MARS

Specifies the meteorological parameter of a field. 

param=<value>

It is recommended to specify a meteorological parameters by its unique parameter ID, e.g. param=132044, or by a combination of  indicator of parameter and GRIB table 2 version in the form param=indicatorOfParameter.table2Version. Other ways of specifying a parameter are by using their GRIB code (param=130), their short name (param=t) or their full name (param=temperature).

The list of meteorological parameters in MARS is extensive. Their availability is directly related to their meteorological meaning and, therefore, the rest of directives specified in the MARS request. In the search of parameter numbers, short names or units, and their availability the following sources of information might be useful

  • MARS Catalogue - Allows to browse the meta data of the entire archive content in real-time
  • Parameters database - lists all parameters (which can be handled by the ecCodes software) according to their GRIB definition
  • ECMWF datasets - A description of forecasts, analyses, climate re-analyses, reforecasts and multi-model data available from MARS or via dedicated data servers or via point-to-point dissemination

Examples:

                                 #  specifying the parameter "temperature" by
param=130.128                    #  indicator of parameter and table 2 version
param=130                        #  parameter ID
param=t                          #  short name
param=temperature                #  full name

param=129/134/167                # parameters geopotential,  surface pressure and
                                 # 2 metre temperature

Dissemination

Specifies the meteorological parameter of a field.

param=<value>

Parameters can only be specified by their short name (param=t)

  • Meteorological parameters available in dissemination and their definitions are listed in the Catalogue of real-time products. The following additional sources of information might be useful
  • Parameters database - lists all parameters (which can be handled by the ecCodes software) according to their GRIB definition

Examples:

param=t/u/v,                                                 #   short name