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GSL

Forecast systems that deliver solutions

Learn how we're advancing research in Renewable and Clean Energy

The Global Systems Laboratory (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 to support a Weather-Ready Nation.

GSL strives to advance its workforce scientifically, technically, and professionally. We are also committed to increased diversity equity, inclusion and accessibility as well as a strong foundation for career growth.

GSL's 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

GSL’s models and technology help emergency managers respond to weather threats quickly.

Aviation

Our tools help the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) reduce air traffic delays and increase safety.

Energy

GSL’s weather models enable the energy industry to plan for the variable nature of wind and solar energy.

Fire Weather

Decision support systems and smoke models developed by GSL help with wildfire operations.

Latest News

GSL scientist Dave Turner leads 5th National Climate Assessment Chapter

December 01, 2023

NOAA GSL Senior Scientist Dave Turner is an Agency Chapter Lead Author for the5th National Climate Assessment Mitigation Chapter. The U.S. National Climate Assessment (NCA) is mandated by the Global Change Research Act of 1990. The assessment is conducted about every four years and is an authoritative scientific analysis of...

Announcing the release of UFS Short-Range Weather App v2.2.0

November 09, 2023

Code sharing enables innovations in numerical weather prediction scienceThe Earth Prediction Innovation Center (EPIC) and the Unified Forecast System (UFS) community have released the Unified Forecast System (UFS) Short-Range Weather (SRW) Application v2.2.0. The Unified Forecast System (UFS) is a community-based, comprehensive Earth modeling system with shared science components and...

GSL hosts students from Colorado School of Mines for Capstone project

November 03, 2023

GSL hosted students from the Colorado School of Mines on 26 September 2023 for a tour of NOAA data centers in Boulder. The students are working on an eight-month Capstone project to design a Tier III multi-tenant data center that is 35,000 sqft. and supports 5 megawatts of load with...

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Successful Projects

Research-to-Operations (R2O)

GSL has a history of successfully transitioning atmospheric research into advanced products and services for weather operations.

Learn more about R2O

Regional Models

We are the leader in developing and evolving regional weather models. The Rapid Refresh, High-Resolution Rapid Refresh, and RAP Smoke are just a few.

Learn more about our models

Unified Forecast System

GSL is part of a major community effort to develop a coupled, comprehensive Earth modeling system.

Read how GSL supports the UFS

GSL 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.