This is a brief introduction of the main request parameter syntax.
We recommend that you get familiar with datasets and their availability using http://apps.ecmwf.int/datasets/
You can also get the request syntax using "View MARS request" feature.
Request syntax:
verb, keyword1 = value1, ... = value2, keywordN = valueN
- verb: action to be taken (e.g. retrieve, list, read)
- keyword: a known MARS variable, e.g. type or date
- value: value assigned to the keyword, e.g. Analysis or temperature
Retrieve example:
retrieve, stream=oper, levtype=sfc, param=165.128/41.128, "dataset"=interim, step=0, grid=0.75/0.75, time=00, date=2013-09-01/to/2013-09-30, type=an, class=ei
Keyword exaplanation:
Keyword | definition |
---|---|
dataset | See Dataset section of p |
Date & Time | |
time | Base time (00, 06, 12 and 18) Observation time (HHMM or HH:MM: ie 09:30) |
date | Specifies the Analysis date, the Forecast base date or Observations date. Formats
|
step | Specifies the forecast time step from forecast base time. Valid values are hours (HH) |
Fields | |
type | Determines the type of field to be retrieved: This keyword makes the selection between observations, images or fields, and it determines some of the valid remaining keywords of the request.
|
levtype | Denotes type of level:
|
levelist | Levels for the specified levtype. (off if levtype=sfc) |
param | Meteorological parameter. (t, temprerature, 130, 30.128, ...) |
Storage | |
target | specifies a Unix file into which data is to be written after retrieval or manipulation. Path names should always be enclosed in double quotes: target = "analysis.grb" |