Experimental Threats runs BUFR files

What are they?

BUFR soundings from new 8km/60level HiResWindow runs are now available on the NCEP ftp server. These runs will replace the current 10km/60level nested Meso Eta runs (aka Threats) in June. The new HiResWindow runs are made at a higher resolution than the current runs ( 8 vs. 10km) and are made with NCEP's Nonhydrostatic Meso Model using a hybrid (sigma/pressure) vertical coordinate with nonhydrostatic dynamics. Images depicting the areal coverage of each run is provided below:

8km Eastern US
8km Central US
8km Western US
8km Alaska

Note that the available BUFR stations for the threats runs are the same as those for the operational Eta BUFR data.

How do I get these data?

The experimental threats run BUFR data can be downloaded and processed in Modsnd 2002 for viewing in BUFKIT 4. I have put an updated get_bufr script on the SOO/STRC ftp server in the nawips/modsnd directory.

Once you have replaced your current script with the new one, edit get_bufr to select the appropriate threats run for your area in section 7 of the configurable parameters:

#########################################################################
# 7. Define the location of experimental Eta runs on the NCEP server.
# Note that these are not operational and their whereabouts are
# sometimes unknown. Moreover, they have a bad habit of appearing and
# disappearing without notice. Nonetheless, these data may be of
# value so they are included in the get_bufr package.
# #
# The location of these data may change and sometimes the data are
# just not available. That's why they call them experimental.
# #
# NOTE Use the <etax> option to grab these data #
#########################################################################
set ETA_EXP_DIR = /pub/emc/mmb/mmbpll
set ETA_EXP_RUN = west08.t06z <- Change to your area

# ETA_EXP_RUN OPTIONS AS OF May 2002
# alaska10.t00z : 10-km Alaska Meso run from 00Z
# west08.t06z : 8-km Western US Meso run from 06Z
# central08.t12z : 8-km Central US Meso run from 12Z
# east08.t18z : 8 km Eastern US Meso run from 18Z

# hi08.t00z : 8-km Hawaii Meso run from 00Z
# hi08.t12z : 8-km Hawaii Meso run from 12Z
# pr08.t06z : 8-km Puerto Rico Meso run from 06Z
# pr08.t18z : 8-km Puerto Rico Meso run from 18Z

All Threats runs are out 48 hours

Important! These data are available ~7-9 hours after the cycle time, so the western US nest data are not available until ~ 13-15 UTC. Keep this in mind when setting up your cron jobs.

Here is an example of the the get_bufr syntax for the Olympia, WA sounding:

% get_bufr 727920 12 etax olm

Note the use of etax

Also, the cycle time <12> is irrelevant and will be ignored. The get_bufr script will pull data from the most recent run. The get_bufr script will also determine if you already have the most current data on the server and will not download the bufr file again.