Rapid Update Cycle

The RUC was designed to provide accurate short-range (0- to 12-hr) numerical forecast guidance for weather-sensitive users, such as those in the aviation community. Significant weather forecasting problems that occur in the 0- to 12-hr range include severe weather in all seasons (for example, tornadoes, thunderstorms, snow, and ice storms) and hazards to aviation (for example, clear air turbulence[?], icing, and downbursts[?]).

The RUC runs at the highest frequency of any forecast model at the National Centers for Environmental Prediction[?] (NCEP), assimilating recent observations to provide very high frequency updates of current conditions and short-range forecasts.