Diagnostic variable reference
All 125 variables registered in the
wrf-core diagnostic registry, in registry order. Every entry is
callable from Python as getvar(f, name) and from Rust as
wrf_core::getvar. Name lookup is case-insensitive, and every alias
is equivalent to its canonical name.
Generated from
crates/wrf-core/src/variables.rs
at v0.3.0 (351b8f3) via
cargo run -p wrf-core --example dump_variables →
data/variables.json →
node docs/tools/render-diagnostics-table.mjs.
The extractor reads the registry directly (no source parsing for data fields)
and cross-checks the group labels against the live registry, failing on any
mismatch.
Reading the table
- Units are the defaults; most fields convert via the
units=keyword (for exampleunits="degC"). - Dim is the output shape per time step: 2-D
(ny, nx)or 3-D(nz, ny, nx). A few stacked products (for examplecape2d,uvmet) return a leading component axis in addition to the listed dimensionality. - Group is the section of the source registry the variable is defined in.
- Variables whose description references ecape-rs or ECAPE solve an entraining-parcel model per column and are the most computationally expensive entries; consumers commonly schedule them separately.
- Names not in this registry fall through to raw WRF file variables
(
RAINNC,PBLH,TSK, ...), which are readable by name but are not diagnostics and are not listed here.
125 of 125 variables
| Variable | Aliases | Description | Units | Dim | Group |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
pressure |
— | Full model pressure | hPa | 3D | Foundation |
pres |
p, pressure_pa |
Full model pressure | Pa | 3D | Foundation |
height |
z, height_msl |
Model height MSL | m | 3D | Foundation |
height_agl |
z_agl |
Model height AGL | m | 3D | Foundation |
geopt |
geopotential |
Full geopotential | m2/s2 | 3D | Foundation |
terrain |
ter, hgt |
Terrain height | m | 2D | Foundation |
t2 |
t2m, temperature_2m |
2-m temperature | K | 2D | Foundation |
tv2m |
virtual_temperature_2m |
2-m virtual temperature | K | 2D | Foundation |
temp |
tk |
Temperature | K | 3D | Foundation |
tc |
temp_c |
Temperature in Celsius | degC | 3D | Foundation |
theta |
th, potential_temperature |
Potential temperature | K | 3D | Foundation |
ua |
u_destag |
U-wind (destaggered) | m/s | 3D | Foundation |
va |
v_destag |
V-wind (destaggered) | m/s | 3D | Foundation |
wa |
w_destag |
W-wind (destaggered) | m/s | 3D | Foundation |
lat |
xlat, latitude |
Latitude | degrees | 2D | Foundation |
lon |
xlong, longitude |
Longitude | degrees | 2D | Foundation |
theta_e |
eth |
Equivalent potential temperature | K | 3D | Thermodynamics |
tv |
virtual_temperature |
Virtual temperature | K | 3D | Thermodynamics |
twb |
wet_bulb |
Wet-bulb temperature | K | 3D | Thermodynamics |
td |
dp, dewpoint |
Dewpoint temperature | degC | 3D | Thermodynamics |
rh |
relative_humidity |
Relative humidity | % | 3D | Thermodynamics |
slp |
sea_level_pressure, mslp |
Sea-level pressure | hPa | 2D | Thermodynamics |
omega |
vertical_velocity_pressure |
Vertical velocity in pressure coordinates | Pa/s | 3D | Thermodynamics |
pw |
precipitable_water |
Precipitable water | mm | 2D | Moisture |
rh2m |
rh2, relative_humidity_2m |
2-m relative humidity | % | 2D | Moisture |
dp2m |
td2, td2m, dewpoint_2m |
2-m dewpoint temperature | degC | 2D | Moisture |
mixing_ratio |
qvapor, water_vapor_mixing_ratio |
Water vapor mixing ratio | kg/kg | 3D | Moisture |
specific_humidity |
q |
Specific humidity | kg/kg | 3D | Moisture |
sbcape |
surface_based_cape |
Surface-based CAPE | J/kg | 2D | CAPE |
sbcin |
surface_based_cin |
Surface-based CIN | J/kg | 2D | CAPE |
mlcape |
mixed_layer_cape |
Mixed-layer CAPE | J/kg | 2D | CAPE |
mlcin |
mixed_layer_cin |
Mixed-layer CIN | J/kg | 2D | CAPE |
mucape |
most_unstable_cape |
Most-unstable CAPE | J/kg | 2D | CAPE |
mucin |
most_unstable_cin |
Most-unstable CIN | J/kg | 2D | CAPE |
sb3cape |
surface_based_3cape, surface_based_0_3km_cape |
Surface-based CAPE in the lowest 3 km | J/kg | 2D | CAPE |
ml3cape |
3cape, mixed_layer_3cape, mixed_layer_0_3km_cape |
Mixed-layer CAPE in the lowest 3 km | J/kg | 2D | CAPE |
mu3cape |
most_unstable_3cape, most_unstable_0_3km_cape |
Most-unstable CAPE in the lowest 3 km | J/kg | 2D | CAPE |
sb6cape |
surface_based_6cape, surface_based_0_6km_cape |
Surface-based CAPE in the lowest 6 km | J/kg | 2D | CAPE |
ml6cape |
6cape, mixed_layer_6cape, mixed_layer_0_6km_cape |
Mixed-layer CAPE in the lowest 6 km | J/kg | 2D | CAPE |
mu6cape |
most_unstable_6cape, most_unstable_0_6km_cape |
Most-unstable CAPE in the lowest 6 km | J/kg | 2D | CAPE |
lcl |
lcl_height |
Lifted condensation level height AGL | m | 2D | CAPE |
lfc |
lfc_height |
Level of free convection height AGL | m | 2D | CAPE |
el |
el_height, equilibrium_level |
Equilibrium level height AGL | m | 2D | CAPE |
cape2d |
cape_2d |
CAPE/CIN/LCL/LFC (backward-compat tuple) | J/kg | 2D | CAPE |
cape3d |
cape_3d |
3-D CAPE field | J/kg | 3D | CAPE |
cape2d_wrfpython |
cape_2d_wrfpython, cape2d_ncar |
Strict NCAR wrf-python cape_2d [MCAPE, MCIN, LCL, LFC] | J/kg | 2D | CAPE |
mcape_wrfpython |
mcape_ncar |
Strict NCAR wrf-python maximum-parcel CAPE | J/kg | 2D | CAPE |
mcin_wrfpython |
mcin_ncar |
Strict NCAR wrf-python maximum-parcel CIN magnitude | J/kg | 2D | CAPE |
lcl_wrfpython |
lcl_ncar |
Strict NCAR wrf-python maximum-parcel LCL height AGL | m | 2D | CAPE |
lfc_wrfpython |
lfc_ncar |
Strict NCAR wrf-python maximum-parcel LFC height AGL | m | 2D | CAPE |
cape3d_wrfpython |
cape_3d_wrfpython, cape3d_ncar |
Strict NCAR wrf-python levelwise [CAPE, CIN] | J/kg | 3D | CAPE |
cape3d_only_wrfpython |
cape_3d_only_wrfpython |
Strict NCAR wrf-python levelwise CAPE component | J/kg | 3D | CAPE |
cin3d_wrfpython |
cin_3d_wrfpython |
Strict NCAR wrf-python levelwise CIN component | J/kg | 3D | CAPE |
wspd |
wind_speed |
Wind speed | m/s | 3D | Wind & SRH |
wdir |
wind_direction |
Wind direction | degrees | 3D | Wind & SRH |
uvmet |
earth_rotated_wind |
U/V wind rotated to earth coordinates | m/s | 3D | Wind & SRH |
uvmet10 |
earth_rotated_wind_10m |
10-m U/V wind rotated to earth coordinates | m/s | 2D | Wind & SRH |
wspd10 |
wind_speed_10m |
10-m wind speed | m/s | 2D | Wind & SRH |
wdir10 |
wind_direction_10m |
10-m wind direction | degrees | 2D | Wind & SRH |
srh1 |
srh_0_1km |
0-1 km storm-relative helicity (Bunkers) | m2/s2 | 2D | Wind & SRH |
srh3 |
srh_0_3km |
0-3 km storm-relative helicity (Bunkers) | m2/s2 | 2D | Wind & SRH |
srh |
storm_relative_helicity, helicity |
Storm-relative helicity (configurable depth, Bunkers) | m2/s2 | 2D | Wind & SRH |
srh_wrfpython |
srh_ncar, srh_rip, srh_wrfpython_rip |
Storm-relative helicity (strict NCAR wrf-python RIP algorithm) | m2/s2 | 2D | Wind & SRH |
shear_0_1km |
bulk_shear_1km, shr01 |
0-1 km bulk wind shear | m/s | 2D | Wind & SRH |
shear_0_6km |
bulk_shear_6km, shr06 |
0-6 km bulk wind shear | m/s | 2D | Wind & SRH |
bunkers_rm |
bunkers_right |
Bunkers right-moving supercell motion | m/s | 2D | Wind & SRH |
bunkers_lm |
bunkers_left |
Bunkers left-moving supercell motion | m/s | 2D | Wind & SRH |
mean_wind_0_6km |
mean_wind_6km |
0-6 km mean wind | m/s | 2D | Wind & SRH |
avo |
absolute_vorticity |
Absolute vorticity | 10-5 s-1 | 3D | Remaining diagnostics |
pvo |
potential_vorticity |
Potential vorticity | PVU | 3D | Remaining diagnostics |
dbz |
reflectivity |
Simulated reflectivity | dBZ | 3D | Remaining diagnostics |
maxdbz |
max_reflectivity, composite_reflectivity, mdbz |
Maximum (composite) reflectivity | dBZ | 2D | Remaining diagnostics |
ctt |
cloud_top_temperature |
Cloud-top temperature | degC | 2D | Remaining diagnostics |
cloudfrac |
cloud_fraction |
Cloud fraction (low/mid/high) | % | 2D | Remaining diagnostics |
uhel |
updraft_helicity |
Updraft helicity | m2/s2 | 2D | Remaining diagnostics |
stp |
significant_tornado_parameter |
Significant Tornado Parameter (fixed or effective via layer_type) | dimensionless | 2D | Severe & Extras |
stp_fixed |
— | STP fixed-layer (Thompson et al. 2003) | dimensionless | 2D | Severe & Extras |
stp_effective |
stp_eff |
STP effective-layer | dimensionless | 2D | Severe & Extras |
scp |
supercell_composite_parameter |
Supercell Composite Parameter (effective SRH + EBWD) | dimensionless | 2D | Severe & Extras |
ehi |
energy_helicity_index |
Energy-Helicity Index | dimensionless | 2D | Severe & Extras |
ecape_scp |
entraining_scp, experimental_ecape_scp |
Experimental SCP analog using ECAPE for the buoyancy term | dimensionless | 2D | Severe & Extras |
ecape_ehi |
entraining_ehi, experimental_ecape_ehi |
Experimental EHI analog using ECAPE for the buoyancy term | dimensionless | 2D | Severe & Extras |
tehi |
tornadic_0_1km_ehi |
SPC beta Tornadic 0-1 km EHI | dimensionless | 2D | Severe & Extras |
tts |
tornadic_tilting_stretching, tornadic_tilting_and_stretching |
SPC beta Tornadic Tilting and Stretching | dimensionless | 2D | Severe & Extras |
vtp_mod |
modified_violent_tornado_parameter |
Modified Violent Tornado Parameter | dimensionless | 2D | Severe & Extras |
critical_angle |
crit_angle |
Critical angle | degrees | 2D | Severe & Extras |
ship |
significant_hail_parameter |
Significant Hail Parameter | dimensionless | 2D | Severe & Extras |
bri |
bulk_richardson_number |
Bulk Richardson Number | dimensionless | 2D | Severe & Extras |
dcape |
downdraft_cape |
Downdraft CAPE | J/kg | 2D | Severe & Extras |
dcp |
derecho_composite_parameter |
Derecho Composite Parameter | dimensionless | 2D | Severe & Extras |
wndg |
wind_damage_parameter |
Wind Damage Parameter | dimensionless | 2D | Severe & Extras |
esp |
enhanced_stretching_potential |
Enhanced Stretching Potential | dimensionless | 2D | Severe & Extras |
mmp |
mcs_maintenance_probability |
MCS Maintenance Probability | dimensionless | 2D | Severe & Extras |
lapse_rate_700_500 |
lr75 |
700-500 hPa lapse rate | degC/km | 2D | Severe & Extras |
lapse_rate_0_3km |
lr03 |
0-3 km AGL lapse rate | degC/km | 2D | Severe & Extras |
freezing_level |
fzlev |
Freezing level height AGL | m | 2D | Severe & Extras |
wet_bulb_0 |
wb0, wet_bulb_zero |
Wet-bulb zero height AGL | m | 2D | Severe & Extras |
k_index |
kindex |
K Index | dimensionless | 2D | Severe & Extras |
total_totals |
totals_totals, t_totals, tot_tots |
Total Totals Index | dimensionless | 2D | Severe & Extras |
mean_mixr |
mean_mixing_ratio, low_level_mean_mixr |
Mean mixing ratio in the lowest 100 hPa | g/kg | 2D | Severe & Extras |
low_rh |
low_level_rh, mean_low_rh |
Mean RH in the lowest 100 hPa | % | 2D | Severe & Extras |
mid_rh |
mid_level_rh, mean_mid_rh |
Mean RH from 700-500 hPa | % | 2D | Severe & Extras |
dgz_rh |
dendritic_growth_zone_rh |
Mean RH through the dendritic growth zone | % | 2D | Severe & Extras |
lcl_temp |
lcl_temperature |
LCL temperature | degC | 2D | Severe & Extras |
convective_temp |
conv_t, convt |
Convective temperature | degC | 2D | Severe & Extras |
max_temp |
forecast_max_temp, maxt |
Forecast maximum surface temperature | degC | 2D | Severe & Extras |
theta_w |
wet_bulb_potential_temperature |
Wet-bulb potential temperature | K | 3D | Severe & Extras |
fosberg |
fwi, fosberg_fire_weather_index |
Fosberg Fire Weather Index | dimensionless | 2D | Severe & Extras |
haines |
haines_index |
Haines Index | dimensionless | 2D | Severe & Extras |
hdw |
hot_dry_windy |
Hot-Dry-Windy Index | dimensionless | 2D | Severe & Extras |
cape |
— | CAPE (configurable parcel_type or custom parcel, supports top_m) | J/kg | 2D | Configurable / generic variables |
cin |
— | CIN (configurable parcel_type or custom parcel, supports top_m) | J/kg | 2D | Configurable / generic variables |
effective_inflow |
eff_inflow, effective_inflow_layer |
Effective inflow layer base/top heights AGL | m | 2D | Configurable / generic variables |
effective_cape |
eff_cape |
MUCAPE within effective inflow layer | J/kg | 2D | Configurable / generic variables |
ecape |
entraining_cape |
Entraining CAPE from ecape-rs | J/kg | 2D | Configurable / generic variables |
ncape |
normalized_cape |
Normalized CAPE from ecape-rs | J/kg | 2D | Configurable / generic variables |
ecape_cape |
entraining_parcel_cape |
Entraining parcel CAPE from ecape-rs | J/kg | 2D | Configurable / generic variables |
ecape_cin |
ecin, entraining_parcel_cin |
Entraining parcel CIN from ecape-rs | J/kg | 2D | Configurable / generic variables |
ecape_lfc |
entraining_parcel_lfc |
Entraining parcel LFC from ecape-rs | m | 2D | Configurable / generic variables |
ecape_el |
entraining_parcel_el |
Entraining parcel EL from ecape-rs | m | 2D | Configurable / generic variables |
effective_srh |
srh_eff, eff_srh |
SRH over effective inflow layer (Bunkers) | m2/s2 | 2D | Configurable / generic variables |
ebwd |
effective_bulk_wind_difference, effective_bulk_shear |
Effective bulk wind difference | m/s | 2D | Configurable / generic variables |
bulk_shear |
shear |
Bulk wind shear (configurable bottom_m / top_m) | m/s | 2D | Configurable / generic variables |
mean_wind |
— | Mean wind (configurable bottom_m / top_m) | m/s | 2D | Configurable / generic variables |
lapse_rate |
lr |
Lapse rate (configurable bottom_m / top_m, use_virtual) | degC/km | 2D | Configurable / generic variables |
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