National Weather Service United States Department of Commerce

Active Weather for the West, Warming in the East

The potential for heavy snow at higher elevations in the western U.S. will continue for many spots through the weekend. In the meantime, the eastern half of the continental U.S. will transition to above normal temperatures ahead of a pair of cold fronts next week that will bring readings back to closer to normal as we approach Thanksgiving Day. Read More >

International Services and Communication Systems

National Program

NWS GIFS

Weather.gov > International Services and Communication Systems > NWS GIFS

The Global Telecommunications System (GTS) Internet File Service (GIFS) is provided by the United States National Weather Service (NWS) for World Meteorological Organization (WMO) Regional Association IV (RA-IV) Member States, and other WMO Regions that are adjacent to RA-IV, as a highly reliable Internet source of meteorological products. The purpose of GIFS is to provide access to WMO RA-IV related weather information in BUFR, GRIB, alpha-numeric text, and T4-FAX data types to facilitate Members' access to information needed for operational and some research activities between the United States and nations in the Caribbean, North America, and Central America. This service is available to all authorized WMO RA-IV Member States as well as other WMO Regions adjacent to RA-IV. The GIFS is the primary service for GTS data within RA-IV.

  • GIFS is the primary method for RA-IV RMTN users to obtain GTS data products.
  • GIFS allows WMO RA-IV RMTN users to download (pull) GTS data products from GIFS over the Internet.
  • GIFS makes available the entire suite of meteorological data products that were broadcast by the legacy ISCS satellite system.

The NWS is planning a satellite based broadcast service for backup:

GIFS Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)