Global Systems Laboratory – Forecast systems that deliver solutions
Source: https://gsl.noaa.gov
Archived: 2026-04-23 15:01
Global Systems Laboratory – Forecast systems that deliver solutions
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.
Who we are
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
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 facilitate planning for variability in the energy industry.
Fire Weather
Decision support systems and smoke models developed by GSL help with wildfire operations.
News from GSL
Stay informed about the latest research developments, partnerships, and innovations.
HRRRCast Version 3: New release of NOAA’s experimental regional AI forecast model
March 25, 2026
NOAA’s experimental, AI-powered regional forecast model has been upgraded a second time with the March 2026 release of HRRRCast Version 3. As part of the Global Systems Laboratory’s efforts to accelerate its development and delivery to operations, its new features add another layer of capabilities to the promising system. “HRRRCast makes 3 km ensemble forecasting…
Read more
: HRRRCast Version 3: New release of NOAA’s experimental regional AI forecast model
NOAA Testbeds evaluate the Rapid Refresh Forecast System
March 25, 2026
The Rapid Refresh Forecast System (RRFS) is NOAA’s next-generation, rapidly updating, high-resolution weather model. Like the GSL-led, flagship High-Resolution Rapid Refresh (HRRR) model, it focuses on the short-term forecast, providing highly detailed, hourly updates. RRFS, however, builds on this by leveraging some of the best capabilities of several existing systems, taking a major step forward…
Read more
: NOAA Testbeds evaluate the Rapid Refresh Forecast System
GSL leads a field demonstration of boundary layer observing system
March 24, 2026
GSL continues to work with partners to expand NOAA’s lower atmosphere observing capabilities. In March, GSL Senior Scientist Dr. Dave Turner participated in a deployment and training session on the Atmospheric Sounder Spectrometer by Infrared Spectral Technology (ASSIST) at a NOAA test facility in Sterling, Virginia. ASSIST is a ground-based system that collects detailed spectral…
Read more
: GSL leads a field demonstration of boundary layer observing system
Read More Articles →
DESI Digest: Turning Forecasts into Visual Insight
DESI Digest showcases powerful visualizations from NOAA’s Dynamic Ensemble-based Scenarios for IDSS (DESI) project. These quick, impactful videos turn complex forecasts into clear insights that support emergency managers, forecasters, and the public.
On February 25, 2026, a significant windstorm affected the eastern slopes of the Rockies in northern Montana, including the eastern part of Glacier National Park. NOAA’s HREF model gave forecasters advanced notice by showing high probabilities of wind gusts over 70 mph, and DESI was able to highlight specific locations where the highest winds would be most likely. Here, DESI shows not only the wind gust probabilities, but also particle flow visualization, helping show the complex effects of rugged mountain terrain.
Our Goals
Invest in people, predictions, and products that drive impact.
People
Invest in people, partnerships, and organizational performance.
Our People
Predictions
Develop start-of-the-art Earth-system prediction capabilities.
Our Predictions
Products
Revolutionize products and services to enable informed decision-making.
Our Products
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
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.
Who we are
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
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 facilitate planning for variability in the energy industry.
Fire Weather
Decision support systems and smoke models developed by GSL help with wildfire operations.
News from GSL
Stay informed about the latest research developments, partnerships, and innovations.
HRRRCast Version 3: New release of NOAA’s experimental regional AI forecast model
March 25, 2026
NOAA’s experimental, AI-powered regional forecast model has been upgraded a second time with the March 2026 release of HRRRCast Version 3. As part of the Global Systems Laboratory’s efforts to accelerate its development and delivery to operations, its new features add another layer of capabilities to the promising system. “HRRRCast makes 3 km ensemble forecasting…
Read more
: HRRRCast Version 3: New release of NOAA’s experimental regional AI forecast model
NOAA Testbeds evaluate the Rapid Refresh Forecast System
March 25, 2026
The Rapid Refresh Forecast System (RRFS) is NOAA’s next-generation, rapidly updating, high-resolution weather model. Like the GSL-led, flagship High-Resolution Rapid Refresh (HRRR) model, it focuses on the short-term forecast, providing highly detailed, hourly updates. RRFS, however, builds on this by leveraging some of the best capabilities of several existing systems, taking a major step forward…
Read more
: NOAA Testbeds evaluate the Rapid Refresh Forecast System
GSL leads a field demonstration of boundary layer observing system
March 24, 2026
GSL continues to work with partners to expand NOAA’s lower atmosphere observing capabilities. In March, GSL Senior Scientist Dr. Dave Turner participated in a deployment and training session on the Atmospheric Sounder Spectrometer by Infrared Spectral Technology (ASSIST) at a NOAA test facility in Sterling, Virginia. ASSIST is a ground-based system that collects detailed spectral…
Read more
: GSL leads a field demonstration of boundary layer observing system
Read More Articles →
DESI Digest: Turning Forecasts into Visual Insight
DESI Digest showcases powerful visualizations from NOAA’s Dynamic Ensemble-based Scenarios for IDSS (DESI) project. These quick, impactful videos turn complex forecasts into clear insights that support emergency managers, forecasters, and the public.
On February 25, 2026, a significant windstorm affected the eastern slopes of the Rockies in northern Montana, including the eastern part of Glacier National Park. NOAA’s HREF model gave forecasters advanced notice by showing high probabilities of wind gusts over 70 mph, and DESI was able to highlight specific locations where the highest winds would be most likely. Here, DESI shows not only the wind gust probabilities, but also particle flow visualization, helping show the complex effects of rugged mountain terrain.
Our Goals
Invest in people, predictions, and products that drive impact.
People
Invest in people, partnerships, and organizational performance.
Our People
Predictions
Develop start-of-the-art Earth-system prediction capabilities.
Our Predictions
Products
Revolutionize products and services to enable informed decision-making.
Our Products
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