Rapid Refresh (RAP) and High-Resolution Rapid Refresh (HRRR) Forum

Surface shortwave radiation data

Posted By: Will Hobbs
Date: 7-March-14 0113Z

I am trying to get a feel for using RAP for solar energy forecasting, and am having some issues with Downward Short-Wave Rad. Flux (DSWRF) values using the 13km CONUS data. I can get reasonable looking data from the 32km NOAMHI GRIB2 files, but there seems to be something wrong with what I get from the 13km files. A sample of the 32km radiation data is here: http://s772.photobucket.com/albums/yy7/sirwilliamjr/?action=view¤t=32_rad_zps55b123e3.png and a sample of the 13km radiation data is here: http://s772.photobucket.com/albums/yy7/sirwilliamjr/?action=view¤t=13_rad_zpsff446792.png The radiation values I am getting out of the 13km file fluctuate between -1500 and +1500 in a “wave” pattern. I'm pretty confident I am handling the GRIB2 files correctly, because I have no problem with srface temperature data: 13km temperature: http://s772.photobucket.com/albums/yy7/sirwilliamjr/?action=view¤t=13_temp_zps9d2a9abc.png 32km temperature: http://s772.photobucket.com/albums/yy7/sirwilliamjr/?action=view¤t=32_temp_zps8e5da229.png For reference, I am getting my GRIB2 files from the NCEP FTP server. Is there something I am clearly doing wrong? Also, are there any references in the shortwave radiation data? For example, this page does not cover radiation: http://ruc.noaa.gov/rr/RAP_var_diagnosis.html, and I can't find anything on the difference between downward and incoming shortwave radiation listed here: http://rapidrefresh.noaa.gov/RAP/. Thanks to anyone that might be able to help. Will

Messages In This Thread

Surface shortwave radiation data -- Will Hobbs -- 7-March-14 0113Z

Re: Surface shortwave radiation data -- Geoff Manikin -- 7-March-14 0317Z

Re: Surface shortwave radiation data -- Will Hobbs -- 7-March-14 1502Z

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