NLDAS-2 operational data had two days of zero precipitation in February 2018

From 13Z 19 Feb 2018 to 12Z 21 Feb 2018, the NLDAS-2 hourly operational forcing "A" datasets had zero precipitation over all of CONUS and Mexico. This error was a result of undefined values sent over from the operational CPC daily gauge analysis. Note that the 12Z 19 Feb 2018 field does have correct precipitation; the first incorrect hourly time is on 13Z 19 Feb, which represents the accumulated precipitation from 12Z to 13Z. These two days happened to be when heavy rains fell over the central U.S., centered around Illinois. On 12 June 2018, these 48 hourly files were replaced on the NASA GES DISC archive. The February 2018 monthly-averaged forcing "A" file was also replaced. Note that the NLDAS-2 LSMs are not corrected, and still reflect the zero precipitation from these two days in February 2018. For details about this issue, please see the "NLDAS issues FAQ/answer".

White paper on the next phases of NLDAS now available

The NOAA/EMC and NASA/GSFC NLDAS teams have published a white paper, which describes the vision, requirements, implementation, and tentative schedules for all LDAS systems at NCEP. This white paper includes details of the next phases of NLDAS, including a truly real-time NLDAS-2.5 as well as a significantly upgraded NLDAS Phase 3.

NLDAS is one of the inputs to the new QuickDRI drought index

A LIS blog post was recently published describing the new QuickDRI drought index. NLDAS-2 monthly soil moisture anomalies are one of the inputs to this weekly operational drought index.

Twitter feed for NASA's Land Information System (LIS)

Please follow the @NASA_LIS Twitter feed. NASA's LIS (Land Information System) software framework is used for the LDAS datasets at NASA/GSFC. The LIS Twitter feed will be used to announce new and updated NLDAS and other LDAS products as well as stories/studies using LIS-based LDAS datasets.

NLDAS and GLDAS Time Series "Data Rods" Datasets now available

A set of variables from the NLDAS and GLDAS projects are now available as time series. These "data rods" datasets allow the access of the data in a long time series at a single point - without having to download the entire files. Access to the time series data is very quick, and is available as a plot or in ASCII format. A prototype to get the data in netCDF format is also available for testing. Please see the Data Rods News Article as well as documentation and how to access the Data Rods data.

NLDAS-2 part of NCEP Central Operations

NCEP implemented the NLDAS-2 system into NCEP Central Operations (NCO) on 5 Aug 2014. The NLDAS-2 products are available in GRIB-2 format. Operational users are encouraged to use the NCEP/NCO GRIB-2 products. GRIB-1 products, including near real-time updates and a complete archive, will continue to be available at the NASA Hydrology DISC. Note that these GRIB-1 updated products are only available in the NASA GES DISC format. NCEP's NLDAS ftp server has a new address - ftp://ldas.ncep.noaa.gov/nldas2/ - and will serve as an archive of the NCEP/NCO GRIB-2 operational products. More information about this significant milestone, including the transition of research to operations (R2O), please see this Science Highlight.

NLDAS datasets are available from the NASA Hydrology Data and Information Services (HDISC) within the Goddard Earth Sciences Data and Information Services Center (GES DISC)

The Hydrology DISC portal enables access to hourly, monthly, and monthly climatology NLDAS datasets via http, GDS, Mirador, and Giovanni. Users can also perform subsetting and analysis operations without first downloading the data. Phase 1 forcing, Phase 2 primary and secondary forcing, Phase 2 Mosaic, Phase 2 Noah, and Phase 2 VIC datasets are available. See the NLDAS-1 README and NLDAS-2 README files for details about the creation and content of these datasets, as well as the FAQ.

LDAS Mailing List

Users of NLDAS datasets are encouraged to join the LDAS mailing list for updates on new data releases, new data services, data reprocessing, and data delays or outages.

NLDAS data usage at the GES DISC

• Distribution of all NLDAS products from the NASA GES DISC for calendar year 2017:
• Number of Distinct users: 5,278
• Number of Files: 56,039,084 (over 56 million)
• Total Volume: 149,095 Gb (over 149 Tb)

• Distribution of all NLDAS products from the NASA GES DISC for calendar year 2016:
• Number of Distinct users: 5,038
• Number of Files: 63,933,203 (almost 64 million)
• Total Volume: 148,912 Gb (almost 149 Tb)

• For calendar year 2015:
• Number of Distinct users: 5,392
• Number of Files: 71,645,757 (over 71 million)
• Total Volume: 144,661 Gb (over 144 Tb)

• For calendar year 2014:
• Number of Distinct users: 5,437
• Number of Files: 44,119,161 (over 44 million)
• Total Volume: 93,459 Gb (over 93 Tb)

• For calendar year 2013:
• Number of Distinct users: 4,868
• Number of Files: 36,148,624 (over 36 million)
• Total Volume: 66,160 Gb (over 66 Tb)

NLDAS Phase 2 publications

Numerous NLDAS Phase 2 articles have been recently published; please check the NLDAS publications page.