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Atlantic Real-Time Ocean Forecast System (Discontinued)

Home Compare with Obs* Data Assim* Monitor* RTOFS & WOCE* Graphics Viewer* Data Access About the Model
* -- MMAB internal use only

NOTICE: As of March 14, 2017, the National Centers for Environmental Prediction (NCEP) discontinued the North Atlantic Basin Real Time Ocean Forecasting System (RTOFS Atlantic). This system has been superseded by the Global Real Time Ocean Forecasting System (RTOFS Global), which became operational October 2011. More information is available here.

The Atlantic operational Real Time Ocean Forecasting System (Atlantic RTOFS) is a basin-scale ocean forecast system based on the HYbrid Coordinate Ocean Model (HYCOM). Atlantic RTOFS is described in the following paper (PDF): "A Real Time Ocean Forecast System for the North Atlantic Ocean" by Mehra and Rivin, Terr. Atmos. Ocean. Sci., Vol. 21, No. 1, 211-228, February 2010

The model is run once a day, completing at about 1400Z. Each run starts with a 24 hour assimiliation hindcast and produces ocean surface forecasts every hour and full volume forecasts every 24 hours from the 0000Z nowcast out to 120 hours.

Atlantic RTOFS model data is available after 1400 UTC (9 AM EST).
Nowcast/Forecast graphics are updated around 1600 UTC (11 AM EST).

Latest Atlantic RTOFS SST image
Atlantic RTOFS Sea Surface Temperature for 22 Jul 2013
Click to enlarge

Descriptions of the main menu options

The following selections are available from the main menu at the top of the page.

Compare with ObsDaily satellite and model SST comparisons
Data AssimAnalysis of the assimilation of observational data into the model
Atlantic RTOFS & WOCEComparison of vertical cross sections of the model basin with World Ocean Circulation Experiment section data.
Graphics ViewerDaily suite of graphical analyses of the model outputs. All of the model parameters (temperature, salinity, sea surface height, mixed layer depth, and velocities) are sampled at a variety of depths.
Data AccessHow to get and use the model data. Information is available on the data formats used as well as methods of accessing the data interactively.
About the ModelBackground information on the Atlantic RTOFS model

Disclaimer

While Atlantic RTOFS is an operational model, we cannot guarantee the timeliness or accuracy of the model data and figures offered on this site. Please see our disclaimer for more information.

IMPORTANT NOTE: The velocity lat/lon values that are stored in the RTOFS GRiB files (lavv, lovv, lauv, louv) are not correct. The pressure point lat/lon values (lapp, lopp) are correct. The file RTOFS_grid_reference.mat.gz available from our FTP server is a Matlab .mat file with the correct u/v lat/lon points derived directly from the HYCOM regional.grid.a file. (23 February 2011).

Questions or Comments?

We welcome any questions or comments you may have on the Atlantic RTOFS system.

Subscribe to the RTOFS Users mailing list. This list is for announcements of new features and releases as well as general discussions on the model.

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Page last modified: Wednesday, 12-Dec-2018 20:29:38 UTC