Forecast Products based on a combination of the GFS and FLEXPART models

This is the entrance portal to tracer forecasts using the FLEXPART particle dispersion model, and some plots of meteorological parameters. These products are maintained by Jerome Brioude U. of Colorado/ NOAA ESRL (originally maintained by Owen Cooper,CIRES/NOAA ESRL, Boulder) and are based on the original forecast system developed by Andreas Stohl and Caroline Forster at the Norwegian Institue for Air Research (NILU), Kjeller, Norway.

While all plume and meteorology plots are produced by the forecast system and directly accessible through this webpage, only a few selected tracer plots are provided. We recommend the FLEXPART interactive webpage for creating custom plots of FLEXPART tracers:

FLEXPART interactive webpage (works with firefox)

FLEXPART interactive webpage for uploaded flight tracks

FLEXPART interactive flight planning tool over Fairbanks (Alaska)

FLEXPART interactive flight planning tool over Kiruna (Sweden)



CO-Tracers Meteorological fields Forecast consistency check Backtrajectories

CO Tracers

Here, a few static CO tracer plots are provided for orientation.
The main access to the FLEXPART products is via the interactive tool above.
Please note that NO2 and SO2 or BrO tracers are also available via the interactive tool.

North American CO Tracer

Asian CO Tracer

European CO Tracer

Total anthropogenic CO Tracer

North Hemisphere biomass burning CO Tracer


GFS Meteorological fields

Geopotential Height (500 hPa)

Surface Pressure

Equivalent Potential Temperature

Relative Humidity


Forecast consistency check

Here, you can check the consistency of the forecasts (up to 48h) by comparing the output of the different total column CO tracers and 500hPa geopotential for a specific date calculated with different forecast starting dates.

Total anthropogenic CO Tracer

North American CO Tracer

Asian CO Tracer

European CO Tracer

Backtrajectories from NOAA P3 flights

The retroplumes are calculated over 25 days. The available products are: the footprint residence time, the total column residence time, the CO, NO2 and SO2 surface contribution, the biomass burning CO contribution. Click on the links below to select the products related to each of the NOAA P3 flights
Doesn't work with Firefox 3

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If you have questions on the modelling products, or problems with your web browser please contact Jerome Brioude.