Historical List of Joint Numerical Weather Prediction Unit (JNWPU) / National Meteorological Center (NMC) / National Centers for Environmental Prediction (NCEP) Numerical Analysis and Prediction Systems (1955-present)

 

NOTE: In compiling this list, there has been no intent to include the many changes to individual models that have occurred through the years; e.g. changes to numerics, physical processes, etc, as well as the multitude of changes that have occurred in producing initial analyses for the numerical models. Here, the intent is to show, in a chronological sense, implementations of distinctively new operational models and, in some instances, dates when forecast length or horizontal/vertical resolution has been increased to satisfy operational requirements. There is an attempt to record dates when models went out of service, generally occurring when a new model was implemented. For more details see the references listed below. Additional information regarding the 'early' years may be found in NMC Office Note 72, by Shuman (1972), entitled 'The Research and Development Program at the National Meteorological Center'.

Listed below the table legend are all numerical analysis and weather/ocean prediction systems going back to the formation of the the JNWPU in 1955. Separate tables are available for GlobalRegional/MesoscaleOcean/Marine, and Hurricane systems.

Dedication: This page is dedicated to its original creator, Dr. Kenneth Campana (1941-2017), long-time employee of EMC's Global Modeling Branch

Historical List of JNWPU / NMC / NCEP Numerical Analysis and Prediction Systems (1955-present)

 

Contact the EMC Webmaster (emc.webmaster@noaa.gov) for information or questions about these tables.

 

Some NCEP Production Suite System Operational Implementation Logs (maintained by EMC/NCO):

 

References

Special Thanks to current and former members of NMC/NCEP who assisted in compiling the original 1955-2005 table, in alphabetical order: Thomas Black, Lawrence Burroughs, Kenneth Campana, Geoffrey DiMego, Francis Hughes, Robert Kistler, Timothy Marchok, George VanDenberghe, Yuejian Zhu.