Decoding NGM MOS (aka. "FWC")


   MDT  E    NGM MOS GUIDANCE   5/23/03  1200 UTC
DAY /MAY  23 /MAY  24                /MAY  25                /
HOUR   18 21 00 03 06 09 12 15 18 21 00 03 06 09 12 15 18 21 00
MN/MX                    53          66          54          75
TEMP   59 60 58 56 55 53 55 59 61 64 62 59 58 55 58 66 71 71 67
DEWPT  54 54 53 53 54 53 54 55 55 54 52 54 54 51 51 52 51 51 51
CLDS   OV OV OV OV OV OV OV OV OV BK BK BK SC SC SC BK BK BK SC
WDIR   11 12 12 15 09 11 08 14 20 25 28 29 31 32 27 27 29 30 28
WSPD   06 07 13 13 05 08 09 07 07 07 09 07 04 08 06 07 07 10 07
POP06        57    56    71    59    34    25    17    18    21
POP12                    80          65          32          32
QPF         1/    2/    2/4   1/    0/1   0/    0/0   0/    0/0
TSV06      5/ 0  9/ 0 35/ 1 34/ 1 43/16 28/ 2  2/ 2  1/ 1 19/ 7
TSV12           14/ 0       52/ 2       50/17        3/ 2
CIG     3  3  3  3  3  4  3  3  4  5  5     7     7
VIS     3  4  3  3  3  3  3  3  5  5  5     5     5
OBVIS   F  F  F  F  F  F  F  F  N  N  N     N     F
  • MX/MN = Maximum or minimum temperature for daytime/nighttime period.
  • TEMP = Temperature at specified time.
  • DEWPT = Dew point temperature at specified time.
  • CLDS = Cloud cover forecast for specified time (see below).
  • WDIR = Wind direction ( x 10 = compass direction) for specified time.
  • WSPD = Wind speed (kts) for specified time.
  • POP06 = Probability of precipitation for 6-h period ending at specified time.
  • POP12 = Probability of precipitation for 12-h period ending at specified time.
  • QPF = Precipitation amount forecast for 6- and 12-h periods (see below).
  • TSV06 = Thunderstorm/severe probabilities for 6-h periods ending at specified time.
  • TSV12 = Thunderstorm/severe probabilities for 12-h periods ending at specified time.
  • CIG = Ceiling height forecast for specified time (see below).
  • VIS = Visibility forecast for specified time (see below).
  • OBVIS = Obstructions to vision forecast for specified time (see below).

Definition of "FWC" Categorical Forecasts

Cloud (CLD) Categories
CL - clear
SC - scattered
BK - broken
OV - overcast

"A" QPF Categories (A/B format)
0 - no precipitation
1 - 0.01 to 0.09 inches
2 - 0.10 to 0.24 inches
3 - 0.25 to 0.49 inches
4 - 0.50 to 0.99 inches
5 - 1.00 or greater

"B" QPF Categories (A/B format)
0 - no precipitation
1 - 0.01 to 0.09 inches
2 - 0.10 to 0.24 inches
3 - 0.25 to 0.49 inches
4 - 0.50 to 0.99 inches
5 - 1.00 to 1.99 inches
6 - 2.00 inches or greater

Obstruction to Vision (OBV)
H - haze
F - fog
N - no haze or fog

Ceiling "CIG" Categories
1: < 200 feet
2: 200 - 400 feet
3: 500 - 900 feet
4: 1000 - 3000 feet
5: 3100 - 6500 feet
6: 6600 - 12,000 feet
7: > 12,000 feet or unlimited ceiling

Visibility (VIS) Categories
1: < 1/2 miles
2: > 1/2 - < 1 miles
3: 1 - < 3 miles
4: 3 - 5 miles
5: > 5miles

Millersville University Meteorology