Numerical Weather Prediction (NWP) model data is routinely distributed to a wide range of users via NOAAport and the Family of Services (FOS). These operational data are used by atmospheric researchers for many purposes, including data assimilation studies and real-time mesoscale modeling research. In addition to the operational data sets available on FOS and NOAAport, the National Weather Service (NWS) and the National Center for Environmental Prediction (NCEP) provide a large amount of high resolution model data on several file servers which many scientists routinely download for boundary and initial model conditions for local modeling efforts.
The reliable and timely access to model output data is crucial for real-time modeling. Many users of the model data sets available through the NWS file servers, including those involved in the US Weather Research Program (USWRP), have sought improved access to higher resolution data sets. Therefore, Unidata, working together with the NWS, NCEP, NASA-Goddard and the USWRP, has developed a scalable approach using Unidata's Local Data Management (LDM) software for providing reliable delivery of data to users via the Internet. Through the LDM, data sets are delivered to the client as soon as they are available to the host, thereby eliminating the costly and detrimental need for server polling which is frequently employed by other means of data access such as FTP methods. The LDM also provides for efficient dispatching of data and event handling, enabling the recipient to process and utilize the data as it arrives. By expanding the timely access of these data sets to the atmospheric science community, novel and innovative developments in the realm of data assimilation and real-time NWP will be enhanced