Effective November 9th, 2016 on the 1200 UTC forecast package, three new flight levels will be available in the WAFS GRIB2 files for Geopotential Altitude, Temperature, U and V components of Wind and Humidity. The flight levels will be FL080 (750h Pa), FL210 (450 hPa) and FL480 (125 hPa). They will be added to both the US (KWBC) and UK (EGRR) grid compilations.
Effective November 30th, 2016 at 1800 UTC, WIFS will begin carrying METARS and TAFS from a different data source for the United States. This data source will contain all United States TAFS and METARs. Additionally, the METARs will no longer be delivered without the remark (RMK) portion of the observation. Users can preview the new data at http://testbed.aviationweather.gov/wifs/data.
Further information is available in the Technical Implementation Notice 16-34.
Effective April 14, 2016, at 1500 Coordinated Universal Time (UTC), 1100 a.m. Eastern Daylight Time, the NWS will begin using the FXUS66 KKCI administrative message to provide users a generic, machine parsable notification that a correction was sent for the World Area Forecast System (WAFS) Significant Weather Charts. The format will be the same as the format previously used in the FXUS65 administrative message to notify WAFS users of corrections. The previously used FXUS65 message will continue to be issued for corrections as well, but will be in a free text format that will identify the features that were corrected on the charts.
See more in the Service Change Notice: http://www.nws.noaa.gov/os/notification/scn16-04wafs_cca.htm
Effective April 14, 2016, at 1500 Coordinated Universal Time (UTC), 1100 a.m. Eastern Daylight Time, the NWS will begin using the recently implemented 3-letter identifier ZWY for the New York Oceanic Flight Information Region (FIR) in all NWS products. This will replace the previously used ZNY identifier for the New York Oceanic FIR. The New York FIR over land will continue to be referenced via the ZNY identifier.
See more in the Service Change Notice: http://www.nws.noaa.gov/os/notification/scn16-03nyoceanicfirchange.htm
Effective Thursday, January 15, 2015 at 1200 Coordinated Universal Time (UTC), the NWS World Area Forecast Center (WAFC)in Washington will begin reissuing Significant Weather (SGWX) Charts when it is necessary to correct them. Previously, WAFC only sent a text message to denote errors.
The new correction procedure will follow standard WMO header practices, in which corrected products have a CCX appended to the end of their WMO header. The X will denote the version of the correction. For example, the first correction would be CCA amended to the WMO header; the second correction would be CCB.
When a correction is necessary, WAFC will reissue all BUFR and PNG files for the SGWX forecast cycle with the CCX appended to their headers. The PNG charts will also include the CCX in their bulletin IDs, usually found in the top left corner of the graphic. The corrected files will replace the original files on the WAFS Internet File Service (WIFS), and will also have the CCX appended to their filename. WAFC will also notify users via an admin message in a standardized format under the header FXUS65 KKCI.
A zip file, containing examples of the admin message format and corrected PNG and BUFR files is online at http://www.aviationweather.gov/doc/wafs/WAFS_CorrectionExample.zip
For questions about this change, please contact us.
On Tuesday, July 15, 2014, the /wifs/data/GRIB2/KWBC/trial_forecasts folder will be removed. The Clear Air Turbulence, In-Cloud Turbulence, Cumulonimbus, and Icing data can be found in /wifs/data/GRIB2/KWBC/cat, /wifs/data/GRIB2/KWBC/incldturb, /wifs/data/GRIB2/KWBC/cb, and /wifs/data/GRIB2/KWBC/ice, respectively.
Effective 1800 UTC Wednesday, November 13, 2013, the Clear Air Turbulence (cat), In-Cloud Turbulence (incldturb), Cumulonimbus (cb), and Icing (ice) folders currently located under GRIB2/KWBC/trial_forecasts/ will be moved to the GRIB2/KWBC/ folder. Also the Clear Air Turbulence (CAT), In-Cloud Turbulence (INCLDTURB), Cumulonimbus (CB), and Icing (ICE) folders currently located under GRIB2/EGRR/TRIAL_FORECASTS/ will be moved to the GRIB2/EGRR/ folder. To give users adequate time to adjust to these changes, the files will be duplicated in both the new and old locations until 1800 UTC, May 13, 2014, at which time the GRIB2/KWBC/trial_forecasts/ and GRIB2/EGRR/TRIAL_FORECASTS/ folders will be removed. Between 1800 UTC on November 13, 2013, and 1800 UTC on May 13, 2014, the GRIB2 folder structure will look like the following:
|-- GRIB2
|-- EGRR
|-- T+06
|-- T+09
|-- T+12
|-- T+15
|-- T+18
|-- T+21
|-- T+24
|-- T+27
|-- T+30
|-- T+33
|-- T+36
|-- CAT
|-- T+06
|-- T+09
|-- T+12
|-- T+15
|-- T+18
|-- T+21
|-- T+24
|-- T+27
|-- T+30
|-- T+33
|-- T+36
|-- CB
|-- T+06
|-- T+09
|-- T+12
|-- T+15
|-- T+18
|-- T+21
|-- T+24
|-- T+27
|-- T+30
|-- T+33
|-- T+36
|-- ICE
|-- T+06
|-- T+09
|-- T+12
|-- T+15
|-- T+18
|-- T+21
|-- T+24
|-- T+27
|-- T+30
|-- T+33
|-- T+36
|-- INCLDTURB
|-- T+06
|-- T+09
|-- T+12
|-- T+15
|-- T+18
|-- T+21
|-- T+24
|-- T+27
|-- T+30
|-- T+33
|-- T+36
|-- TRIAL_FORECASTS
|-- CAT
|-- T+06
|-- T+09
|-- T+12
|-- T+15
|-- T+18
|-- T+21
|-- T+24
|-- T+27
|-- T+30
|-- T+33
|-- T+36
|-- CB
|-- T+06
|-- T+09
|-- T+12
|-- T+15
|-- T+18
|-- T+21
|-- T+24
|-- T+27
|-- T+30
|-- T+33
|-- T+36
|-- ICE
|-- T+06
|-- T+09
|-- T+12
|-- T+15
|-- T+18
|-- T+21
|-- T+24
|-- T+27
|-- T+30
|-- T+33
|-- T+36
|-- INCLDTURB
|-- T+06
|-- T+09
|-- T+12
|-- T+15
|-- T+18
|-- T+21
|-- T+24
|-- T+27
|-- T+30
|-- T+33
|-- T+36
|-- KWBC
|-- cat
|-- cb
|-- ice
|-- incldturb
|-- trial_forecasts
|-- cat
|-- cb
|-- ice
|-- incldturb
To avoid service interruptions please adjust your software as soon after November 13, 2013, as possible.
Beginning November 13, 2013, FL410 (175 mb) data will be available as an additional level in the WAFS GRIB2 files under the folder GRIB2/KWBC/. Height, temperature, and U/V wind components will be available. The individual bulletins will be identifiable by the following WMO headers inside the concatenated files:
YHXC18 KWBC - Height, 6 hr forecast YHXD18 KWBC - Height, 9 hr forecast YHXE18 KWBC - Height, 12 hr forecast YHXF18 KWBC - Height, 15 hr forecast YHXG18 KWBC - Height, 18 hr forecast YHXH18 KWBC - Height, 21 hr forecast YHXI18 KWBC - Height, 24 hr forecast YHXJ18 KWBC - Height, 27 hr forecast YHXK18 KWBC - Height, 30 hr forecast YHXL18 KWBC - Height, 33 hr forecast YHXM18 KWBC - Height, 36 hr forecast YTXC18 KWBC - Temperature, 6 hr forecast YTXD18 KWBC - Temperature, 9 hr forecast YTXE18 KWBC - Temperature, 12 hr forecast YTXF18 KWBC - Temperature, 15 hr forecast YTXG18 KWBC - Temperature, 18 hr forecast YTXH18 KWBC - Temperature, 21 hr forecast YTXI18 KWBC - Temperature, 24 hr forecast YTXJ18 KWBC - Temperature, 27 hr forecast YTXK18 KWBC - Temperature, 30 hr forecast YTXL18 KWBC - Temperature, 33 hr forecast YTXM18 KWBC - Temperature, 36 hr forecast YUXC18 KWBC - U-Wind, 6 hr forecast YUXD18 KWBC - U-Wind, 9 hr forecast YUXE18 KWBC - U-Wind, 12 hr forecast YUXF18 KWBC - U-Wind, 15 hr forecast YUXG18 KWBC - U-Wind, 18 hr forecast YUXH18 KWBC - U-Wind, 21 hr forecast YUXI18 KWBC - U-Wind, 24 hr forecast YUXJ18 KWBC - U-Wind, 27 hr forecast YUXK18 KWBC - U-Wind, 30 hr forecast YUXL18 KWBC - U-Wind, 33 hr forecast YUXM18 KWBC - U-Wind, 36 hr forecast YVXC18 KWBC - V-Wind, 6 hr forecast YVXD18 KWBC - V-Wind, 9 hr forecast YVXE18 KWBC - V-Wind, 12 hr forecast YVXF18 KWBC - V-Wind, 15 hr forecast YVXG18 KWBC - V-Wind, 18 hr forecast YVXH18 KWBC - V-Wind, 21 hr forecast YVXI18 KWBC - V-Wind, 24 hr forecast YVXJ18 KWBC - V-Wind, 27 hr forecast YVXK18 KWBC - V-Wind, 30 hr forecast YVXL18 KWBC - V-Wind, 33 hr forecast YVXM18 KWBC - V-Wind, 36 hr forecast
Effective 1800 UTC Wednesday, November 13, 2013, the NWS will cease providing WAFS Global Gridded Forecasts in GRIB1 format on WIFS. At that time only GRIB2 will be available. WIFS users are urged to update their software to use GRIB2 data as soon as possible to avoid service interruptions. More details are available in NWS Service Change Notice 13-25.
On Wednesday, July 10, 2013, WAFC London will conduct a quarterly backup test of WAFC Washington for the 06 UTC package (valid Thursday July 11th 06 UTC). The products will not be issued at the usual time (1245-1300 UTC). WAFC London will issue all PNG and BUFR products 2 hours late (1445-1500 UTC).
On Wednesday, April 24, 2013, WAFC Washington will conduct a quarterly backup test of WAFC London for the 12 UTC package (valid Thursday April 25th 12 UTC). The products will not be issued at the usual time (1845-1900 UTC). WAFC Washington will issue all PNG and BUFR products 2 hours late (2045-2100 UTC).
Effective 1800 UTC Wednesday, November 13, 2013, the NWS will cease providing WAFS Global Gridded Forecasts in GRIB1 format. At that time only GRIB2 will be available. WIFS users are urged to migrate their software to use GRIB2 data as soon as possible to avoid service interruptions. More details are available in NWS Service Change Notice 13-25.
On Wednesday, April 10, 2013, WAFC London will conduct a quarterly backup test of WAFC Washington for the 06 UTC package (valid Thursday April 11th 06 UTC). The products will not be issued at the usual time (1245-1300 UTC). WAFC London will issue all PNG and BUFR products 2 hours late (1445-1500 UTC).
Effective 1800 UTC on 30 April 2013, the following changes will be made to the WIFS directory structure.
1) The BUFR directory will no longer contain significant weather forecast products (JU.... KKCI/EGRR). The WAFC Washington SIGWX products are being stored under the BUFR/SIGWX/KWBC sub-directory and the WAFC London SIGWX products are being stored under the BUFR/SIGWX/EGRR sub-directory.
2) The PNG directory will no longer contain significant weather forecast products (JU.... KKCI/EGRR), tropical cyclone advisory graphics (PZXD), and volcanic ash advisory graphics (PFXD). These products are being stored in the SIGWX, TROP, and VOLC sub-directories under the PNG directory, respectively.
Users should change their software as soon as possible to begin retrieving the files from the new locations prior to April 30 to avoid an interruption in service.
The WIFS change made at 18 UTC on 26 February has been temporarily rolled back due to adverse impact on several customers. You will find the BUFR and PNG files in the same locations as they were prior to 18 UTC Feb 26. We will notify users via e-mail and administrative message (NOXX10 KKCI) when a new implementation data is established. Additionally another message will be posted on this Advisory board.
We sincerely apologize for any inconvenience this has caused WIFS users.
Details of roll-back... The BUFR directory will again contain significant weather forecast products (JU.... KKCI/EGRR). The WAFC Washington SIGWX products are also being stored under the BUFR/SIGWX/KWBC sub-directory and the WAFC London SIGWX products are also being stored under the BUFR/SIGWX/EGRR sub-directory. The PNG directory will again contain significant weather forecast products (JU.... KKCI/EGRR), tropical cyclone advisory graphics (PZXD), and volcanic ash advisory graphics (PFXD). These products are also being stored in the SIGWX/KWBC, SIGWX/EGRR, TROP, and VOLC sub-directories under the PNG directory, respectively.
At a time yet to be determined, these files will only be populated in the sub-directories BUFR/SIGWX/KWBC, BUFR/SIGWX/EGRR, PNG/SIGWX/KWBC, PNG/SIGWX/EGRR, PNG/TROP, and PNG/VOLC. Users should change their software accordingly to retrieve the files from the new locations to avoid an interruption in service.
Effective 1800 UTC on 26 February 2013, the following changes will be made to the WIFS directory structure.
1) The BUFR directory will no longer contain significant weather forecast products (JU.... KKCI/EGRR). The WAFC Washington SIGWX products are being stored under the BUFR/SIGWX/KWBC sub-directory and the WAFC London SIGWX products are being stored under the BUFR/SIGWX/EGRR sub-directory.
2) The PNG directory will no longer contain significant weather forecast products (JU.... KKCI/EGRR), tropical cyclone advisory graphics (PZXD), and volcanic ash advisory graphics (PFXD). These products are being stored in the SIGWX, TROP, and VOLC sub-directories under the PNG directory, respectively.
Users should change their software to retrieve the files from the new locations prior to February 26 to avoid an interruption in service.
Effective 1500 UTC on 28 November 2012, the following changes will be made to the WIFS directory structure.
1) Sub-directory SIGWX will be added under the BUFR directory. The SIGWX directory will contain KWBC and EGRR sub-directories. The Significant Weather forecast products (JU.... KKCI) issued by WAFC Washington will be stored under the BUFR/SIGWX/KWBC directory. The Significant Weather forecast products issued by WAFC London (JU.... EGRR) will be stored under the BUFR/SIGWX/EGRR directory. For a period of not less than 60 days the files will be available under both the BUFR directory and the BUFR/SIGWX/EGRR and BUFR/SIGWX/KWBC directories in order to give users time to adjust their software.
2) Sub-directory SIGWX will be added under the PNG directory. The SIGWX directory will contain KWBC and EGRR sub-directories. The Significant Weather forecast products (PG.... KKCI) issued by WAFC Washington will be stored under the PNG/SIGWX/KWBC directory. The Significant Weather forecast products issued by WAFC London (PG.... EGRR) will be stored under the PNG/SIGWX/EGRR directory. For a period of not less than 60 days the files will be available under both the PNG directory and the PNG/SIGWX/EGRR and PNG/SIGWX/KWBC directories in order to give users time to adjust their software.
3) Sub-directory TROP will be added under the PNG directory. The TROP directory will contain graphical tropical cyclone advisory products.
4) Sub-directory VOLC will be added under the PNG directory. The VOLC directory will contain graphical volcanic ash trajectory and dispersion graphics.
5) The ISCS_ADMIN_MSG will be removed. This directory has been replaced by ADMIN_MSGS.
Effective 1200 UTC on 5 July 2012, the transmission times for the WAFS Upper Air Forecasts in GRIB1 and GRIB2 will change. Currently the GRIB1 products are available first followed by the GRIB2 products. Beginning 1200 UTC on 5 July the order will be reversed. The GRIB2 products will be available first followed by the GRIB1 products. This will result in a delay of about 45 minutes for the GRIB1 products. Please reference the following Technical Implementation Notice for more details: http://www.nws.noaa.gov/om/notification/tin12-20grib_priority.htm
Effective 0400 UTC on 1 July 2012, the FAA will terminate the broadcast over the International Satellite Communications System (ISCS). At that time WIFS will be the primary means of WAFS data distribution. Please see the following Service Change Notice for more information:
http://www.nws.noaa.gov/om/notification/scn12-21iscs_end.htm
To support users during this transition, the WIFS Help Desk will operate continuously beginning at 1200 UTC on 29 June 2012 and ending at 2000 UTC on 2 July 2012.
An issue was found related to the structure of wget requests when requesting a directory listing or multiple files via the recursive option. When making a request where the destination is a directory, the trailing slash must be used. For example, in order to recursively get all of the Administrative Messages, you need to issue a command with this format:
wget --user=<usr> --password=<password> -r --no-check-certificate https://www.aviationweather.gov/wifs/data/ADMIN_MSGS/
If you have any questions please contact us.
A problem with our primary data server was causing the WIFS GRIB2 files to contain duplicate records. The problem has been found and a fix has been implemented. We expect the problem to be fixed in the 18Z issuance at approximately 2230Z today.
We appreciate your understanding. If you have any questions please contact us.
The following site-specific URLs are being deprecated.
https://hq.aviationweather.gov/wifs/data
https://srh.aviationweather.gov/wifs/data
https://crh.aviationweather.gov/wifs/data
The need for these URLs has been eliminated. Users must change their software to use the load balanced URL:
https://www.aviationweather.gov/wifs/data
The site-specific URLs will not be available after June 26, 2011.
We appreciate your understanding.
The maintenance scheduled for 7 June was postponed to 8 June between 1230 and 1345 UTC. For more details see the 3 June 2011 Advisory below.
On June 7 between 1230 and 1345 UTC the National Weather Service Telecommunications Operations Center (TOC) is expecting interruptions to data services due to system upgrades and maintenance. This may affect data availability on WIFS in the following areas: International SIGMETs, TAFs, METARs, and PIREPs.
NOTE: WIFS will still be available for use during this period. Once the TOC restores communications, WIFS will immediately begin making the new data available. We apologize in advance for any inconvenience this interruption causes you.
The following site-specific URLs are being deprecated.
https://hq.aviationweather.gov/wifs/data
https://srh.aviationweather.gov/wifs/data
https://crh.aviationweather.gov/wifs/data
We have taken measures to eliminate the need for these URLs and urge all users to change their software to use the load balanced URL:
https://www.aviationweather.gov/wifs/data
The site-specific URLs will be available for a limited period of time. Users should begin transition to the new URL as soon as possible. Another advisory will be posted when the official deprecation date is known.
Version 4.1 of the WIFS Users Guide is now available on the Documents page. Noteworthy changes in this version are:
(1) Modified Section 5 Data Retrieval Process to make it clearer and easier to interpret; this includes removing the site-specific URLs.
(2) Added reference to SADIS User Guide Annexes 1 and 4.
In the GRIB2 products, Section 1, Identification Section in the GRIB message, Octet 10, which indicates the WMO GRIB Master Table used to encode the data, will be changed from 2 to 6. This change indicates that the products will be encoded and should be decoded using Master Table version number 6. For more information please visit NWS TIN 10-62.
The data can be retrieved from the /caws/data/wifs/GRIB2/KWBC/trial_forecast/ directory.
PNG file update: The 31-byte header has now been removed. We apologize for any inconvenience this caused you.
The WIFS/ISCS synchronization is still ongoing. We hope to have this synchronization completed by October 29, 2010. IMPORTANT NOTE: The ISCS data feed contains some products that are not yet authorized for distribution over the WAFS. Once a decision is reached these data sets may go away at a yet to be determined date.
Due to technical issues, the GRIB and GRIB2 data currently available on WIFS is not in the concatenated end-state format. It's currently being stored in individual WMO files. We're sorry for this inconvenience and hope to have the concatenated format running as soon as possible.
