NCEP WMO GRIB2 Documentation

Version 36.0.0 - November 17, 2025

Please see the disclaimer at the bottom of this page

• Introduction
  • Revision History
• Section 0 - Indicator Section
  • Table 0.0 - Discipline of Processed Data
• Section 1 - Identification Section
  • Table 1.0 - GRIB Master Tables Version Number
  • Table 1.1 - GRIB Local Tables Version Number
  • Table 1.2 - Significance of Reference Time
  • Table 1.3 - Production Status of Data
  • Table 1.4 - Type of Data
  • Table 1.5 - Identification Template Number
    • Identification Template 1.0 - Calendar Definition
    • Identification Template 1.1 - Paleontological Offset
    • Identification Template 1.2 - Calendar Definition and Paleontological Offset
  • Table 1.6 - Type of Calendar
• Section 2 - Local Use Section
• Section 3 - Grid Definition Section
  • Table 3.0 - Source of Grid Definition
  • Table 3.1 - Grid Definition Template Number
  • Table 3.2 - Shape of the Reference System
  • Table 3.3 - Resolution and Component Flags
  • Table 3.4 - Scanning Mode
  • Table 3.5 - Projection Center
  • Table 3.6 - Spectral Data Representation Type
  • Table 3.7 - Spectral Data Representation Mode
  • Table 3.8 - Grid Point Position
  • Table 3.9 - Numbering Order of Diamonds
  • Table 3.10 - Scanning Mode for One Diamond
  • Table 3.11 - Interpretation of List of Numbers at end of section 3
  • Table 3.12 - HEALPix rhomboids or points ordering
  • Table 3.13 - HEALPix scanning mode
  • Table 3.15 - Physical Meaning of Vertical Coordinate
  • Table 3.20 - Type of Horizontal Line
  • Table 3.21 - Vertical Dimension Coordinate Values Definition
  • Table 3.25 - Type of Bi-Fourier Truncation
• Section 4 - Product Definition Section
  • Table 4.0 - Product Definition Template Number
  • Table 4.1 - Parameter Category by Product Discipline
  • Table 4.2 - Parameter Number by Product Discipline and Parameter Category
  • Table 4.3 - Type of Generating Process
  • Table 4.4 - Indicator of Unit of Time Range
  • Table 4.5 - Fixed Surface Types and Units
  • Table 4.6 - Type of Ensemble Forecast
  • Table 4.7 - Derived Forecast
  • Table 4.8 - Clustering Method
  • Table 4.9 - Probability Type
  • Table 4.10 - Type of Statistical Processing
  • Table 4.11 - Type of Time Intervals
  • Table 4.12 - Operating Mode
  • Table 4.13 - Quality Control Indicator
  • Table 4.14 - Clutter Filter Indicator
  • Table 4.15 - Type of Spatial Processing used to arrive at given data value from the source data
  • Table 4.16 - Quality Value Associated with Parameter
  • Table 4.91 - Type of Interval
  • Table 4.100 - Type of Reference Dataset
  • Table 4.101 - Type of Relationship to Reference Dataset
  • Table 4.102 - Statistical Processing of Reference Period
  • Table 4.103 - Spatial Vicinity Type
  • Table 4.104 - Spatial and Temporal Vicinity Processing
  • Table 4.105 - Spatial and Temporal Vicinity Missing Data
  • Table 4.106 - Radar Data Quality Flags
  • Table 4.120 - Verification Scores
  • Table 4.121 - Type of Reference Dataset for Verification
  • Table 4.122 - Type of Additional Arguments for Verification Score
  • Table 4.201 - Precipitation Type
  • Table 4.202 - Precipitable Water Category
  • Table 4.203 - Cloud Type
  • Table 4.204 - Thunderstorm Coverage
  • Table 4.205 - Presence of Aerosol
  • Table 4.206 - Volcanic Ash
  • Table 4.207 - Icing
  • Table 4.208 - Turbulence
  • Table 4.209 - Planetary Boundary-Layer Regime
  • Table 4.210 - Contrail Intensity
  • Table 4.211 - Contrail Engine Type
  • Table 4.212 - Land Use
  • Table 4.213 - Soil Type
  • Table 4.214 - Environmental Factor Qualifier
  • Table 4.215 - Remotely Sensed Snow Coverage
  • Table 4.216 - Elevation of Snow Covered Terrain
  • Table 4.217 - Cloud Mask Type
  • Table 4.218 - Pixel Scene Type
  • Table 4.219 - Cloud Top Height Quality Indicator
  • Table 4.220 - Horizontal Dimension Processed
  • Table 4.221 - Treatment of Missing Data
  • Table 4.222 - Categorical Result
  • Table 4.223 - Fire Detection Indicator
  • Table 4.224 - Categorical Outlook
  • Table 4.225 - Weather
  • Table 4.227 - Icing Scenario (Weather/Cloud Classification)
  • Table 4.228 - Icing Severity
  • Table 4.230 - Atmospheric Chemical or Physical Type
  • Table 4.233 - Aerosol Type
  • Table 4.234 - Canopy Cover Fraction
  • Table 4.236 - Soil Texture Cover Fraction
  • Table 4.238 - Source or Sink
  • Table 4.239 - Wetland Type
  • Table 4.240 - Type of Distribution Function
  • Table 4.241 - Coverage Attributes
  • Table 4.242 - Tile Classification
  • Table 4.243 - Tile Class
  • Table 4.244 - Quality Indicator
  • Table 4.246 - Thunderstorm Intensity
  • Table 4.247 - Precipitation Intensity
  • Table 4.248 - Method Used to Derive Data Values for a Given Local Time
  • Table 4.249 - Character of Precipitation
  • Table 4.250 - Drainage Direction
  • Table 4.251 - Wave Direction and Frequency Formulae
  • Table 4.252 - Tile Classes and Groupings
  • Table 4.253 - Hazard Index
  • Table 4.333 - Transport Dispersion Model
  • Table 4.335 - Emission Scenario Origin
  • Table 4.336 - NWP Model
• Section 5 - Data Representation Section
  • Table 5.0 - Data Representation Template Number
  • Table 5.1 - Type of Original Field Values
  • Table 5.2 - Matrix Coordinate Value Function Definition
  • Table 5.3 - Matrix Coordinate Parameter
  • Table 5.4 - Group Splitting Method
  • Table 5.5 - Missing Value Management for Complex Packing
  • Table 5.6 - Order of Spatial Differencing
  • Table 5.7 - Precision of Floating Point Numbers
  • Table 5.25 - Type of Bi-Fourier Subtruncation
  • Table 5.26 - Packing Mode for Axes
  • Table 5.40 - Type of Compression
• Section 6 - Bit Map Section
  • Table 6.0 - Bit Map Indicator
• Section 7 - Data Section
  • Table 7.0 - Data Template Number
• Section 8 - End Section

• Appendix A - Outline of WMO Headers Used With GRIB1 and GRIB2
• Appendix B - Outline of WMO Headers for the EPA/CMAQ model
• Appendix C - Definition of Commonly used NCEP Grids

Documentation and Software for NCEP WMO GRIB1 can be found here: GRIB1

Information on NCEP's use of WMO GRIB2 can be found here: GRIB2