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    • Output fields from the NOAA WAVEWATCH III® wave model monthly hindcasts

    Metadata Updated: August 1, 2025

    The NOAA WAVEWATCH III® hindcast dataset comprises output fields from the monthly WAVEWATCH III® hindcast model runs conducted at the National Centers for Environmental Prediction. Each model run produces a collection of files containing gridded fields comprised of input and mean wave parameters such as the significant wave height, directions, frequencies etc. Once per month, a wave simulation is carried out using restart files from the previous month and forced by hindcast wind products for the entire month. The resulting output data are transferred to NCEI on a monthly basis. NCEI assembles the series of files into monthly accessions to facilitate archival retention and public access. The fields are encoded in the standard GRIdded Binary version 2 (GRIB2) file format. Wave spectral data summaries are included, as well as detailed spectra at selected locations, in tabular text format. Nine different sets of output fields, corresponding to nine different grids used in the numerical simulations, are included. These include a global grid, as well as regional and coastal grids covering much of the North Atlantic and North Pacific oceans.

    Access & Use Information

    License: No license information was provided. If this work was prepared by an officer or employee of the United States government as part of that person's official duties it is considered a U.S. Government Work.

    Downloads & Resources

    Dates

    Metadata Date 2025-04-09T20:32:50Z
    Metadata Created Date December 19, 2020
    Metadata Updated Date August 1, 2025
    Reference Date(s) May 17, 2012 (publication), July 19, 2019 (revision)
    Frequency Of Update asNeeded

    Metadata Source

    Harvested from NOAA/NESDIS/ncei/accessions

    Other Data Resources

    Graphic Preview

    Preview graphic

    Additional Metadata

    Resource Type Series
    Metadata Date 2025-04-09T20:32:50Z
    Metadata Created Date December 19, 2020
    Metadata Updated Date August 1, 2025
    Reference Date(s) May 17, 2012 (publication), July 19, 2019 (revision)
    Responsible Party (Point of Contact)
    Contact Email
    Guid gov.noaa.nodc:NCEP-WAVEWATCH
    Access Constraints Cite as: National Centers for Environmental Prediction (2012). Output fields from the NOAA WAVEWATCH III® wave model monthly hindcasts. [indicate subset used]. NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information. Dataset. https://www.ncei.noaa.gov/archive/accession/NCEP-WAVEWATCH. Accessed [date]., Use liability: NOAA and NCEI cannot provide any warranty as to the accuracy, reliability, or completeness of furnished data. Users assume responsibility to determine the usability of these data. The user is responsible for the results of any application of this data for other than its intended purpose.
    Bbox East Long 180
    Bbox North Lat 90
    Bbox South Lat -77.5
    Bbox West Long -180
    Coupled Resource
    Frequency Of Update asNeeded
    Graphic Preview Description Preview graphic
    Graphic Preview File https://www.ncei.noaa.gov/access/metadata/landing-page/bin/gfx?id=gov.noaa.nodc:NCEP-WAVEWATCH
    Graphic Preview Type PNG
    Harvest Object Id 5d2dd28c-9402-47ca-802f-0d19e369461f
    Harvest Source Id c084a438-6f6b-470d-93e0-16aeddb9f513
    Harvest Source Title NOAA/NESDIS/ncei/accessions
    Licence accessLevel: Public, From the data source: Although the NOAA WAVEWATCH III® is an operational model, we cannot guarantee the timeliness or accuracy of the model data. Please see our disclaimer for more information: http://www.weather.gov/disclaimer.
    Lineage
    Metadata Language eng
    Metadata Type geospatial
    Old Spatial {"type": "Polygon", "coordinates": [[[-180.0, -77.5], [180.0, -77.5], [180.0, 90.0], [-180.0, 90.0], [-180.0, -77.5]]]}
    Progress completed
    Spatial Data Service Type
    Spatial Reference System
    Spatial Harvester True
    Temporal Extent Begin 2005-02-01
    Temporal Extent End 2019-05-31

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