Product Sets

As noted in the Introduction above, it is essential that readers not thoroughly familiar with the ECWMF forecasting system refer to the ECWMF publication:

Meteorological Bulletin M3.2 User Guide to ECMWF Products

Products are available in FM92 GRIB code or in alternative forms of presentation e.g. as plotted maps, subject to local availability.

The specification of the GRIB code is given in WMO Publication 306 Manual on Codes; the current edition is edition 1, and this is used by ECMWF. In GRIB, the Products are in pure binary form, and are transmitted as a bit stream without separators between the products. ECMWF uses its own Code Table 2, Version 128, to identify the parameters in the products. Use is also made of the section of the code reserved for local (ECMWF) use to add further information about some of the products. The NMS Contact Point can provide details of Code Table 2 and GRIB extensions used. Further information can be found here.

Time Series products are available in FM94 BUFR code. The specification of the BUFR code is given in WMO Publication 306 Manual on Codes.