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![NBM v4.2 10-m Gust 75th percentile (kts), Init: Tue 2024-01-09 06z, F018 - Valid: Wed 2024-01-10 00z wind speed valid 0000 UTC 10 January 2024](/documents/6609493/8272309/nbm_4_2_screenshot.jpg/575ea4ca-7205-14c0-b8e0-842bc01ad9cf?t=1718943479089)
National Blend of Models (NBM) Upgraded to Version 4.2
Jun 21, 2024On May 15, 2024, NOAA upgraded the National Blend of Models (NBM) — a nationally consistent and calibrated suite of forecast products generated from combining numerical weather prediction and post-processed data — to version 4.2 in operations. The upgrade includes a number of improvements to help forecasters improve the national gridded forecast including: new percentile and probabilistic sustained 10-meter wind and wind gust products, improved wind speed and gusts for “day-to-day” forecasts, better snow accumulation forecasts in environments with temperatures just above freezing, mitigation of lattice-like artifacts in winter weather output, reduction of erroneously high probabilities for freezing rain and improve snow forecasts over higher terrain.
![NDFD web display](/documents/6609493/37056098/NDFD+web+display.png/237b052a-7a5d-60b3-38c5-3fdebdee54c1?t=1715197910172)
NDFD web services go operational in Web Operations Center
May 08, 2024The National Weather Service’s National Digital Forecast Database (NDFD) produces weather, water, and climate digital forecast grids based on mosaics of forecasts from forecast offices and national centers. The NDFD Central Server creates and encodes national gridded datasets as GRIB2 files for dissemination via the NWS Telecommunications Gateway (NWSTG). Two key products of the NDFD include the Web Map Viewer and the XML Web Services. In April, the NOAA Web Operations Center began hosting NDFD Web Services that were formerly hosted by the NWS Internet Dissemination System. These services include full-resolution (up to 2.5km, hourly) maps and XML point web services for all operational and experimental NDFD forecast elements.
![In this aerial view, parts of Sanibel Causeway are washed away along with sections of the bridge after Hurricane Ian passed through the area on September 29, 2022 in Sanibel, Florida. The hurricane brought high winds, storm surge and rain to the area causing severe damage. (Image credit: Getty images)](/documents/6609493/8272309/Photo-damage-to-Sanibel-Causeway-Hurricane-Ian-092922-Florida-GettyImages-1428819925.jpg/46732ef7-967a-4413-000b-1a4e0527deec?t=1684340326193)
P-Surge Upgrade NOAA Press Release
May 02, 2023On May 2, 2023, NOAA upgraded its Probabilistic Storm Surge (P-Surge) model — the primary model for predicting storm surge associated with high-impact weather like hurricanes and tropical storms — to version 3.0. This upgrade, developed by the Decision Support Division of MDL, advances storm surge modeling and forecasting for the contiguous U.S. (CONUS), Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands, and comes just in time for the 2023 hurricane season beginning on June 1 and running through November 30.
![Photo of Rich Bandy](/documents/6609493/8272309/RichBandy.jpg/f33270b3-0e5c-b02d-04e0-b3a5cafee351?t=1684341000824)
Mr. Richard (Rich) Bandy Selected as New MDL Director
Jul 11, 2022Mr. Richard (Rich) Bandy has been selected as the new Meteorological Development Laboratory (MDL) Director, effective July 17, 2022. Meet Mr. Bandy in this article which appeared in NWS Insider on July 7.