A World of Weather
Fundamentals of Meteorology

Model Resolution

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The model resolution of the GFS is typically expressed as a wavenumber (revisit this section on spectral models).  In order to compare it to grid-point models, however, the GFS resolution is typically translated into grid-point spacing. This spacing depends on the mid-latitude region where the model's forecast is applied.  The GFS resolution is often expressed in degrees latitude and longitude or in kilometers.  For example, the resolution of the GFS is sometimes set at a grid-point spacing of 0.5 degrees.