May 12, 1995



                 A short update on the status of wgrib.



current version of wgrib is 1.3.3

new features over 1.3.0:

   append option for output files
   more diagnostic output
   support for polar stereograhic grids *
   ECMWF parameter table +

* preliminary
+ decodes /pub/datasets/ds111.5/sampledata.pbin from ncardata.ucar.edu
  (I don't have a large sample of ECMWF gridded grib files.)

ECMWF abbrev. are subject to change.  I used the same abbrev. for
multiply defined quantities.  If I mis-read the table and units are
different then the abbrev. should be different.  If there is a standard 
set of ECMWF abbrev., then it will be adopted.  Wgrib still has limited 
grid support, so don't expect wgrib to decode all EC grib files especially 
not the spectral or thinned grids. 


Temporarily the latest released version of wgrib can be obtained by
anonymous ftp from wesley.wwb.noaa.gov (/pub/wgrib/all.c).  This machine
is only up during (my) business hours.  (With regards to the internet
address: the local system admin gives people numbers and computers
names.  My name is wd51we and I logon on to wesley.)


                            Wesley Ebisuzaki
                            Climate Analysis Center
                            NMC

                            (send requests to be on the mailing list to)
                            wd51we@sun1.wwb.noaa.gov