/PMB/nwprod/osobackup/
    ncep_backup.html.

    The advertised changes to the BUFR data stored on the NCEP
supercomputer originally planned for 26 March, have been
postponed.  A large number of requests for changes to
applications that utilize these BUFR codes have been received.
Since all of these changes must be thoroughly tested in a
production environment prior to implementation, a date for the
BUFR data changes can not be determined at this time.  An
additional two weeks notice will be provided prior to the BUFR
change implementation.  ALL PROGRAMMERS WHO UTILIZE BUFR DATA
SHOULD DETERMINE IF THE PROPOSED BUFR CHANGES WILL IMPACT THEIR
PROCESSING AND TEST THEIR CODES WITH THE TEST DATASETS LISTED AT
THE BOTTOM OF THIS MEMO.  If there are other codes which must be
modified prior to the BUFR data change, please submit JIFS as
soon as possible.

    A tentative date of 23 April 2002 has been set to replace
the 00Z MRF model with the 00Z AVN.  Look-alike grids for the MRF
will be created and disseminated from the 00Z AVN.  These
look-alike grids will be available through Fall 2002.  NCEP is
currently making these look-alike grids in parallel production.
These data are available on the NCEP ftp server at:

    ftp://ftpprd.ncep.noaa.gov/pub/data/nccf/com/mrf/para/.

    Finally, in early June the resolution of the NCEP global
model will be increased from T170L42 to T254L64.

    The change in resolution of the RUC model from 40 km to 20
km originally scheduled for Tuesday, 9 April at 12Z has been
rescheduled for Tuesday, 16 April at 12Z.  There will be no
change in the forecast grids being disseminated via AWIPS or
Family of Services.  A Real-Time Test and Evaluation of the 20 Km
RUC began on 8 March.  Test data are available on the NCEP ftp
server at:

    ftp://ftpprd.ncep.noaa.gov/pub/data/nccf/com/ruc/para/

and also on the NWS ftp server at:

    ftp://tgftp.nws.noaa.gov/SL.us008001/ST.opnt/.

    A list of the major model implementations planned for 2002
can be found at:

    http://www.nco.ncep.noaa.gov/pmb/changes