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Global
Systems
Laboratory
Forecast systems that deliver solutions
Explore GSL
Who we are
In a world where technology and Earth system science are advancing rapidly, the Global Systems Laboratory (GSL) stands at the forefront of atmospheric research The core of GSL's culture is a dynamic and forward-thinking spirit that drives our investment in people, partnerships, and organizational performance. GSL is a space where innovation and science converge in a hybrid and collaborative environment.
GSL is one of ten NOAA Research Laboratories and is located in Boulder, Colorado. Our research improves environmental prediction models, develops state-of-the-science decision support tools, visualization systems, and uses high-performance computing technology and artificial intelligence research to support a Weather-Ready Fire-Ready Nation.
Our Research Serves The Nation
The research we do improves weather data, forecasts, and computing techniques used by industry, decision-makers, and stakeholders. Our work makes the nation's operations safer and more efficient, helps protect lives and property, and promotes economic prosperity.
Public Safety
Aviation
Energy
Fire Weather
News from GSL
NOAA Research has announced the 2025 recipients of the Office of Oceanic and Atmospheric Research (OAR) Outstanding Scientific Paper Awards. This year, two of the eight outstanding papers included significant contributions by GSL scientists, including one landmark paper led by the lab. Annually, OAR recognizes several significant scientific publications and...
As part of its commitment to advancing meteorological observations and modeling systems, GSL has developed a new tool to process measurements taken at field sites worldwide, and delivered it to two major partners. The new algorithm, called the Tropospheric Remotely Observed Profiling via Optimal Estimation (TROPoe), derives vertical profiles of...
Experimental RRFS-Smoke model forecast for vertically-integrated smoke concentration on June 3, 2025. Days before the Midwest and Eastern regions of the U.S. were impacted by dense smoke, haze, and poor air quality, GSL’s Rapid Refresh Forecast System (RRFS) Smoke model drew forecaster attention to the potential spread of the smoke...
Our Latest Projects
GSL's HRRR-Smoke Model predicts how the weather impacts smoke movement and how much the smoke could reduce visibility and air temperatures. The HRRR Smoke Model is a component of the High-Resolution Rapid Refresh weather model that transitioned to NOAA and National Weather Service operations on December 2, 2020.
Our Goals
Our Mission
Lead research and directed development through the transition of environmental data, models, products, tools, and services to support commerce, protect life and property, and promote a scientifically literate public.
Research Areas
Organizational Excellence, Earth System Prediction, Advanced Technologies, and Decision Support are the foundation to achieving the GSL Grand Challenge: Deliver actionable global storm-scale prediction and environmental information through advanced technologies to serve society.
Global Systems Laboratory
