Model type:

The model type is shown in the upper left hand corner of the product. This plot is made from the output of the MM5-GFS. A detailed description of the models we run can be found here. Different numerical weather models may produce distinct forecasts due to the way each model calculates the future state of the atmosphere. Currently our group runs the MM5 and the WRF at the mesoscale level.

Resolution:

The resolution is the distance between the grid points of the model. The resolution can be found following the model type in the legend. For this image the model resolution is 36-km. Currently our group runs the MM5-GFS at 36, 12 and 4-km, the MM5-ETA at 36 and 12-km and the WRF-GFS at 36 and 12-km resolutions.

Initialization:

The initialization time is the time at which the forecast model is started and can be found in the top right corner of the legend in UTC.

Forecast hour:

Forecast models produce output at many different hours in the future. The 'Fcst:' hour, found at the top left of the legend, describes the hour, after the initialization, the plot represents.

Valid:

The valid time, found at the top right of the legend, describes the time the forecast represents in UTC and Pacific Standard Time.

Field description:

The upper left corner of the legend contains information regarding what is plotted for the selected field. For example, this plot is of the temperature at 925 mb (blue), the sea level pressure (black) and wind at 10 m (black wind barbs).

Colors and contours:

Below the product is information regarding the colors used and the contour intervals of the lines. For example, this product plots isobars every 2 hPa and isotherms every 4 degrees C.