-- Hourly forcing files (back to April 13^th, 1999) are now available on the NCEP ftp server.

-- The radiation-related quantities that are presently included in the forcing files are:

1. Total surface solar radiation (GOES)
2. Skin temperature
3. EDAS/ETA longwave radiation
4. EDAS/ETA shortwave radiation

-- Radiation-related quantities that will eventually be included are:

1. PAR
2. Diffuse component of solar radiation

-- In the near future, a zenith angle correction will be applied to the short wave data. (NCEP)

-- An elevation correction method still needs to be settled on. (Group)

-- OH now has online files that describe the location etc. of each RFC streamflow gauge.

-- The driver for the VIC model is currently in the development stage. (Princeton)

-- The software behind the LDAS web site has been upgraded and as a result Realtime Image Generator and Image Table images can be viewed/generated much more quickly than in the past. (NASA)

-- Soil parameters are currently linked to vegetation types in the MOSAIC model. This will change in the future. (NASA)

-- An error matrix will be created which shows, for any given time, whether forcing quantities were available or unavailable in the NCEP forcing files. (NCEP)

-- Potential evaporation will not be included in LDAS forcing. But, it will be included as an output variable of LDAS models. (All)

-- LAI will not be provided as forcing; however, this may change in the future.

-- If possible, sublimation should be an output variable of LDAS models. (All)

-- Brian will provide detailed information regarding the format of web site data files to all groups. (NASA)

-- NCEP will provide Brian with NOAH model output (binary) for use on the LDAS web site. (NCEP)

-- OH will compile a list of basins for use in the LDAS project. (OH)

-- All groups will initially use a 0° C rain/snow cutoff. Other means of partitioning precipitation into liquid and solid forms will be investigated. (All)

-- Two new soil moisture measurements were suggested by Alan: 1. mm of water in the top 5cm of soil, and 2. mm of water in top 1 meter of soil.

-- NCEP will pursue possibility of mounting hard drives onto the NCEP SGI which have been purchased by LDAS group members. (NCEP)

-- OH will work with NCEP to resolve any problems with soils database (OH, NCEP)

-- Next LDAS meeting: Wednesday June 9^th at 1:30pm, in Silver Spring.

-- Selection of LDAS river basins

-- Discussion of ongoing storage/archiving issues