Table 3. WMO GRIB bulletin header descriptors.
T1 T21 A12 A2 dd Station id
O A
B
C
J
K
M
N
P
Y
N A
C
E
G
I
J
K
L
M
X
N
Y
O
P
Q
Z
R
S
T
U
88 KWBJ
Where:

  • T1 is the bulletin type descriptor: O - oceanographic.
  • T2 is the parameter descriptor, see notes below.
  • A1 is the grid and domain descriptor: M - 0.25o x 0.25o lon/lat grid over domain from 98.25oW - 29.75oW and 0.25oS - 50.25oN.
  • A2 is the forecast hour descriptor, see notes below.
  • dd is the surface descriptor: 88 - ocean surface.
Notes:

1. Parameter descriptors

  • A - u-wind component
  • B - v-wind component
  • C - Total significant wave height
  • J - Peak wave period
  • K - Peak wave direction
  • M - Peak wind sea period
  • N - peak wind sea direction
  • P - Dm
  • Y - Tm

2. Forecast hour descriptors at 6-h intervals from 0- to 72-h and at 12-h intervals from 72- to 168-h.