About NBM v4.0 Text Bulletins

The NBM text bulletins take data from the gridded NBM forecasts and generate data for weather stations from the closest usable grid point. Bulletins are available for over 9,000 land and marine stations in the CONUS, Alaska, Hawaii, Puerto Rico, Guam, and Oceanic-domains. Not all elements may be available for all stations. All regions (including both land and marine stations) are included in the same product.

There are five NBM text bulletins, which cover different time scales and different elements. The products are as follows:

(*Actual forecast hours change according to cycle. Listed times are for 00Z and 12Z cycles.):

Product Name Product Type Time step Forecast Hours covered
NBH Hourly 1-Hourly Hours 1-25
NBS Short 3-Hourly Hours 6-72*
NBE Extended 12-Hourly Hours 24-192*
NBX Super-Extended 12-Hourly Hours 204-264* (continuation of NBE)
NBP Probabilistic (Extended period) 12-Hourly Hours 24-228*

Example bulletins for each of the types (NBH,NBS,NBE,NBX,NBP) are listed below. At the bottom of the page, additional stations from different locations are displayed to show expected data at different regions (and at land vs. marine stations).

The bulletins consist of the following:

  • The first line always consists of: the station call(short name), bulletin name, forecast date, and forecast cycle.
  • The following 2-3 lines show the forecast valid date/time and/or model forecast hour. All forecast dates and times are listed in UTC time.
  • The lines following the date/time consist of various weather elements. These elements vary by bulletin type, region, and sometimes cycle. 
  • Large values: any value which would be printed as >998 will be printed as 998 (except MSLP: see element description below for details)
  • Large negative values:  Any element with a displayed value < -98 will be displayed as -98.

Missing Data:


For all Elements, a value of -99 indicates missing data. If data are missing for all forecast hours, the line for that element will not be printed. [NOTE: This is different than previous versions, where missing data was listed as 999 ] 

Changes from NBM v3.2 Text Bulletins

Users should take note of the following changes from the NBM v3.2 products:

  • Approxamately 3000 new stations have been added to the station list, and co-located stations have been removed. For more details on the stations with NBM text data, please see the NBM v4.0 station table. 
  • Missing elements are now denoted by -99 instead of 999. This change is for better readability. (Values with display number >998 will still be listed as 998 to avoid confusion. Values < - 98 will be displayed as -98.)  
  • Unlimited visibility/ceiling elements are now denoted as -88 instead of 888 for better readability.
  • New elements have been added. New elements are listed in bold and marked with an asterisk (*).
  • Some elements have changed format, position, and/or name. These elements are marked with a double asterisk(**).
  • The positions of many elements have changed. Please read the key for current data order and format.
  • The size of the NBE bulletin has been increased slightly from 72 to 73 characters per line for better readability.
  • CLIMO data for Tmax and Tmin has been updated for CONUS and AK, and a QPF climatology has been added
  • Major cycles for bulletins have changed. They are now centered on 01z, 07z, 13z, and 19z

NBH

NBH Example Bulletin (CONUS, land station)

 KBWI   NBM V4.0 NBH GUIDANCE    5/18/2020  1300 UTC
 UTC  14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 00 01 02 03 04 05 06 07 08 09 10 11 12 13 14
 TMP  60 61 62 64 65 66 66 66 65 65 64 62 61 59 58 57 56 56 55 55 55 56 58 60 62
 TSD   1  1  2  2  2  3  3  3  3  3  3  3  3  3  3  3  3  2  2  2  2  2  2  2  2
 DPT  54 54 55 55 55 55 54 52 50 49 47 46 46 45 44 44 43 44 43 44 44 44 45 45 45
 DSD   1  1  2  2  2  2  2  3  3  3  3  3  3  3  3  3  3  2  2  2  2  2  2  2  2
 SKY  96 95 94 94 95 95 96 96 93 92 85 71 71 69 84 77 73 71 65 70 59 66 66 72 64
 SSD   7  8  7  7  7  7  6  7  8 11 24 30 35 32 12 21 26 26 36 31 32 25 27 28 34
 WDR   6  6  6  6  7  7  7  7  7  6  6  6  5  5  5  4  4  4  4  5  5  5  6  7  7
 WSP   8  9 10 10 11 11 12 11 12 11 10 10  9  9  8  7  7  6  6  7  7  8 10 12 12
 WSD   1  1  1  1  1  1  2  2  2  2  2  2  2  2  2  2  2  2  2  2  2  2  1  1  2
 GST  13 13 14 15 17 17 16 16 16 17 16 15 14 13 13 12 12 10 11  9 10 13 17 18 17
 GSD   3  4  3  4  4  4  4  5  3  3  4  4  3  3  3  3  3  3  3  3  3  4  5  5  4
 P01   2  1  1  3  3  2  3  4  3  2  3  2  2  1  1  1  1  1  1  1  1  1  1  2  2
 P06                                12                 8                 8
 Q01   0  0  0  0  0  0  0  0  0  0  0  0  0  0  0  0  0  0  0  0  0  0  0  0  0
 T01   0  0  0  0  0  0  0  0  1  1  1  1  0  0  0  0  0  0  0  0  0  0  0  0  0
 PZR   0  0  0  0  0  0  0  0  0  0  0  0  0  0  0  0  0  0  0  0  0  0  0  0  0
 PSN   0  0  0  0  0  0  0  0  0  0  0  0  0  0  0  0  0  0  0  0  0  0  0  0  0
 PPL   0  0  0  0  0  0  0  0  0  0  0  0  0  0  0  0  0  0  0  0  0  0  0  0  0
 PRA 100100100100100100100100100100100100100100100100100100100100100100100100100
 S01   0  0  0  0  0  0  0  0  0  0  0  0  0  0  0  0  0  0  0  0  0  0  0  0  0
 SLV  92 93 95 97 98 98 99 99 99 99 97 96 95 94 93 93 93 93 93 93 92 93 93 93 96
 I01   0  0  0  0  0  0  0  0  0  0  0  0  0  0  0  0  0  0  0  0  0  0  0  0  0
 CIG   8  7  9  9 11 11 15 13 18 22 27 35 45 45 45 60100110-88-88-88120120120110
 MVC 100100100100100 90 73 74 59 46 35 22 16 15 12 10  9  9  9  9 11 12 13 13 13
 IFC  51 57 35 31 28 24  9 10  6  6  6  2  0  0  0  0  0  0  0  1  1  0  2  1  0
 LIC   8  9  2  1  0  0  0  0  0  0  0  0  0  0  0  0  0  0  0  0  0  0  0  0  0
 LCB   8  7  9  9 11 11 15 13 18 22 27 35 45 45 45 60100110210230220120120120110
 VIS 100100100100100100100100100100100100100100100100100100100100100100100100100
 MVV  11 12 10  6  7  4  1  1  2  4  5  3  1  0  0  0  0  0  0  0  0  0  0  0  0
 IFV   5  5  4  3  2  1  0  0  1  1  1  1  0  0  0  0  0  0  0  0  0  0  0  0  0
 LIV   0  0  0  0  0  0  0  0  0  0  0  0  0  0  0  0  0  0  0  0  0  0  0  0  0
 MHT  13 16 19 22 25 28 28 26 26 24 22 19 17 15 14 12 12 12 10 11 12 15 22 26 29
 TWD   6  6  6  6  6  7  7  7  6  6  6  6  6  5  5  5  5  5  5  5  5  6  7  8  8
 TWS  14 15 16 16 18 17 18 19 18 19 19 21 18 17 18 18 17 16 14 15 15 18 19 21 21
 HID                                 3                 3                 3
 SOL  15 16 21 23 27 32 16 15 11  7  2  0  0  0  0  0  0  0  0  0  1 11 25 42 55

Data Key

Date/time lines

  • UTC = forcast valid hour (in UTC) (date as in line 1, unless past 23Z - then the following date is valid)

Elements

  • TMP = temperature, degrees F
  • TSD* = standard deviation of temperature, degrees F
  • DPT = dew point temperature, degrees F
  • DSD* = dew point temperature standard deviation, degrees F
  • SKY = sky cover, percent
  • SSD* = sky cover standard deviation, percent
  • WDR = wind direction, nearest tens degrees (northerly=36; easterly=9; calm=00)
    • oceanic-only stations only have WDR for cycles=0,7,12,19
  • WSP = wind speed, knots
  • WSD* = wind speed standard deviation, knots
  • GST = wind gust, knots
  • GSD* = wind gust standard deviation, knots 
  • P01 = 1-hour PoP, percent
  • P06 = 6-hour PoP, percent
  • Q01 = 1-hour QPF, 1/100 inches
  • T01 = 1-hour thunderstorm probability, percent
  • PZR = conditional probability of freezing rain, percent
  • PSN = conditional probability of snow, percent
  • PPL = conditional probability of sleet / ice pellets, percent
  • PRA = conditional probability of rain, percent
  • S01 = 1-hour snow amount, 1/10 inches
  • SLV = snow level, 100s feet MSL
  • I01 = 1-hour ice amount, 1/100 inches
  • CIG* = ceiling height, 100s feet  (>5000 ft reported to the nearest 1000 ft; -88=unlimited)
  • MVC* = probability of ceiling MVFR flight conditions (ceiling <= 3000 ft), percent
  • IFC* = probability of ceiling IFR flight conditions (ceiling < 1000 ft), percent
  • LIC* = probability of ceiling LIFR flight conditions (ceiling < 500 ft), percent
  • LCB** = lowest cloud base, 100s feet (>5000 ft reported to the nearest 1000 ft; -88=unlimited)
  • VIS = visibility, 1/10th miles (rounded to nearest mile for values >= 1 mile) [Note: values before approx. 2019-06-01 are in full miles]
  • MVV* = probability of visibility MVFR flight conditions (visibility <= 5 miles), percent
  • IFV* = probability of visibility IFR flight conditions (visibility < 3 miles), percent
  • LIV* = probability of visibility LIFR flight conditions (visibility < 1 mile), percent
  • MHT = mixing height, 100s feet AGL
  • TWD = transport wind direction, nearest tens degrees (northerly=36; easterly=9; calm=00)
  • TWS = transport wind speed, knots (<0.5 knots will be listed as 0 (calm))
  • HID = Haines Index (unitless)
  • SOL** = instantaneous solar radiation, 10s W/m2 (ex: 8=80 W/m2; non-zero values < 10 = 1) 

(For additional information about NBM weather elements, see the Element Key)

Back to Top

 

NBS

NBS Example Bulletin (CONUS, land station)

 KBWI    NBM V4.0 NBS GUIDANCE    5/18/2020  1300 UTC
 DT /MAY  18/MAY  19                /MAY  20                /MAY  21
 UTC  18 21 00 03 06 09 12 15 18 21 00 03 06 09 12 15 18 21 00 03 06 09 12
 FHR  05 08 11 14 17 20 23 26 29 32 35 38 41 44 47 50 53 56 59 62 65 68 71
 TXN                    54          68          49          63          48
 XND                     2           2           2           2           2
 TMP  65 66 64 59 56 55 58 64 67 65 60 55 52 51 53 57 62 62 58 52 50 49 52
 TSD   2  3  3  3  3  2  2  2  3  2  2  2  2  2  2  2  2  2  2  2  2  2  2
 DPT  55 52 47 45 43 44 45 44 41 38 36 38 37 36 37 39 40 40 39 41 42 43 45
 DSD   2  3  3  3  3  2  2  2  3  2  2  2  2  2  2  2  2  2  2  2  2  2  2
 SKY  95 96 85 69 73 70 66 60 51 66 86 89 92 87 84 71 69 60 54 67 66 71 71
 SSD   7  7 24 32 26 31 27 24 38 32 12  8  6 16 22 17 18 18 11 19 21 22 21
 WDR   7  7  6  5  4  5  6  7  8  8  8  7  7  7  7  7  8  8  8  8  7  6  7
 WSP  11 11 10  9  7  7 10 14 16 15 14 12 10 10 11 13 14 13 11  9  8  7  8
 WSD   1  2  2  2  2  2  1  3  2  2  2  2  2  1  1  2  2  2  2  2  2  2  2
 GST  17 16 16 13 12  9 17 18 22 23 19 18 17 11 14 15 19 19 14 11 10  9 10
 GSD   4  5  4  3  3  3  5  4  5  3  3  6  6  5  5  5  2  3  4  3  2  3  2
 P06        12     8     8     9    12    12    13    12    14    15    19
 P12                    13          16          17          18          24
 Q06         0     0     0     0     0     0     0     0     0     0     0
 Q12                     0           0           0           0           0
 DUR                     0           0           0           0           0
 T03   0  0  1  1  0  0  0  0  0  0  0  0  0  0  0  0  0  0  0  0  1  1  0
 T06         3     2     0     0     2     2     0     1     2     1     1
 T12                     2           2           2           2           1
 PZR   0  0  0  0  0  0  0  0  0  0  0  0  0  0  0  0  0  0  0  0  0  0  0
 PSN   0  0  0  0  0  0  0  0  0  0  0  0  0  0  0  0  0  0  0  0  0  0  0
 PPL   0  0  0  0  0  0  0  0  0  0  0  0  0  0  0  0  0  0  0  0  0  0  0
 PRA 100100100100100100100100100100100100100100100100100100100100100100100
 S06         0     0     0     0     0     0     0     0     0     0     0
 SLV  98 99 97 94 93 93 93 97 96 98 86 91 67 65 73 76 79 68 70 67 69 71 76
 I06         0     0     0     0     0     0     0     0     0     0     0
 CIG  11 13 27 45100-88120100-88-88 90100100 90 49 47 50 60-88 50 27 15  7
 IFC  28 10  6  0  0  1  2  0  1  0  1  0  0  0  0  1  6  2  3  7  7 18 39
 LCB  11 13 27 45100230120100190180 90 60 60 70 49 45 50 60 50 20 17  9  7
 VIS 100100100100100100100100100100100100100100100100100100100100100100100
 IFV   2  0  1  0  0  0  0  0  1  0  0  0  0  0  0  2  0  1  1  0  1  3  8
 MHT  25 26 22 15 12 11 22 32 47 44 32 26 26 27 31 33 41 38 33 27 20 16 17
 TWD   6  7  6  5  5  5  7  8  8  8  8  8  8  8  9  9  9  9  9  9  8  7  7
 TWS  18 19 19 17 17 15 19 21 28 28 28 24 22 20 21 19 20 20 20 18 15 15 15
 HID         3     3     3     5     5     4     4     4     4     4     4
 SOL  27 15  2  0  0  0 25 71 77 46  9  0  0  0  8 27 37 65 46  0  0  0  1

Data Key

Date/time lines

  • DT (or blank) = forcast valid date (in UTC)
  • UTC = forcast valid hour (in UTC)
  • FHR = model forecast hour (number of hours forward from forecast date/cycle)

Elements

  • TXN** = (formerly X/N or N/X) = 18-hour maximum and minimum temperatures, degrees F.
    • Min is between 00Z-18Z and reported at 12Z (except Guam)
    • Max is between 12z(current day)-06Z(next day) and reported at 00z(following day) (except Guam)
    • Guam stations report Tmax at 12z and Tmin at 00z.
  • XND* = standard deviation of maximum or minimum temperature, degrees F 
  • TMP = temperature, degrees F
  • TSD* = standard deviation of temperature, degrees F
  • DPT = dew point temperature, degrees F
  • DSD* = dew point temperature standard deviation, degrees F
  • SKY = sky cover, percent
  • SSD* = sky cover standard deviation, percent
  • WDR = wind direction, nearest tens degrees (northerly=36; easterly=9; calm=00)
    • oceanic-only stations only have WDR for cycles=0,7,12,19
  • WSP = wind speed, knots (<0.5 knots will be listed as 0 (calm))
  • WSD* = wind speed standard deviation, knots
  • GST = wind gust, knots
  • GSD* = wind gust standard deviation, knots 
  • P06 = 6-hour PoP, percent
  • P12 = 12-hour PoP, percent
  • Q06 = 6-hour QPF, 1/100 inches 
  • Q12 = 12-hour QPF, 1/100 inches 
  • DUR = Duration of precipitation, hours
  • T03 = 3-hour thunderstorm probability, percent
  • T06* = 6-hour thunderstorm probability, percent
  • T12 = 12-hour thunderstorm probability, percent
  • PZR = conditional probability of freezing rain, percent
  • PSN = conditional probability of snow, percent
  • PPL = conditional probability of sleet / ice pellets, percent
  • PRA = conditional probability of rain, percent
  • S06 = 6-hour snow amount, 1/10 inches
  • SLV** = snow level, 100s feet MSL (rounded to nearest 1000 ft for values > 10,000 ft)
  • I06 = 6-hour ice amount, 1/100 inches
  • CIG** = ceiling height, 100s feet (>5000 ft reported to the nearest 1000 ft; -88=unlimited)
  • IFC* = probability of ceiling IFR flight conditions (ceiling < 1000 ft), percent
  • LCB** = lowest cloud base, 100s feet (>5000 ft reported to the nearest 1000 ft; -88=unlimited)
  • VIS** = visibility, 1/10th miles up to 10 miles (rounded to nearest mile for values >= 1 mile; VIS > 10 miles = 100) 
  • IFV* = probability of visibility IFR flight conditions (visibility < 3 miles), percent
  • MHT = mixing height, 100s feet AGL
  • TWD = transport wind direction, nearest tens degrees (northerly=36; easterly=9; calm=00)
  • TWS = transport wind speed, knots (<0.5 knots will be listed as 0 (calm))
  • HID = Haines Index (unitless)
  • SOL** = instantaneous solar radiation, 10s W/m2 (ex: 8=80 W/m2; non-zero values < 10 = 1) 
  • SWH = significant wave height, feet (marine and some near-water stations only)

(For additional information about NBM weather elements, see the Element Key)

Back to Top

 

NBE

NBE Example Bulletin (CONUS, land station)

 KBWI    NBM V4.0 NBE GUIDANCE    5/18/2020  1300 UTC
   TUE 19 |WED 20 |THU 21 |FRI 22 |SAT 23 |SUN 24 |MON 25 |TUE 26  CLIMO
 UTC    12| 00  12| 00  12| 00  12| 00  12| 00  12| 00  12| 00  12
 FHR    23| 35  47| 59  71| 83  95|107 119|131 143|155 167|179 191
 TXN    54| 68  49| 63  48| 68  55| 74  60| 79  59| 77  58| 77  61  56 77
 XND     2|  2   2|  2   2|  3   3|  4   1|  2   2|  4   2|  4   3
 TMP    58| 60  53| 58  52| 64  59| 71  65| 74  64| 72  63| 72  64
 TSD     2|  2   2|  2   2|  2   4|  3   2|  2   2|  2   1|  3   3
 DPT    45| 36  37| 39  45| 51  56| 59  60| 59  58| 57  57| 58  60
 DSD     2|  2   2|  2   2|  2   4|  3   2|  2   2|  2   1|  2   3
 SKY    66| 86  84| 54  71| 72  83| 62  50| 34  49| 41  60| 45  56
 SSD    27| 12  22| 11  21| 15  12| 15  26| 25  10| 23  17| 17  21
 WDR     6|  8   7|  8   7| 10   8| 11   1|  8   6| 12   8| 12  12
 WSP    10| 14  11| 11   8|  7   4|  4   3|  4   4|  5   3|  6   4
 WSD     1|  2   1|  2   2|  2   1|  2   2|  2   1|  2   1|  1   2
 GST    17| 19  14| 14  10| 10   9|  8   7|  7   9|  9   7|  9   5
 GSD     5|  3   5|  4   2|  2   1|  2   2|  3   2|  3   2|  3   2
 P12    13| 16  17| 18  24| 33  57| 70  61| 61  16| 21  14| 19  20  25 26
 Q12     0|  0   0|  0   0|  0  16| 19  14|  0   0|  0   0|  0   0
 Q24      |      0|      0|     16|     33|      0|      0|      0  93
 DUR     0|  0   0|  0   0|  0   4|  4   4|  0   0|  0   0|  0   0
 T12     2|  2   2|  2   1|  2  14| 32  25| 19  10| 13  10| 14   9
 PZR     0|  0   0|  0   0|  0   0|  0   0|  0   0|  0   0|  0   0
 PSN     0|  0   0|  0   0|  0   0|  0   0|  0   0|  0   0|  0   0
 PPL     0|  0   0|  0   0|  0   0|  0   0|  0   0|  0   0|  0   0
 PRA   100|100 100|100 100|100 100|100 100|100 100|100 100|100 100
 S12     0|  0   0|  0   0|  0   0|  0   0|  0   0|  0   0|  0   0
 SLV    93| 86  73| 70  76| 96 100|110 100|100  95| 98 100|100 100
 I12     0|  0   0|  0   0|  0   0|  0   0|  0   0|  0   0|  0   0
 S24      |      0|      0|      0|      0|      0|      0|      0
 SOL    12| 53   8| 44   1|  9   1| 34   5| 49   4| 41   1| 13   1

Data Key

Date/time lines

  • (second line) = forcast valid dates (in UTC)
  • UTC = forcast valid hour (in UTC)
  • FHR = model forecast hour (number of hours forward from forecast date/cycle)

Elements

  • TXN** = (formerly X/N or N/X) = 18-hour maximum and minimum temperatures, degrees F.
    • Min is between 00Z-18Z and reported at 12Z (except Guam)
    • Max is between 12z(current day)-06Z(next day) and reported at 00z(following day) (except Guam)
    • Guam stations report Tmax at 12z and Tmin at 00z.
  • XND* = standard deviation of maximum or minimum temperature, degrees F 
  • TMP = temperature, degrees F
  • TSD* = standard deviation of temperature, degrees F
  • DPT = dew point temperature, degrees F
  • DSD* = dew point temperature standard deviation, degrees F
  • SKY = sky cover, percent
  • SSD* = sky cover standard deviation, percent
  • WDR = wind direction, nearest tens degrees (northerly=36; easterly=9; calm=00)
    • oceanic-only stations only have WDR for cycles=0,7,12,19
  • WSP = wind speed, knots (<0.5 knots will be listed as 0 (calm))
  • WSD* = wind speed standard deviation, knots
  • GST = wind gust, knots
  • GSD* = wind gust standard deviation, knots 
  • P12 = 12-hour PoP, percent
  • Q12 = 12-hour QPF, 1/100 inches
  • Q24 = 24-hour QPF, 1/100 inches
  • DUR = Duration of precipitation, hours (CONUS only) 
  • T12 = 12-hour thunderstorm probability, percent
  • PZR = conditional probability of freezing rain, percent
  • PSN = conditional probability of snow, percent
  • PPL = conditional probability of sleet / ice pellets, percent
  • PRA = conditional probability of rain, percent
  • S12 = 12-hour snow amount, 1/10 inches
  • SLV = snow level, 100s feet MSL
  • I12 = 12-hour ice amount, 1/100 inches
  • S24 = 24-hour snow amount, 1/10 inches
  • SOL** = 12-hour mean++ solar radiation, 10s W/m2 (++for hours in period with sunlight present) 
  • SWH = significant wave height, feet (marine and some near-water stations only)

(For additional information about NBM weather elements, see the Element Key)

CLIMO

Climatology data for select stations are displayed under the CLIMO column. These include: daily maxiumum and minumum temperatures (TXN), 12-hour PoP from 00z-12z and 12z-00z (P12), and estimated weekly total QPF (Q24)These are all calculated from monthly datasets and interpolated to expected values at Day 4 (middle date). 

  • For QPF, an estimated Weekly Total precipitation was calculated from PRISM climatological monthly mean precipiation totals for 1981-2010 (CONUS) and 1971-2000 (Alaska).  
  • For temperatures, the climatological daily maxiumum and minium were calculated from PRISM climatological monthly maxiumum and minuimum temperatures for 1981-2010 (CONUS) and 1971-2000 (Alaska).  
  • For PoP 12, the CLIMO displays the normal observed relative frequencies of 0.01 inches or more of precipitation during the 96-108 and 108-120h (00z) or 84-96 and 96-108 h (12Z) periods calculated from the climatological norm for the 1971-2000 NCDC data for Day 4. The technique generating these climatologies is the same as for MEX bulletins, and detailed information can be found in MDL TPB 05-07. (This is the same dataset available for CLIMO in NBM v3.2 text products.)

Back to Top

 

NBX

NBX Example Bulletin (CONUS, land station)

 KBWI    NBM V4.0 NBX GUIDANCE    5/18/2020  1300 UTC
      WED 27| THU 28| FRI 29| SAT 30| SUN 31| MON 01| TUE 02|WED 03
 UTC 00  12 |00  12 |00  12 |00  12 |00  12 |00  12 |00  12 |00
 FHR 203 215|227 239|251 263|275 287|299 311|323 335|347 359|371
 TXN  79  62| 81  62| 81  62|       |       |       |       |
 XND   2   3|  2   2|  1   2|       |       |       |       |
 TMP  74  67| 75  67| 75  67|       |       |       |       |
 TSD   2   4|  2   3|  2   3|       |       |       |       |
 DPT  60  61| 59  61| 59  61|       |       |       |       |
 DSD   2   4|  2   3|  2   3|       |       |       |       |
 SKY  40  53| 37  56| 43  42|       |       |       |       |
 SSD  12  20|  6  19| 15  11|       |       |       |       |
 WDR  15  19| 16  19| 16  18|       |       |       |       |
 WSP   6   3|  5   3|  6   4|       |       |       |       |
 WSD   2   2|  1   1|  1   1|       |       |       |       |
 GST   7   4|  8   7| 12  10|       |       |       |       |
 GSD   2   1|  3   3|  5   5|       |       |       |       |
 P12  35  27| 30  23| 36  25|       |       |       |       |
 Q12   0   0|  0   0|  0   0|       |       |       |       |
 Q24       0|      0|      0|     16|     17|     15|     17|
 DUR   0   0|  0   0|  0   0|       |       |       |       |
 PZR   0   0|  0   0|  0   0|       |       |       |       |
 PSN   0   0|  0   0|  0   0|       |       |       |       |
 PPL   0   0|  0   0|  0   0|       |       |       |       |
 PRA 100 100|100 100|100 100|       |       |       |       |
 S12   0   0|  0   0|  0   0|       |       |       |       |
 SLV 110 100|110 110|110 110|       |       |       |       |
 I12   0   0|  0   0|  0   0|       |       |       |       |
 S24       0|      0|      0|       |       |       |       |
 SOL  41   1| 56   2| 56   3|       |       |       |       |

Data Key

Date/time lines

  • (second line) = forcast valid dates (in UTC)
  • UTC = forcast valid hour (in UTC)
  • FHR = model forecast hour (number of hours forward from forecast date/cycle)

Elements

  • TXN** = (formerly X/N or N/X) = 18-hour maximum and minimum temperatures, degrees F.
    • Min is between 00Z-18Z and reported at 12Z (except Guam)
    • Max is between 12z(current day)-06Z(next day) and reported at 00z(following day) (except Guam)
    • Guam stations report Tmax at 12z and Tmin at 00z.
  • XND* = standard deviation of maximum or minimum temperature, degrees F 
  • TMP = temperature, degrees F
  • TSD* = standard deviation of temperature, degrees F
  • DPT = dew point temperature, degrees F
  • DSD* = dew point temperature standard deviation, degrees F
  • SKY = sky cover, percent
  • SSD* = sky cover standard deviation, percent
  • WDR = wind direction, nearest tens degrees (northerly=36; easterly=9; calm=00)
    • oceanic-only stations only have WDR for cycles=0,7,12,19
  • WSP = wind speed, knots (<0.5 knots will be listed as 0 (calm))
  • WSD* = wind speed standard deviation, knots
  • GST = wind gust, knots
  • GSD* = wind gust standard deviation, knots 
  • P12 = 12-hour PoP, percent
  • Q12 = 12-hour QPF, 1/100 inches
  • Q24 = 24-hour QPF, 1/100 inches
    • For 13Z only: extended QPF from QMD Mean 24-hour QPF displayed for hours ~264-370
  • DUR = Duration of precipitation, hours (CONUS only for NBX)
  • PZR = conditional probability of freezing rain, percent
  • PSN = conditional probability of snow, percent
  • PPL = conditional probability of sleet / ice pellets, percent
  • PRA = conditional probability of rain, percent
  • S12 = 12-hour snow amount, 1/10 inches
  • SLV = snow level, 100s feet MSL
  • I12 = 12-hour ice amount, 1/100 inches
  • S24 = 24-hour snow amount, 1/10 inches
  • SOL** = 12-hour mean++ solar radiation, 10s W/m2 (++for hours in period with sunlight present) 
  • SWH = significant wave height, feet (marine and some near-water stations only)
    • SWH is only available in NBX for the following cycles: 0,1,2,6,7,8,12,13,14,18,19,20

(For additional information about NBM weather elements, see the Element Key)

Back to Top

 

NBP

Note on NBP Data Availability

Data for all elements in NBP is not available for all cycles. All elements are available for 01z, 07z, 13z and 19z.  Some data is available for 00z and 12z. All other cycles data is limited. See entries below for more details.

NBP Example Bulletin (CONUS, land station)

 KBWI    NBM V4.0 NBP GUIDANCE    5/18/2020  1300 UTC
   TUE  19| WED 20| THU 21| FRI 22| SAT 23| SUN 24| MON 25| TUE 26| WED 27|
 UTC    12| 00  12| 00  12| 00  12| 00  12| 00  12| 00  12| 00  12| 00  12| 00
 FHR    23| 35  47| 59  71| 83  95|107 119|131 143|155 167|179 191|203 215|227
 TXNMN  54| 67  50| 61  47| 68  55| 74  61| 78  60| 77  58| 78  60| 80  62| 81
 TXNSD   3|  4   2|  5   3|  6   4|  6   3|  5   4|  6   4|  5   4|  5   4|  5
 TXNP1  51| 62  47| 53  44| 62  51| 68  57| 72  55| 71  53| 71  53| 74  56| 74
 TXNP2  52| 65  48| 59  46| 64  53| 70  60| 74  57| 74  55| 74  57| 77  60| 77
 TXNP5  55| 67  50| 62  48| 68  56| 74  61| 78  60| 77  58| 77  60| 80  62| 81
 TXNP7  56| 70  51| 65  49| 71  57| 77  62| 80  62| 81  61| 81  62| 83  64| 85
 TXNP9  57| 72  52| 67  51| 75  60| 81  64| 83  63| 84  64| 85  65| 86  66| 87
 WSPP1   9| 11  10|  8   5|  5   2|  1   1|  1   2|  2   2|  2   1|  2   1|  2
 WSPP2  10| 13  10|  9   7|  6   4|  3   3|  3   3|  3   3|  3   2|  4   3|  3
 WSPP5  11| 14  12| 11   9|  8   6|  5   5|  5   5|  5   4|  5   3|  5   4|  5
 WSPP7  15| 16  15| 13  12| 10   9|  6   6|  6   8|  7   6|  8   6|  7   6|  7
 WSPP9  17| 16  16| 14  14| 12  10|  8   8|  8   9|  9   8|  9   7|  8   7|  8
 Q24P1    |      0|      0|      0|      0|      0|      0|      0|      0|
 Q24P2    |      0|      0|      0|      6|      0|      0|      0|      0|
 Q24P5    |      0|      0|     10|     23|      7|      0|      0|      2|
 Q24P7    |      1|      3|     41|     46|     16|      4|      5|     13|
 Q24P9    |     29|     31|     73|     73|     30|     13|     19|     32|
 S24P1    |      0|      0|      0|      0|      0|      0|      0|      0|
 S24P2    |      0|      0|      0|      0|      0|      0|      0|      0|
 S24P5    |      0|      0|      0|      0|      0|      0|      0|      0|
 S24P7    |      0|      0|      0|      0|      0|      0|      0|      0|
 S24P9    |      0|      0|      0|      0|      0|      0|      0|      0|
 I24P1    |      0|      0|      0|      0|      0|      0|      0|      0|
 I24P2    |      0|      0|      0|      0|      0|      0|      0|      0|
 I24P5    |      0|      0|      0|      0|      0|      0|      0|      0|
 I24P7    |      0|      0|      0|      0|      0|      0|      0|      0|
 I24P9    |      0|      0|      0|      0|      0|      0|      0|      0|
 SLPP1 018|020 022|023 022|017 015|012 012|012 014|014 015|013 014|013 014|012
 SLPP2 019|022 025|025 026|021 018|013 013|013 016|015 018|016 016|015 016|015
 SLPP5 020|023 026|027 027|023 020|014 015|015 018|018 020|019 019|017 019|017
 SLPP7 021|024 027|028 029|024 022|017 016|017 021|021 023|021 023|020 022|020
 SLPP9 021|025 028|029 030|025 024|019 018|019 023|023 025|023 026|023 024|022

Data Key

Date/time lines

  • (second line) = forcast valid dates (in UTC)
  • UTC = forcast valid hour (in UTC)
  • FHR = model forecast hour (number of hours forward from forecast date/cycle)

Elements

About Probabilistic Elements

The weather elements for NBP are probabilistic percentiles. For X percentile, there is an X% probability that the weather element will be EQUAL TO or BELOW the value listed (or a (100-X) % chance the value will be above what is listed). So for 10th percentile, there is a 10% chance the value will be at or below the number listed, and a 90% chance it will be above. For additional information about NBM weather elements, see the Element Key

Begin Key

  • TXNMN* = QMD Mean  minimum/maximum temperature, F. Minimum is listed at 12z, and Maxiumum is listed at 00z.
  • TXNSD* = QMD Standard Deviation minimum/maximum temperature, F. Minimum is listed at 12z, and Maxiumum is listed at 00z.
  • TXNP1* = QMD 10th percentile minimum/maximum temperature, F. Minimum is listed at 12z, and Maxiumum is listed at 00z.
  • TXNP2* = QMD 25th percentile minimum/maximum temperature, F. Minimum is listed at 12z, and Maxiumum is listed at 00z.
  • TXNP5* = QMD 50th percentile minimum/maximum temperature, F. Minimum is listed at 12z, and Maxiumum is listed at 00z.
  • TXNP7* = QMD 75th percentile minimum/maximum temperature, F. Minimum is listed at 12z, and Maxiumum is listed at 00z.
  • TXNP9* = QMD 90th percentile minimum/maximum temperature, F. Minimum is listed at 12z, and Maxiumum is listed at 00z.
    • QMD Temperature data is currently only available for CONUS domain.
  • WSPP1 = 10th percentile wind speed, knots.
  • WSPP2* = 25th percentile wind speed, knots.
  • WSPP5 = 50th percentile wind speed, knots.
  • WSPP7* = 75th percentile wind speed, knots.
  • WSPP9 = 90th percentile wind speed, knots.
  • Q24P1* = 10th percentile 24-hour QPF, 1/100 inch.
  • Q24P2* = 25th percentile 24-hour QPF, 1/100 inch.
  • Q24P5* = 50th percentile 24-hour QPF, 1/100 inch.
  • Q24P7* = 75th percentile 24-hour QPF, 1/100 inch.
  • Q24P9* = 90th percentile 24-hour QPF, 1/100 inch.
    • Q24P data is QMD 24-hour precipiation. This has replaced 12-hour precipitation (Q12Px)
  • S24P1 = 10th percentile 24-hour snowfall accumulation, 1/10 inch.
  • S24P2* = 250th percentile 24-hour snowfall accumulation, 1/10 inch.
  • S24P5 = 50th percentile 24-hour snowfall accumulation, 1/10 inch.
  • S24P7* = 75th percentile 24-hour snowfall accumulation, 1/10 inch.
  • S24P9 = 90th percentile 24-hour snowfall accumulation, 1/10 inch.
  • I24P1 = 10th percentile 24-hour flat ice accumulation, 1/100 inch.
  • I24P2* = 25th percentile 24-hour flat ice accumulation, 1/100 inch.
  • I24P5 = 50th percentile 24-hour flat ice accumulation, 1/100 inch.
  • I24P7* = 75th percentile 24-hour flat ice accumulation, 1/100 inch.
  • I24P9 = 90th percentile 24-hour flat ice accumulation, 1/100 inch.
  • SLPP1 = 10th percentile mean sea level pressure, mb.
  • SLPP2* = 25th percentile mean sea level pressure, mb.
  • SLPP5 = 50th percentile mean sea level pressure, mb.
  • SLPP7* = 75th percentile mean sea level pressure, mb.
  • SLPP9 = 90th percentile mean sea level pressure, mb.
    • Any SLP value 1000 mb or higher does not show the thousands value. (ex: 1000 mb = 000; 987 mb = 987).

(For additional information about NBM weather elements, see the Element Key)

Back to Top

NBM