MSC GEM (Global Environmental Multiscale model) Development version. Used in forecast and assimilation modes. 800x600 0.45 degree longitude 0.30 degree latitude 900s timestep 58 vertical levels ISBA land surface scheme 22 types of vegetation specified from USGS 1-km global database ISBA land surface scheme 11 types of soil (STATSGO) in conterminous US and 3 types of soil in the rest of the world Locations and Characteristics