NEMS GFS Aerosol Component (NGAC) is a global in-line aerosol forecast system. The forecast model component of the NGAC is the Global Forecast System (GFS) based on the NOAA Environmental Modeling System (NEMS) which, in turn, is based on the common modeling framework using Earth System Modeling Framework (ESMF). The aerosol component of the NGAC is Goddard Chemistry Aerosol Radiation and Transport Model (GOCART). Funded mainly by NASA Earth Science programs, the GOCART model was developed to simulate atmospheric aerosols (including sulfate, black carbon (BC), organic carbon (OC), dust, and sea-salt), CO, and sulfur gases. The implementation of GSFC¿s GOCART module into NEMS GFS at NCEP was funded by NOAA-NASA-DOD JCSDA and NASA Applied Sciences Program.

The initial production implementation of NGAC is to produce 120-hour global dust forecasts. The system runs once daily within the NCEP Production Job Suite for the 0000Z cycle. Output is posted to a 1x1 degree equally longitude/latitude grid with 3-h forecast interval to 120-h, cycled once per day.

NEMS home page information: http://www.emc.ncep.noaa.gov/?branch=NEMS

NGAC home page information: http://www.emc.ncep.noaa.gov/gmb/sarah/NGAC/html/realtime.ngac.html