Can I obtain the forcing data set that was used in GLDAS?
Posted: Thu Sep 03, 2026 2:57 pm America/New_York
Answer:
Forcing data are atmospheric inputs to the land surface models, including precipitation (rain and snow), radiation, surface wind, temperature, pressure, and humidity (see Tables 3.1 ~ 3.4 in the GLDAS-2 README).
For more information about the original data sources of GLDAS forcing data, please visit https://ldas.gsfc.nasa.gov/gldas/forcing-data.
Forcing data are atmospheric inputs to the land surface models, including precipitation (rain and snow), radiation, surface wind, temperature, pressure, and humidity (see Tables 3.1 ~ 3.4 in the GLDAS-2 README).
- GLDAS-2.0 forcing data – the global meteorological forcing dataset from Princeton University (Sheffield et al., 2006) – are included in, and can be obtained from, the GLDAS-2.0 products.
- GLDAS-2.1 forcing data are the combination of National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA)/Global Data Assimilation System (GDAS) atmospheric analysis fields (Derber et al., 1991), the disaggregated Global Precipitation Climatology Project (GPCP) V1.3 Daily Analysis precipitation fields (Adler et al., 2003; Huffman et al., 2001), and the Air Force Weather Agency’s AGRicultural METeorological modeling system (AGRMET) radiation fields. They are included in and can be obtained from the GLDAS-2.1 data products.
- GLDAS-2.2 forcing data, the meteorological analysis fields from the operational European Centre for Medium-Range Weather Forecasts (ECMWF) Integrated Forecasting System (https://www.ecmwf.int/en/publications/ifs-documentation), are not included in the GLDAS-2.2 Daily product, due to the data agreement with the ECMWF that prohibits dissemination of the IFS product.
For more information about the original data sources of GLDAS forcing data, please visit https://ldas.gsfc.nasa.gov/gldas/forcing-data.