About the Short Range Forecast

Issuance Times


Product Time
12 and 24 hr progs 0430Z (Night Shift)
1630Z (Day Shift)
36 and 48 hr progs 0730Z (Night Shift)
1930Z (Day Shift)
18 and 30 hr progs 0900Z (Night Shift)
2100Z (Day Shift)
Discussion 0715Z (Night Shift)
1915Z (Day Shift)


About These Products


The "Basic Weather" forecaster is responsible for preparing the 12, 18, 24, 30, 36, and 48 hour surface progs (forecasts). These progs are issued twice a day based on output from the 00Z and 12Z model runs.  Emphasis is placed on the subjective modification of numerical guidance, especially with regard to timing and placement of coded fronts, high and low pressure systems and instantaneous precipitation (coverage and type). The primary aim is to accurately depict the evolution of major weather systems that will affect the continental U.S. during the next two (2) days.

Please note that the transmission space limits the NFDPMDSPD narrative to 40 lines, thus this message is necessarily short and sometimes may not discuss significant weather conditions over the entire continental U.S. in detail and may not be able to get into as much technical detail as users may like.