Time Question Again

[Teri Mooney]

On 4.0 KM WRF-NMM Precipitation Graphics page (I think it's Earl Barker's), it has 1h, 2h, 3h, etc. Is 1h 1:00 a.m. or is it Z time? Thanks in advance.

[Scott Roberts]

On 4.0 KM WRF-NMM Precipitation Graphics page (I think it's Earl Barker's), it has 1h, 2h, 3h, etc. Is 1h 1:00 a.m. or is it Z time? Thanks in advance.


Neither. It's the number of hours in the future from the time the base time of the model. For instance, the graphic at http://wxcaster2.com/CENTRAL_RUC236_TORNADO-MASK_04HR.gif at this moment lists at the center bottom, " RUC4h forecast valid 22z Sat," and it's based on the RUC at 18z. So it's the forecast 4 hours after 18z, or 22z. (Given that these graphics come out ~1.5 hours after the model time, I usually consider the "3h" as the "now to about an hour form now" graphic.0