Models and Data Sources

The data described in the API is based on different models and combined in an intelligent mix so that the best data source is chosen for each time and location. The available data sources are:

Global Weather Forecasting Models

Identifier	Description
`mix`	The NCM Mix combines different models and sources into an intelligent blend, such that the best data source is chosen for each time and location. The Mix consists of radar data, satellite data and deterministic predictions. The length of the forecasting period as well as the spatial resolution depends on the model from which the requested parameters originate. spatial resolution: up to 0.0012° (~90 m) temporal resolution: up to 5 minutes lead time: depending on variable — days, weeks and even years ahead updates per day: depending on variable — refresh time down to every minute
`ecmwf-ifs`	Enhanced downscaled model data based on the European Center for Medium-Range Weather Forecasts' (ECMWF) Integrated Forecasting System (IFS), which is the world's leading atmospheric global circulation model that describes the dynamical evolution of the atmosphere worldwide and is used for medium-range forecasts. The downscaling improves the coarse grid native representation down to a resolution of 90m. This is achieved by applying high-resolution land usage data, soil, terrain data, astronomical computations & other sources. spatial resolution: 0.0012° (~90 m) temporal resolution: up to 1 hour lead time: 15 days (6 and 18 UTC up to 90 hours) updates per day: 4
`ncep-gfs`	Enhanced downscaled model data based on the Global Forecasting System by the National Centers for Environmental Prediction (NCEP). The downscaling improves the coarse grid native representation down to a resolution of 90m. This is achieved by applying high-resolution land usage data, soil, terrain data, astronomical computations & other sources. spatial resolution: 0.0012° (~90 m) temporal resolution: 3 hours lead time: 16 days updates per day: 4
`dwd-icon-global`	Enhanced downscaled model data based on the 13km Global model by the DWD. The downscaling improves the coarse grid native representation down to a resolution of 90m. This is achieved by applying high-resolution land usage data, soil, terrain data, astronomical computations & other sources. spatial resolution: 0.0012° (~90 m) temporal resolution: 1 hour lead time: 7.5 days (6 and 18 UTC up to 120 hours) updates per day: 4
`nasa-srtm`	The NASA Shuttle Radar Topography Mission (SRTM) is a NASA project that used radar from the Space Shuttle to capture precise, global 3D elevation data of the Earth's surface. spatial resolution: ~90 m
Examples	https://api-mm.ncm.gov.sa/2025-07-17T00ZP2D:PT1H/t_2m:C/50,10/html?source=ecmwf-ifs https://api-mm.ncm.gov.sa/2025-07-17T00Z/t_2m:C/switzerland:0.01,0.01/html?source=ncep-gfs

Regional Weather Models

Identifier	Description
`ksancm-wrf-48`	Enhanced, downscaled model data based on the NCM's 4.8 km regional model. Downscaling improves the native representation of the coarse grid down to a resolution of 90 m. This is achieved by applying high-resolution land usage data, soil and terrain data, and astronomical computations, among other sources. spatial domain: 43.121°N 15.146°E, 0.433°S 72.088°E spatial resolution: 0.0012° (~90 m) temporal resolution: 1 hour lead time: 10.5 days updates per day: 4
`ksancm-wrf-16`	Enhanced, downscaled model data based on the NCM's high-resolution, 1.6 km regional model. Downscaling improves the native representation of the coarse grid down to a resolution of 90 m. This is achieved by applying high-resolution land usage data, soil and terrain data, and astronomical computations, among other sources. spatial domain: 32.469°N 32.053°E, 9.765°N 61.268°E spatial resolution: 0.0012° (~90 m) temporal resolution: 1 hour lead time: 5.5 days updates per day: 4
`ksancm-wrf-nowcast`	Enhanced, downscaled model data based on the NCM's high-resolution nowcast model with 1 km native resolution. Downscaling improves the native representation of the coarse grid down to a resolution of 90 m. This is achieved by applying high-resolution land usage data, soil and terrain data, and astronomical computations, among other sources. spatial domain: 32.462°N 33.425°E, 16.088°N 52.372°E spatial resolution: 0.0012° (~90 m) temporal resolution: 15 minutes lead time: 12 hours updates per day: 24

Atmospheric Pollutants and other Chemical Compounds

Identifier Description

Identifier	Description
`ecmwf-cams`	Atmospheric data based on Copernicus Atmosphere Monitoring Service by the ECMWF. CAMS is one of six services that form Copernicus (Earth observation program of the European Union). Copernicus offers information services based on satellite Earth observation, in situ (non-satellite) data and modeling. CAMS provides global forecasts of aerosols, atmospheric pollutants, greenhouse gases, stratospheric ozone and the UV-Index. spatial resolution: 0.4° (~30.4 km) temporal resolution: up to 1 hour lead time: 5 days updates per day: 2
`ksancm-wrf-dust`	Enhanced, downscaled model data based on the NCM's 4.8 km regional dust model. Downscaling improves the native representation of the coarse grid down to a resolution of 90 m. This is achieved by applying high-resolution land usage data, soil and terrain data, and astronomical computations, among other sources. spatial domain: 48.878°N 9.1°W, 12.115°S 84.239°E spatial resolution: 0.0012° (~90 m) temporal resolution: 1 hour lead time: 10.5 days updates per day: 4

ecmwf-cams

Atmospheric data based on Copernicus Atmosphere Monitoring Service by the ECMWF. CAMS is one of six services that form Copernicus (Earth observation program of the European Union). Copernicus offers information services based on satellite Earth observation, in situ (non-satellite) data and modeling. CAMS provides global forecasts of aerosols, atmospheric pollutants, greenhouse gases, stratospheric ozone and the UV-Index.

spatial resolution: 0.4° (~30.4 km)
temporal resolution: up to 1 hour
lead time: 5 days
updates per day: 2

ksancm-wrf-dust

Enhanced, downscaled model data based on the NCM's 4.8 km regional dust model. Downscaling improves the native representation of the coarse grid down to a resolution of 90 m. This is achieved by applying high-resolution land usage data, soil and terrain data, and astronomical computations, among other sources.

spatial domain: 48.878°N 9.1°W, 12.115°S 84.239°E
spatial resolution: 0.0012° (~90 m)
temporal resolution: 1 hour
lead time: 10.5 days
updates per day: 4

Oceanic Models

Identifier	Description
`ksancm-wrf-wamag`	NCM's 1.6 km regional ocean model for the Persian (Arabian) Gulf and parts of the Gulf of Oman. The model output is enhanced by incorporating a more detailed bathymetry as well as highly resolved coastlines (resolution of ~90 m). spatial domain: 31.0°N 47.0°E, 23.0°N 58.0°E spatial resolution: 1.6 km temporal resolution: 1 hour lead time: 10.5 days updates per day: 2
`ksancm-wrf-wamrs`	NCM's 1.6 km regional ocean model for the Red Sea and parts of the Gulf of Aden. The model output is enhanced by incorporating a more detailed bathymetry as well as highly resolved coastlines (resolution of ~90 m). spatial domain: 30.0°N 42.0°E, 10.0°N 48.0°E spatial resolution: 1.6 km temporal resolution: 1 hour lead time: 10.5 days updates per day: 2
`ksancm-wrf-wamas1`	NCM's 25 km ocean model for the Indian Ocean. The model output is enhanced by incorporating a more detailed bathymetry as well as highly resolved coastlines (resolution of ~90 m). spatial domain: 30.0°N 20.0°E, 70.0°S 100.0°E spatial resolution: 25 km temporal resolution: 1 hour lead time: 10.5 days updates per day: 2
`ksancm-wrf-wamas2`	NCM's 5 km regional ocean model for the Arabian Sea. The model output is enhanced by incorporating a more detailed bathymetry as well as highly resolved coastlines (resolution of ~90 m). spatial domain: 27.0°N 42.0°E, 5.0°N 64.0°E spatial resolution: 5 km temporal resolution: 1 hour lead time: 10.5 days updates per day: 2

Radar, Satellite and Remote Sensing

Identifier	Description
`mix-radar`	NCM Radar Composite of precipitation radars including nowcasting. spatial domain: 32.679°N 33.503°E, 15.368°N 53.997°E spatial resolution: 500 m temporal resolution: 5 minutes lead time: 2 hours (nowcasting)
`mix-satellite`	Satellite composite comprising geostationary satellite images of Meteosat 8 and Meteosat 11. RGB and IR channels are available. temporal resolution: 5 - 15 minutes spatial resolution: 1 - 3 km
`dlr-corine`	CORINE land cover (CLC) is a data set for land usage in Europe. There are 44 land usage classes. spatial resolution: 10 ha minimum mapping unit spatial extent: Europe
Examples	Satellite image https://api-mm.ncm.gov.sa/2025-07-17T00Z/sat_ir_039:idx/switzerland:0.01,0.01/html?source=mix-satellite Radar image https://api-mm.ncm.gov.sa/2025-07-17T00Z/precip_5min:mm/switzerland:0.01,0.01/html?source=mix-radar

Station Observations

Identifier	Description
`mix-obs`	Observational data from weather stations (some restrictions to formats might apply). Present data and historical data are available. Further details concerning the selection of stations can be found at Weather Station Identifiers. It is also recommended to specify the treatment of missing data (Behavior on missing or invalid Data).
Examples	Station query http://api-mm.ncm.gov.sa/2025-07-16T00Z--2025-07-17T00Z:PT1H/t_2m:C,wind_speed_10m:ms/id_164/html?source=mix-obs&on_invalid=fill_with_invalid

Behavior on missing or invalid Data

This section describes the options on what to do if data is missing (this currently only applies to source mix-obs): on_invalid parameter:

Identifier	Description
`fail`	Send an error message as soon as data is missing, instead of the incomplete data. (default)
`fill_with_invalid`	Replace invalid data by -999 and still send the whole time series.

Example: https://api-mm.ncm.gov.sa/2025-07-17T00ZP2D:PT1H/t_2m:C/47.43,9.4/csv?source=mix-obs&on_invalid=fill_with_invalid