MARS data can be downloaded in many ways:

  • MARS on Command Line when logged into ECMWF
  • MARS Catalogue
  • MARS WebAPI

MARS is only available to certain users who have access to the Operational Archive.
Other users should use the Copernicus Climate Data Store.

MARS on Command Line

For retrieving mars data via the command line, users who have access to internal ECMWF systems can construct their request using the MARS Catalogue and simply copy into a text file and run the text file with the mars command. Details of running the MARS command can be found here : MARS command and request syntax


MARS Catalogue

For instructions on using the MARS Catalogue please see MARS Web and Web-MARS

MARS Web API

The MARS WebAPI allows users, who have access to the ECMWF Archive to download data directly from MARS using a script on their local workstation.

For Details on the WebAPI please see : ECMWF Web API

Retrieving subareas of GloFAS data

The GloFAS grid can not be interpolated as that would return incorrect river discharge values.

Therefore, in MARS retrievals for subareas of GloFAS data the specified bounding box should match with the GloFAS grid, which includes points with coordinate values ending as .x25 or .x75 for v4.0, and as .x5 for earlier versions. For example, for v4.0 the area of [-8.425, 16.275, -20.625, 39.175] is appropriate, while for earlier versions it would be [-8.45, 16.25,-20.65, 39.15].