Weather Model Update Schedule
Wethr.net ingests forecast data from operational weather models around the world. This table shows when each model runs and how long after the run start time the data is typically available in our database.
On This Page
Overview
Different weather models are produced on different cadences. Hourly models like HRRR, RAP, and NBM run every hour at the top of the hour. Synoptic models like GFS, NAM, and ECMWF run on a 6-hour cycle (00, 06, 12, 18 UTC). After a run is initialized, the data takes time to compute at the producing center, time to transfer over the network, and time for our ingest pipeline to load it into the database. The values below reflect the entire pipeline — from run initialization to data being queryable on wethr.net.
Model Schedule
| Model | Cadence | Run Cycles (UTC) | First Data In | Fully Ingested |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| AROME-HD-15 | Hourly | Every hour | ~56m after run | ~56m after run |
| ARPEGE | 4× daily | 00, 06, 12, 18 | ~4h 38m after run | ~4h 38m after run |
| ARPEGE-EU | 4× daily | 00, 06, 12, 18 | ~4h 21m after run | ~4h 21m after run |
| ECMWF-HRES | 4× daily | 00, 06, 12, 18 | ~6h 47m after run | ~6h 47m after run |
| ECMWF-IFS | 4× daily | 00, 06, 12, 18 | ~7h 55m after run | ~7h 55m after run |
| GEFS | 4× daily | 00, 06, 12, 18 | ~6h 6m after run | ~6h 6m after run |
| GEM-GDPS | 2× daily | 00, 12 | ~5h 34m after run | ~5h 34m after run |
| GEM-HRDPS | 4× daily | 00, 06, 12, 18 | ~4h 54m after run | ~4h 54m after run |
| GFS | 4× daily | 00, 06, 12, 18 | ~4h 59m after run | ~4h 59m after run |
| GFS-MOS | 4× daily | 00, 06, 12, 18 | ~4h 24m after run | ~4h 24m after run |
| HRRR | Hourly | Every hour | ~1h 0m after run | ~1h 24m after run |
| ICON | 4× daily | 00, 06, 12, 18 | ~3h 57m after run | ~3h 57m after run |
| JMA | 4× daily | 00, 06, 12, 18 | ~10h 1m after run | ~10h 1m after run |
| LAV-MOS | Hourly | Every hour | ~51m after run | ~51m after run |
| NAM | 4× daily | 00, 06, 12, 18 | ~3h 9m after run | ~3h 9m after run |
| NAM-MOS | 2× daily | 00, 12 | ~3h 3m after run | ~3h 3m after run |
| NAM4KM | 4× daily | 00, 06, 12, 18 | ~2h 59m after run | ~2h 59m after run |
| NBM | Hourly | Every hour | ~2h 7m after run | ~2h 11m after run |
| NBS-MOS | 4× daily | 00, 06, 12, 18 | ~1h 14m after run | ~1h 14m after run |
| RAP | Hourly | Every hour | ~1h 42m after run | ~1h 42m after run |
| RRFS | Hourly | Every hour | ~2h 18m after run | ~2h 25m after run |
| UKMO | 4× daily | 00, 06, 12, 18 | ~7h 41m after run | ~7h 41m after run |
About these values: "First Data In" is when the first forecast file from a given run lands in our database. "Fully Ingested" is when the last file lands. For most models the two values are essentially the same — the whole run lands within seconds of itself. The values shown are averages observed over a recent 7-day window and may vary by a few minutes from cycle to cycle.
How to Read This Table
Cadence & Run Cycles
Each row shows how often a model runs and which UTC hours it runs at. Hourly models like HRRR and NBM run every hour at the top of the hour. 4× daily models run at 00, 06, 12, and 18 UTC. GEM-GDPS and NAM-MOS only run twice a day, at 00 and 12 UTC.
First Data In & Fully Ingested
"First Data In" is the elapsed time between the run initialization time and when the first forecast file from that run arrives in our database. "Fully Ingested" is the elapsed time between the run initialization time and when the last forecast file arrives. For most models these two values are identical at minute precision because the entire run lands in our database within seconds. For HRRR, NBM, and RRFS the spread is larger, reflecting longer ingest windows.
What "After Run" Means
"After run" refers to the elapsed time from the model's nominal initialization time. For example, "~4h 59m after run" for GFS means the GFS 12:00 UTC run is typically first available around 16:59 UTC, and the 18:00 UTC run is typically first available around 22:59 UTC.
Tip: If you're building a workflow that depends on the latest model data being available on wethr.net, plan around the "Fully Ingested" times. Polling earlier may return partial data for a given run.
Producing Centers
The models on this page come from seven different weather forecasting centers around the world. Badge colors in the schedule table above are grouped by producing center:
- NOAA — National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (United States). Produces GFS, HRRR, NAM, NAM4KM, RAP, RRFS, NBM, GEFS, and the MOS family (GFS-MOS, NAM-MOS, NBS-MOS, LAV-MOS).
- ECMWF — European Centre for Medium-Range Weather Forecasts. Produces ECMWF-HRES (high-resolution deterministic) and ECMWF-IFS (Integrated Forecast System).
- UKMO — UK Met Office. Produces the UKMO global model.
- Météo-France — French national meteorological service. Produces ARPEGE (global), ARPEGE-EU (European limited-area), and AROME-HD-15 (high-resolution regional).
- DWD — Deutscher Wetterdienst (German national meteorological service). Produces ICON.
- ECCC — Environment and Climate Change Canada. Produces GEM-GDPS (global) and GEM-HRDPS (high-resolution).
- JMA — Japan Meteorological Agency. Produces the JMA Global Spectral Model.
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