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This BASH script installs all the required libraries, packages, software, dependencies, etc for the Weather Research & Forecasting model suite.

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Citation:

Hatheway, W., Snoun, H., ur Rehman, H. et al. WRF-MOSIT: a modular and cross-platform tool for configuring and installing the WRF model. Earth Sci Inform (2023). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12145-023-01136-y

WRF Multi Operational System Install Toolkit

This is a BASH script that provides options to install the following Weather Research & Forecasting Model (WRF) packages in 64-bit systems:

  • Weather Research & Forecasting Model (WRF-ARW)

  • Weather Research & Forecasting Model Chemistry (WRF-CHEM)

  • Weather Research & Forecasting Model Hydro Standalone (WRF-Hydro)

  • Weather Research & Forecasting Model Hydro Coupled w/ WRF (WRF-Hydro Coupled)

  • Weather Research & Forecasting Model CMAQ (WRF-CMAQ)

  • Weather Research & Forecasting Model Wildland Fire (WRF-SFIRE)

  • A Coupled-Ocean-Atmosphere-Wave-Sediment Transport Modeling System (COAWST)

  • Basic Nesting is set up

System Requirements

  • 64-bit system
    • Darwin (MacOS)
    • Linux Debian Distro (Ubuntu, Mint, etc)
    • Windows Subsystem for Linux (Debian Distro, Ubuntu, Mint, etc)
    • Linux Fedora Distro (Centos, Rocky Linux, RHL, etc)
  • 350 Gigabyte (GB) of free storage space

Minimum Reccomended System Configuration

  • 16GB or more RAM
  • 8 or more CPU cores

WRF Folder Structure

The default WRF folder is located at:

/home/<username>/<WRF software name>

Where:

  • <username> is your Linux/MacOS system username.
  • <WRF software name> can be one of:
    • WRF
    • WRF_CHEM
    • WRFHYDRO
    • WRF_COUPLED
    • WRF_SFIRE
    • WRF_CMAQ
    • COAWST

Example:

/home/johndoe/WRF_CHEM/
/home/johndoe/WRFHYDRO_Coupled_Intel/

Update this path accordingly when configuring your environment variables or running tools.

Installed Version Information

export METPLUS_Version=6.2.0
export met_Version_number=12.2.0
export met_VERSION_number=12.2
export METPLUS_DATA=6.2
export WRF_VERSION=4.7.1
export WPS_VERSION=4.6.0
export CMAQ_VERSION=5.5
OS / Model WRF-ARW WRF-CHEM Hydro Standalone Hydro Coupled CMAQ SFIRE COAWST
Ubuntu/Debian (x86_64) GNU / Intel GNU / Intel GNU / Intel GNU / Intel GNU only GNU only GNU / Intel
RHEL/Rocky/CentOS (x86_64) GNU / Intel GNU / Intel GNU / Intel GNU / Intel GNU only GNU only GNU / Intel
macOS (Intel/ARM) GNU only GNU only GNU only GNU only Not available GNU only Not available

Libraries Installed (Latest libraries as of 11/01/2025)

  • Libraries are manually installed in sub-folders utilizing either Intel or GNU Compilers.
    • Libraries installed with GNU compilers
      • zlib (1.3.1)
      • MPICH (4.3.2)
      • libpng (1.6.39)
      • JasPer (1.900.1)
      • HDF5 (1.14.6)
      • PHDF5 (1.14.6)
      • Parallel-NetCDF (1.14.1)
      • NetCDF-C (4.9.3)
      • NetCDF-Fortran (4.6.2)
      • NetCDF-CXX (4.3.1)
      • Miniconda
    • Libraries installed with Intel compilers
      • zlib (1.3.1)
      • libpng (1.6.39)
      • JasPer (1.900.1)
      • HDF5 (1.14.6)
      • PHDF5 (1.14.6)
      • Parallel-NetCDF (1.14.1)
      • NetCDF-C (4.9.3)
      • NetCDF-Fortran (4.6.2)
      • Miniconda
      • Intel-Basekit
      • Intel-HPCKIT
      • Intel-Oneapi-Python

Software Packages

  • WRF
    • WRF v4.7.1
    • WPS v4.6.0
    • WRF PLUS v4.7.1
    • WRFDA 4DVAR v4.7.1
    • OBSGRID (Conda Installed - NCAR Command Language)
  • WRF-CHEM
    • WRF Chem w/KPP v4.7.1
    • WPS v4.6.0
    • WRFDA Chem 3DVAR
    • OBSGRID (Conda Installed - NCAR Command Language)
  • WRF-Hydro Standalone
    • WRF-Hydro v5.4
  • WRF-Hydro Coupled
    • WRF-Hydro v5.4
    • WRF v4.7.1
    • WPS v4.6.0
    • OBSGRID (Conda Installed - NCAR Command Language)
  • WRF-CMAQ
    • WRF v4.5.0
    • CMAQ v5.5
    • WPS v4.6.0
  • WRF-SFIRE
    • WRF-SFIRE v2
    • WPS v4.2

Pre/Post Processing Packages Installed

  • WRF

    • Development Testbed Center (DTC) Model Evaluation Tools (MET) v12.1.1
    • Development Testbed Center (DTC) Enhanced Model Evaluation Tools (METplus) v6.1.0
    • WRF-Python (Conda installed)
    • OpenGrADS
    • GrADS
    • NCAR Command Langauge (Conda installed)
    • Climate Data Operators (Conda installed)

  • WRF-CHEM

    • Development Testbed Center (DTC) Model Evaluation Tools (MET) v12.1.1
    • Development Testbed Center (DTC) Enhanced Model Evaluation Tools (METplus) v6.1.0
    • WRF-Python (Conda installed)
    • OpenGrADS
    • GrADS
    • NCAR Command Langauge (Conda installed)
    • Climate Data Operators (Conda installed)
    • Prep-Chem-SRC v1.5 (GNU only)
    • WRF CHEM Tools
      • Mozbc
      • Megan Bio Emiss
      • Megan Bio Data
      • Wes Coldens
      • ANTHRO EMIS
      • EDGAR HTAP
      • EPA ANTHO EMIS
      • UBC
      • Aircraft
      • FINN

  • WRF-Hydro Standalone

    • Development Testbed Center (DTC) Model Evaluation Tools (MET) v12.1.1
    • Development Testbed Center (DTC) Enhanced Model Evaluation Tools (METplus) v6.1.0
    • WRF-GIS-Preprocessor (Conda installed)

  • WRF-Hydo Coupled

    • Development Testbed Center (DTC) Model Evaluation Tools (MET) v12.1.1
    • Development Testbed Center (DTC) Enhanced Model Evaluation Tools (METplus) v6.1.0
    • WRF-Python (Conda installed)
    • OpenGrADS
    • GrADS
    • NCAR Command Langauge (Conda installed)
    • Climate Data Operators (Conda installed)
    • WRF-GIS-Preprocessor (Conda installed)

  • WRF-SFIRE

    • Development Testbed Center (DTC) Model Evaluation Tools (MET) v12.1.1
    • Development Testbed Center (DTC) Enhanced Model Evaluation Tools (METplus) v6.1.0
    • WRF-Python (Conda installed)
    • OpenGrADS
    • GrADS
    • NCAR Command Langauge (Conda installed)
    • Climate Data Operators (Conda installed)

  • WRF-CMAQ

    • Development Testbed Center (DTC) Model Evaluation Tools (MET) v12.1.1
    • Development Testbed Center (DTC) Enhanced Model Evaluation Tools (METplus) v6.1.0
    • WRF-Python (Conda installed)
    • OpenGrADS
    • GrADS
    • NCAR Command Langauge (Conda installed)
    • Climate Data Operators (Conda installed)

  • COAWST

    • Development Testbed Center (DTC) Model Evaluation Tools (MET) v12.1.1
    • Development Testbed Center (DTC) Enhanced Model Evaluation Tools (METplus) v6.1.0
    • WRF-Python (Conda installed)
    • OpenGrADS
    • GrADS
    • NCAR Command Langauge (Conda installed)
    • Climate Data Operators (Conda installed)

MacOS Installation

  • Make sure to download and Homebrew before moving to installation.

cd $HOME

/bin/bash -c "$(curl -fsSL https://raw.githubusercontent.com/Homebrew/install/master/install.sh)"

brew install git

git clone https://github.com/HathewayWill/WRF-MOSIT.git

cd $HOME/WRF-MOSIT

chmod 775 *.sh

./WRF-MOSIT.sh 2>&1 | tee WRF_MOSIT.log

APT Installation

  • (Make sure to download folder into your Home Directory):

cd $HOME

sudo apt install git -y

git clone https://github.com/HathewayWill/WRF-MOSIT.git

cd $HOME/WRF-MOSIT

chmod 775 *.sh

./WRF-MOSIT.sh 2>&1 | tee WRF_MOSIT.log

YUM/DNF Installation

  • (Make sure to download folder into your Home Directory):

cd $HOME

sudo (yum or dnf) install git -y

git clone https://github.com/HathewayWill/WRF-MOSIT.git

cd $HOME/WRF-MOSIT

chmod 775 *.sh

./WRF-MOSIT.sh 2>&1 | tee WRF_MOSIT.log

Script Behavior and Installation Options

Once the script is launched, it will perform the following checks and guide the user through a step-by-step installation process:

Automatic Checks

  • Detects system architecture type (e.g., Intel, AMD).
  • Verifies available storage space meets minimum requirements.

Interactive Installation Options

Users will be prompted to configure the following options:

  1. Compiler Selection
    Choose which compiler to use:

    • Intel – Offers improved performance on Intel CPUs. On non-Intel CPUs, performance gains are minimal or negligible.
    • GNU – Broad compatibility and stability across most architectures.

  2. Graphics Display Package
    Select your preferred visualization software:

    • GrADS
    • OpenGrADS

  3. Auto Configuration
    Enable one-click install using default/recommended settings. Recommended: Yes

  4. Secondary WPS Geography Files
    Download additional WPS geography datasets.
    Recommended: Yes (especially for full functionality)

  5. Optional WPS Geography Files
    Download optional datasets to enhance spatial resolution support.
    Recommended: Yes

  6. WRF Software Selection
    Choose which WRF-based model you want to install:

    • WRF
    • WRF-CHEM
    • WRF-Hydro
    • WRF-Hydro Coupled
    • WRF-CMAQ
    • WRF-SFIRE
    • COAWST

Conda Environments and Tools

The WRF-MOSIT installation includes several pre-configured Conda environments to support post-processing, visualization, and scripting tools commonly used with WRF output. These are automatically installed during setup:

Environment Name Path Purpose
cdo_stable $HOME/<WRF software name>/miniconda3/envs/cdo_stable Environment for Climate Data Operators (CDO) – a collection of command-line tools for manipulating and analyzing climate and forecast model data.
ncl_stable $HOME/<WRF software name>/miniconda3/envs/ncl_stable Environment for NCAR Command Language (NCL) – used for advanced scientific visualization and analysis of atmospheric data.
wrf-python $HOME/<WRF software name>/miniconda3/envs/wrf-python Environment for WRF-Python – a Python package for post-processing WRF model output using NumPy and Matplotlib-compatible interfaces.
wrfh_gis_env $HOME/<WRF software name>/miniconda3/envs/wrfh_gis_env Environment for WRF-GIS-Preprocessor – The WRF-Hydro GIS Pre-processor provides various scripts and tools for building the geospatial input files for running a WRF-Hydro simulation.

These environments ensure tool stability and avoid dependency conflicts by isolating the tools in their own environments. You can activate them using:

conda activate environment_name

Exports to run WRF and WPS programs

  • GNU Compilers

    export LD_LIBRARY_PATH=$HOME/WRF/Libs/NETCDF/lib:$LD_LIBRARY_PATH

    export LD_LIBRARY_PATH=$HOME/WRF/Libs/grib2/lib:$LD_LIBRARY_PATH

    export PATH=$HOME/WRF/Libs/MPICH/bin:$PATH

    export PATH=$HOME/WRF/Libs/grib2/lib:$PATH

    export PATH=$HOME/WRF/GrADS/Contents:$PATH

  • Intel Compilers

    source /opt/intel/oneapi/setvars.sh

    export LD_LIBRARY_PATH=$HOME/WRF_Intel/Libs/NETCDF/lib:$LD_LIBRARY_PATH

    export LD_LIBRARY_PATH=$HOME/WRF_Intel/Libs/grib2/lib:$LD_LIBRARY_PATH

    export PATH=$HOME/WRF_Intel/Libs/grib2/lib:$PATH

    export PATH=$HOME/WRF_Intel/GrADS/Contents:$PATH

  • Make sure to change the name of the WRF Folder to whichever version you are using, WRF_CHEM, WRFHYDRO, etc.

*** Tested on Ubuntu 22.04.4 LTS, Ubuntu 24.04.3 LTS, MacOS Ventura, MacOS Sonoma, Centos8, Rocky Linux 9, Windows Sub-Linux Ubuntu***
  • Built 64-bit system.
  • Tested with current available libraries on 11/01/2025, exceptions have been noted in the script documentation.

Estimated Run Time ~ 60 to 120 Minutes @ 10mbps download speed.

  • Intel compilers take slightly more time to install packages.

Special thanks to:

  • University of Zadar's Ivan T. - Youtube's meteoadriatic
  • GitHub user jamal919
  • University of Manchester's Doug L
  • University of Tunis El Manar's Hosni S.
  • GSL's Jordan S.
  • NCAR's Mary B., Christine W., Soren R., & Carl D.
  • DTC's Tara J.,Julie P., George M., & John H.
  • UCAR's Katelyn F., Jim B., Jordan P., Kevin M.,

Citation:

Hatheway, W., Snoun, H., ur Rehman, H. et al. WRF-MOSIT: a modular and cross-platform tool for configuring and installing the WRF model. Earth Sci Inform (2023). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12145-023-01136-y

References:

Appel KW, Gilliam RC, Davis N, Zubrow A, Howard SC (2011) Overview of the atmospheric model evaluation tool (AMET) v1.1 for evaluating meteorological and air quality models. Environ Model Softw 26:434–443. https://doi.org/10.1016/J.ENVSOFT.2010.09.007 Article Google Scholar

Brousse O, Martilli A, Foley M, Mills G, Bechtel B (2016) WUDAPT, an efficient land use producing data tool for mesoscale models? Integration of urban LCZ in WRF over Madrid. Urban Clim 17:116–134. https://doi.org/10.1016/J.UCLIM.2016.04.001 Article Google Scholar

Brown B, Jensen T, Gotway JH, Bullock R, Gilleland E, Fowler T, Newman K, Adriaansen D, Blank L, Burek T, Harrold M, Hertneky T, Kalb C, Kucera P, Nance L, Opatz J, Vigh J, Wolff J (2021) The model evaluation tools (MET): more than a decade of community-supported forecast verification. Bull Am Meteorol Soc 102:E782–E807. https://doi.org/10.1175/BAMS-D-19-0093.1 Article Google Scholar

Carslaw DC, Ropkins K (2012) Openair — an R package for air quality data analysis. Environ Model Softw 27–28. https://doi.org/10.1016/J.ENVSOFT.2011.09.008 Chang V (2017) Towards data analysis for weather cloud computing. Knowl-Based Syst 127:29–45. https://doi.org/10.1016/J.KNOSYS.2017.03.003 Article Google Scholar

Coen JL, Cameron M, Michalakes J, Patton EG, Riggan PJ, Yedinak KM (2013) WRF-Fire: coupled Weather–Wildland Fire modeling with the weather research and forecasting model. J Appl Meteorol Climatol 52:16–38. https://doi.org/10.1175/JAMC-D-12-023.1 Article Google Scholar

Fast JD, Gustafson WI, Easter RC, Zaveri RA, Barnard JC, Chapman EG, Grell GA, Peckham SE (2006) Evolution of ozone, particulates, and aerosol direct radiative forcing in the vicinity of Houston using a fully coupled meteorology-chemistry-aerosol model. J Geophys Res Atmos 111. https://doi.org/10.1029/2005JD006721 Grell GA, Peckham SE, Schmitz R, McKeen SA, Frost G, Skamarock WC, Eder B (2005) Fully coupled online chemistry within the WRF model. Atmos Environ 39:6957–6975. https://doi.org/10.1016/J.ATMOSENV.2005.04.027 Article Google Scholar

Hluchy L (2016) Software support for the execution of WRF (Weather Research and Forecasting) simulations on HPC infrastructures. https://doi.org/10.1109/eScience.2016.7870932 Hoste K, Timmerman J, Georges A, Weirdt S, D (2012) Easybuild: building software with ease. Proc – 2012 SC Companion High Perform. Comput Netw Storage Anal SCC 2012:572–582. https://doi.org/10.1109/SC.COMPANION.2012.81 Maharjan A, Shakya A (2022) Enhancement of WRF Model using CUDA. Interdiscip J Innov Nepal Acad 1:16–22. https://doi.org/10.3126/IDJINA.V1I1.51963 Article Google Scholar

McCaslin et al (2004) 14.4 A Graphical User Interface to Prepare the Standard Initialization for WRF (2004–84Annual_20waf16nw) [WWW Document]. https://ams.confex.com/ams/84Annual/techprogram/paper_69852.htm. Accessed 3.7.23 Meyer D, Riechert M (2019) Open source QGIS toolkit for the advanced research WRF modeling system. Environ Model Softw 112:166–178. https://doi.org/10.1016/J.ENVSOFT.2018.10.018 Article Google Scholar

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National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) (2021) WRF User’s Guide. Retrieved from https://www2.mmm.ucar.edu/wrf/users/docs/user_guide_V4/user_guide_V4.3.pdf. Accessed 2021 Nikfal A (2023) PostWRF: interactive tools for the visualization of the WRF and ERA5 model outputs. Environ Model Softw 160:105591. https://doi.org/10.1016/J.ENVSOFT.2022.105591 Article Google Scholar

Sanyal J, Zhang S, Dyer J, Mercer A, Amburn P, Moorhead R (2010) Noodles: a tool for visualization of numerical weather model ensemble uncertainty. IEEE Trans Vis Comput Graph 16:1421–1430. https://doi.org/10.1109/TVCG.2010.181 Article Google Scholar

Shi J, Wu Z, Lu G, Li Y (2013) Design and application of WRF computing platform based on B/S structure. Proc – 2013 Int Conf Mechatron Sci Electr Eng Comput MEC 2013:1804–1807. https://doi.org/10.1109/MEC.2013.6885345 Skamarock WC, Klemp JB, Dudhia J, Gill DO, Barker DM, Wang W, Powers JG (2008) A description of the advanced research WRF version 3. NCAR/TN. https://doi.org/10.5065/D68S4MVH Skamarock C, Klemp B, Dudhia J, Gill O, Liu Z, Berner J, Wang W, Powers G, Duda G, Barker D, Huang X (2021) A Description of the Advanced Research WRF Model Version 4.3. https://doi.org/10.5065/1DFH-6P97 Wang YQ (2014) MeteoInfo: GIS software for meteorological data visualization and analysis. Meteorol Appl 21:360–368. https://doi.org/10.1002/MET.1345

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This BASH script installs all the required libraries, packages, software, dependencies, etc for the Weather Research & Forecasting model suite.

Topics

macos linux ubuntu modeling noaa windows-subsystem-linux atmospheric-modelling atmospheric-science ncar wrf atmospheric-chemistry wrfchem windows-subsystem-for-linux ucar wrfhydro

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