diff --git a/parm/prep_sfc/snow2mdl.nml.tmpl b/parm/prep_sfc/snow2mdl.nml.tmpl
new file mode 100644
index 000000000..cdb4c848b
--- /dev/null
+++ b/parm/prep_sfc/snow2mdl.nml.tmpl
@@ -0,0 +1,34 @@
+&source_data
+  autosnow_file=""
+  nesdis_snow_file="./imssnow96.grib2"
+  nesdis_lsmask_file=""
+  afwa_snow_global_file="./snow.usaf.grib2"
+  afwa_snow_nh_file=""
+  afwa_snow_sh_file=""
+  afwa_lsmask_nh_file=""
+  afwa_lsmask_sh_file=""
+/
+&qc
+  climo_qc_file="@[CLIMO_QC]"
+/
+&model_specs
+  model_lat_file="@[MODEL_LATITUDE_FILE]"
+  model_lon_file="@[MODEL_LONGITUDE_FILE]"
+  model_lsmask_file="@[MODEL_SLMASK_FILE]"
+  gfs_lpl_file="@[GFS_LONSPERLAT_FILE]"
+/
+&output_data
+  model_snow_file="./@[MODEL_SNOW_FILE]"
+  output_grib2=@[OUTPUT_GRIB2]
+/
+&output_grib_time
+  grib_year=@[IMSYEAR]
+  grib_month=@[IMSMONTH]
+  grib_day=@[IMSDAY]
+  grib_hour=@[IMSHOUR]
+/
+&parameters
+  lat_threshold=55.0
+  min_snow_depth=0.05
+  snow_cvr_threshold=50.0
+/
diff --git a/reg_tests/ice_blend/driver.hercules.sh b/reg_tests/ice_blend/driver.hercules.sh
index 5377e77d3..35d818723 100755
--- a/reg_tests/ice_blend/driver.hercules.sh
+++ b/reg_tests/ice_blend/driver.hercules.sh
@@ -32,11 +32,13 @@ set -x
 source ../../sorc/machine-setup.sh > /dev/null 2>&1
 module use ../../modulefiles
 module load build.$target.intelllvm
+module load grib-util/1.4.0
+module load wgrib2/3.6.0
 module list
 
 ulimit -s unlimited
 
-export DATA="${WORK_DIR:-/work/noaa/stmp/$LOGNAME}"
+DATA="${WORK_DIR:-/work2/noaa/stmp/$LOGNAME}"
 export DATA="${DATA}/reg-tests/ice-blend"
 
 #-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
@@ -50,17 +52,9 @@ if [ "$UPDATE_BASELINE" = "TRUE" ]; then
   source ../get_hash.sh
 fi
 
-export WGRIB=/work/noaa/epic/role-epic/spack-stack/hercules/spack-stack-1.5.0/envs/unified-env/install/intel/2021.9.0/grib-util-1.3.0-wenl3in/bin/wgrib
-export WGRIB2=/work/noaa/epic/role-epic/spack-stack/hercules/spack-stack-1.5.0/envs/unified-env/install/intel/2021.9.0/wgrib2-3.1.1-v7xhwos/bin/wgrib2
-export COPYGB=/work/noaa/epic/role-epic/spack-stack/hercules/spack-stack-1.5.0/envs/unified-env/install/intel/2021.9.0/grib-util-1.3.0-wenl3in/bin/copygb
-export COPYGB2=/work/noaa/epic/role-epic/spack-stack/hercules/spack-stack-1.5.0/envs/unified-env/install/intel/2021.9.0/grib-util-1.3.0-wenl3in/bin/copygb2
-export CNVGRIB=/work/noaa/epic/role-epic/spack-stack/hercules/spack-stack-1.5.0/envs/unified-env/install/intel/2021.9.0/grib-util-1.3.0-wenl3in/bin/cnvgrib
-
 export HOMEreg=/work/noaa/nems/role-nems/ufs_utils.hercules/reg_tests/ice_blend
 export HOMEgfs=$PWD/../..
 
-rm -fr $DATA
-
 ./ice_blend.sh
 
 exit 0
diff --git a/reg_tests/ice_blend/driver.jet.sh b/reg_tests/ice_blend/driver.jet.sh
index 89106eca1..bd6088805 100755
--- a/reg_tests/ice_blend/driver.jet.sh
+++ b/reg_tests/ice_blend/driver.jet.sh
@@ -57,8 +57,6 @@ export HOMEreg=/lfs5/HFIP/hfv3gfs/emc.nemspara/role.ufsutils/ufs_utils/reg_tests
 
 export HOMEgfs=$PWD/../..
 
-rm -fr $DATA
-
 ./ice_blend.sh
 
 exit 0
diff --git a/reg_tests/ice_blend/driver.orion.sh b/reg_tests/ice_blend/driver.orion.sh
index a21b8893e..4759ed8de 100755
--- a/reg_tests/ice_blend/driver.orion.sh
+++ b/reg_tests/ice_blend/driver.orion.sh
@@ -55,8 +55,6 @@ fi
 export HOMEreg=/work/noaa/nems/role-nems/ufs_utils/reg_tests/ice_blend
 export HOMEgfs=$PWD/../..
 
-rm -fr $DATA
-
 ./ice_blend.sh
 
 exit 0
diff --git a/reg_tests/ice_blend/driver.ursa.sh b/reg_tests/ice_blend/driver.ursa.sh
index 0bf72da87..1a5283449 100755
--- a/reg_tests/ice_blend/driver.ursa.sh
+++ b/reg_tests/ice_blend/driver.ursa.sh
@@ -59,8 +59,6 @@ fi
 export HOMEreg=/scratch3/NCEPDEV/nems/role.ufsutils/ufs_utils/reg_tests/ice_blend
 export HOMEgfs=$PWD/../..
 
-rm -fr $DATA
-
 ./ice_blend.sh
 
 exit 0
diff --git a/reg_tests/ice_blend/driver.wcoss2.sh b/reg_tests/ice_blend/driver.wcoss2.sh
index 3131dda72..791d02a6e 100755
--- a/reg_tests/ice_blend/driver.wcoss2.sh
+++ b/reg_tests/ice_blend/driver.wcoss2.sh
@@ -54,8 +54,6 @@ fi
 export HOMEreg=/lfs/h2/emc/nems/noscrub/emc.nems/UFS_UTILS/reg_tests/ice_blend
 export HOMEgfs=$PBS_O_WORKDIR/../..
 
-rm -fr $DATA
-
 ./ice_blend.sh
 
 exit 0
diff --git a/reg_tests/ice_blend/ice_blend.sh b/reg_tests/ice_blend/ice_blend.sh
index fcd90fa35..c69b87e66 100755
--- a/reg_tests/ice_blend/ice_blend.sh
+++ b/reg_tests/ice_blend/ice_blend.sh
@@ -5,20 +5,52 @@
 # driver script.
 #-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
-export IMS_FILE=$HOMEreg/input_data/imssnow96.grib2.gdas.2018120618
-export FIVE_MIN_ICE_FILE=$HOMEreg/input_data/seaice.5min.grib2.gdas.2018120618
+set -x
 
-${HOMEgfs}/ush/emcsfc_ice_blend.sh
+rm -fr $DATA
+mkdir -p $DATA
+cd $DATA
 
+IMS_FILE=${HOMEreg}/input_data/imssnow96.grib2.gdas.2018120618
+cp ${IMS_FILE} ./ims.grib2
+
+# Follow OPS procedure by converting the IMS data to the 5 minute
+# global grid.
+$WGRIB2 ims.grib2 -match "ICEC" -grib ims.icec.grib2
+grid173="0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 4320 2160 0 0 89958000 42000 48 -89958000 359958000 83000 83000 0"
+$COPYGB2 -x -i3 -g "$grid173" ims.icec.grib2 ims.icec.5min.grib2
+
+FIVE_MIN_ICE_FILE=${HOMEreg}/input_data/seaice.5min.grib2.gdas.2018120618
+FIVE_MIN_ICE_MASK_FILE=${HOMEgfs}/fix/am/emcsfc_gland5min.grib2
+BLENDED_ICE_FILE="seaice.5min.blend"
+
+# These are input files.
+export FORT17="$FIVE_MIN_ICE_MASK_FILE"
+export FORT11="ims.icec.5min.grib2"
+export FORT15="$FIVE_MIN_ICE_FILE"
+
+# This is the output blended file
+export FORT51=${BLENDED_ICE_FILE}
+
+# Run the emcsfc_ice_blend executable.
+${HOMEgfs}/exec/emcsfc_ice_blend >> OUTPUT 2> errfile
 iret=$?
+
 if [ $iret -ne 0 ]; then
   set +x
   echo "<<< ICE_BLEND TEST FAILED. <<<"
-  echo "<<< ICE_BLEND TEST FAILED. <<<"  > ./summary.log
+  echo "<<< ICE_BLEND TEST FAILED. <<<"  > ${HOMEgfs}/reg_tests/ice_blend/summary.log
   exit $iret
+else
+# Follow the OPS procedure by converting the output to grib1 and replace the
+# bitmap with a flag value of 1.57. That flag is expected by the global_cycle
+# program.
+  $WGRIB2 -set_int 3 51 42000 ${BLENDED_ICE_FILE} -grib ${BLENDED_ICE_FILE}.corner
+  $CNVGRIB -g21 ${BLENDED_ICE_FILE}.corner ${BLENDED_ICE_FILE}.bitmap
+  $COPYGB -M "#1.57" -x ${BLENDED_ICE_FILE}.bitmap $BLENDED_ICE_FILE
 fi
 
-cmp ${DATA}/seaice.5min.blend $HOMEreg/baseline_data/t1534/seaice.5min.blend
+cmp ${BLENDED_ICE_FILE} ${HOMEreg}/baseline_data/t1534/seaice.5min.blend
 iret=$?
 test_failed=0
 if [ $iret -ne 0 ]; then
@@ -31,17 +63,16 @@ if [ $test_failed -ne 0 ]; then
   echo "*********************************"
   echo "<<< ICE BLEND TEST FAILED. >>>"
   echo "*********************************"
-  echo "<<< ICE BLEND TEST FAILED. >>>" > ./summary.log
+  echo "<<< ICE BLEND TEST FAILED. >>>" > ${HOMEgfs}/reg_tests/ice_blend/summary.log
   if [ "$UPDATE_BASELINE" = "TRUE" ]; then
-    cd $DATA
-    $HOMEgfs/reg_tests/update_baseline.sh $HOMEreg "t1534" $commit_num
+    ${HOMEgfs}/reg_tests/update_baseline.sh $HOMEreg "t1534" $commit_num
   fi
 else
   echo
   echo "*********************************"
   echo "<<< ICE BLEND TEST PASSED. >>>"
   echo "*********************************"
-  echo "<<< ICE BLEND TEST PASSED. >>>" > ./summary.log
+  echo "<<< ICE BLEND TEST PASSED. >>>" > ${HOMEgfs}/reg_tests/ice_blend/summary.log
 fi
 
 exit 0
diff --git a/reg_tests/snow2mdl/driver.hercules.sh b/reg_tests/snow2mdl/driver.hercules.sh
index caec19c5a..cd36be1c7 100755
--- a/reg_tests/snow2mdl/driver.hercules.sh
+++ b/reg_tests/snow2mdl/driver.hercules.sh
@@ -23,13 +23,12 @@ set -x
 source ../../sorc/machine-setup.sh > /dev/null 2>&1
 module use ../../modulefiles
 module load build.$target.intelllvm
-module load prod_util/2.1.1
 module list
 
 ulimit -s unlimited
 
-export DATA_ROOT="${WORK_DIR:-/work2/noaa/stmp/$LOGNAME}"
-export DATA_ROOT="${DATA_ROOT}/reg-tests/snow2mdl"
+DATA_ROOT="${WORK_DIR:-/work2/noaa/stmp/$LOGNAME}"
+DATA_ROOT="${DATA_ROOT}/reg-tests/snow2mdl"
 
 PROJECT_CODE="${PROJECT_CODE:-fv3-cpu}"
 QUEUE="${QUEUE:-batch}"
@@ -51,8 +50,6 @@ export OMP_NUM_THREADS=1
 
 export HOMEreg=/work/noaa/nems/role-nems/ufs_utils.hercules/reg_tests/snow2mdl
 export HOMEgfs=$PWD/../..
-export WGRIB=/work/noaa/epic/role-epic/spack-stack/hercules/spack-stack-1.5.0/envs/unified-env/install/intel/2021.9.0/grib-util-1.3.0-wenl3in/bin/wgrib
-export WGRIB2=/work/noaa/epic/role-epic/spack-stack/hercules/spack-stack-1.5.0/envs/unified-env/install/intel/2021.9.0/wgrib2-3.1.1-v7xhwos/bin/wgrib2
 
 # The first test uses the hemispheric air force/afwa data, which was used in OPS.
 
diff --git a/reg_tests/snow2mdl/driver.jet.sh b/reg_tests/snow2mdl/driver.jet.sh
index 75177d8f7..c764bcbcd 100755
--- a/reg_tests/snow2mdl/driver.jet.sh
+++ b/reg_tests/snow2mdl/driver.jet.sh
@@ -24,8 +24,6 @@ set -x
 source ../../sorc/machine-setup.sh > /dev/null 2>&1
 module use ../../modulefiles
 module load build.$target.intelllvm
-module load wgrib2/2.0.8
-module load prod_util/2.1.1
 set +x
 module list
 set -x
@@ -49,7 +47,6 @@ fi
 
 export HOMEreg=/lfs5/HFIP/hfv3gfs/emc.nemspara/role.ufsutils/ufs_utils/reg_tests/snow2mdl
 export HOMEgfs=$PWD/../..
-export WGRIB=/apps/wgrib/1.8.1.0b/bin/wgrib
 
 rm -fr $DATA_ROOT
 
diff --git a/reg_tests/snow2mdl/driver.orion.sh b/reg_tests/snow2mdl/driver.orion.sh
index df0b87d5f..b3a4802a6 100755
--- a/reg_tests/snow2mdl/driver.orion.sh
+++ b/reg_tests/snow2mdl/driver.orion.sh
@@ -23,15 +23,12 @@ set -x
 source ../../sorc/machine-setup.sh > /dev/null 2>&1
 module use ../../modulefiles
 module load build.$target.intelllvm
-module load grib-util/1.4.0
-module load wgrib2/3.6.0
-module load prod_util/2.1.1
 module list
 
 ulimit -a
 
-export DATA_ROOT="${WORK_DIR:-/work/noaa/stmp/$LOGNAME}"
-export DATA_ROOT="${DATA_ROOT}/reg-tests/snow2mdl"
+DATA_ROOT="${WORK_DIR:-/work/noaa/stmp/$LOGNAME}"
+DATA_ROOT="${DATA_ROOT}/reg-tests/snow2mdl"
 
 PROJECT_CODE="${PROJECT_CODE:-fv3-cpu}"
 QUEUE="${QUEUE:-batch}"
diff --git a/reg_tests/snow2mdl/driver.ursa.sh b/reg_tests/snow2mdl/driver.ursa.sh
index d91f9380b..2b9cfb594 100755
--- a/reg_tests/snow2mdl/driver.ursa.sh
+++ b/reg_tests/snow2mdl/driver.ursa.sh
@@ -25,16 +25,8 @@ compiler=${compiler:-"intelllvm"}
 source ../../sorc/machine-setup.sh > /dev/null 2>&1
 module use ../../modulefiles
 module load build.$target.$compiler
-module load grib-util
-module load wgrib2
-module load prod_util
 module list
 
-WGRIB=${GRIB_UTIL_ROOT}/bin/wgrib
-
-export WGRIB
-export WGRIB2
-
 DATA_ROOT="${WORK_DIR:-/scratch4/NCEPDEV/stmp/$LOGNAME}"
 DATA_ROOT="${DATA_ROOT}/reg-tests/snow2mdl"
 
diff --git a/reg_tests/snow2mdl/driver.wcoss2.sh b/reg_tests/snow2mdl/driver.wcoss2.sh
index 3199f52da..ea89f698b 100755
--- a/reg_tests/snow2mdl/driver.wcoss2.sh
+++ b/reg_tests/snow2mdl/driver.wcoss2.sh
@@ -21,15 +21,12 @@
 source ../../sorc/machine-setup.sh > /dev/null 2>&1
 module use ../../modulefiles
 module load build.$target.intel
-module load grib_util/1.2.2
-module load wgrib2/2.0.8
-module load prod_util/2.0.14
 module list
 
 set -x
 
-export DATA_ROOT="${WORK_DIR:-/lfs/h2/emc/stmp/$LOGNAME}"
-export DATA_ROOT="${DATA_ROOT}/reg-tests/snow2mdl"
+DATA_ROOT="${WORK_DIR:-/lfs/h2/emc/stmp/$LOGNAME}"
+DATA_ROOT="${DATA_ROOT}/reg-tests/snow2mdl"
 
 PROJECT_CODE=${PROJECT_CODE:-"GFS-DEV"}
 QUEUE=${QUEUE:-"dev"}
diff --git a/reg_tests/snow2mdl/snow2mdl.global.sh b/reg_tests/snow2mdl/snow2mdl.global.sh
index 2ede113c7..2890ca08c 100755
--- a/reg_tests/snow2mdl/snow2mdl.global.sh
+++ b/reg_tests/snow2mdl/snow2mdl.global.sh
@@ -1,25 +1,55 @@
 #!/bin/bash
 
 #--------------------------------------------------------------------------
-# Create a snow file from afwa global data and ims data.  This script 
+# Create a snow file from afwa global data and ims data.  This script
 # is run from its machine-specific driver.
+#
+# This test mimics current GFS OPS which uses the global afwa data.
+#
+# Note, this test uses the "snow2mdl.nml.tmpl" template to create
+# the fort.41 namelist as is done by the global workflow.
 #--------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
+echo "BEGIN SNOW2MDL GLOBAL TEST."
+
 set -x
 
-export IMS_FILE=$HOMEreg/input_data/global/gfs.t00z.imssnow96.grib2
-export AFWA_GLOBAL_FILE="$HOMEreg/input_data/global/gfs.t00z.snow.usaf.grib2"
+HOMEush="${HOMEgfs}/ush"
+HOMEparm="${HOMEgfs}/parm"
+HOMEexec="${HOMEgfs}/exec"
+HOMEfix="${HOMEgfs}/fix/am"
+
+source "${HOMEush}/atparse.bash"  # include function atparse for parsing @[XYZ] templated files
+
+SNOW2MDLNMLTMPL="${HOMEparm}/prep_sfc/snow2mdl.nml.tmpl"
+
+CLIMO_QC="${HOMEfix}/emcsfc_snow_cover_climo.grib2"
+
+MODEL_LATITUDE_FILE="${HOMEfix}/global_latitudes.t1534.3072.1536.grb"
+MODEL_LONGITUDE_FILE="${HOMEfix}/global_longitudes.t1534.3072.1536.grb"
+MODEL_SLMASK_FILE="${HOMEfix}/global_slmask.t1534.3072.1536.grb"
+GFS_LONSPERLAT_FILE="${HOMEfix}/global_lonsperlat.t1534.3072.1536.txt"
+
+MODEL_SNOW_FILE="snogrb_model"
+OUTPUT_GRIB2=".false."
+
+IMSYEAR=2025
+IMSMONTH=03
+IMSDAY=25
+IMSHOUR=0
 
-export MODEL_LATITUDE_FILE=$HOMEgfs/fix/am/global_latitudes.t1534.3072.1536.grb
-export MODEL_LONGITUDE_FILE=$HOMEgfs/fix/am/global_longitudes.t1534.3072.1536.grb
-export MODEL_SLMASK_FILE=$HOMEgfs/fix/am/global_slmask.t1534.3072.1536.grb
-export GFS_LONSPERLAT_FILE=$HOMEgfs/fix/am/global_lonsperlat.t1534.3072.1536.txt
+rm -fr $DATA
+mkdir -p $DATA
+cd $DATA
 
-export OMP_NUM_THREADS=1
-export OUTPUT_GRIB2=.false.
+cp "$HOMEreg/input_data/global/gfs.t00z.imssnow96.grib2" "./imssnow96.grib2"
+cp "$HOMEreg/input_data/global/gfs.t00z.snow.usaf.grib2" "./snow.usaf.grib2"
 
-${HOMEgfs}/ush/emcsfc_snow.sh
+atparse < "${SNOW2MDLNMLTMPL}" >> "./fort.41"
+echo "Rendered fort.41"
+cat "./fort.41"
 
+eval ${HOMEexec}/emcsfc_snow2mdl >> OUTPUT 2> errfile
 iret=$?
 if [ $iret -ne 0 ]; then
   set +x
diff --git a/scripts/exemcsfc_global_sfc_prep.sh b/scripts/exemcsfc_global_sfc_prep.sh
deleted file mode 100755
index 2090eb035..000000000
--- a/scripts/exemcsfc_global_sfc_prep.sh
+++ /dev/null
@@ -1,273 +0,0 @@
-#!/bin/bash
-
-####  UNIX Script Documentation Block ###################################
-#                      .                                             .
-# Script name:  exemcsfc_global_sfc_prep.sh
-# RFC Contact:  George Gayno
-# Abstract:  This script calls two utility scripts to prepare a global 
-#    blended ice analysis and global snow analyses for use by GFS/GDAS.
-#    If there is an error in either utility script, the ice/snow
-#    file from the previous cycle is copied to the current com
-#    directory.  If the ice/snow file from the previous cycle is
-#    unavailable, the script aborts.
-#
-# Script History Log:
-#    07/2014  Gayno   Initial version
-#    12/2014  Gayno   Set file defaults to grib 2 versions
-#                     when available.
-#    08/2015  Gayno   Update to current NCO standards
-#    08/2020  Gayno   Rename without the '.ecf' extention per
-#                     latest NCO standards.
-#
-# Usage:
-#  Parameters:    < no arguments >
-#  Modules:
-#    /nwprod/gfs.vX.Y.Z/ush/emcsfc_ice_blend.sh (create global ice blend)
-#    /nwprod/gfs.vX.Y.Z/ush/emcsfc_snow.sh (create model snow analysis)
-#  Input Files:
-#    $AFWA_GLOBAL_FILE       - afwa snow data (grib 2)
-#    $IMS_FILE               - nh ims snow cover and ice data (grib 2)
-#    $FIVE_MIN_ICE_FILE      - global 5-minute ice concentration (grib 2)
-#    $FIVE_MIN_ICE_MASK_FILE - corresponding land/sea mask for $FIVE_MIN_ICE_FILE 
-#                              (grib 2)
-#    $BLENDED_ICE_FILE_m6hrs - global 5-minute blended ice data (grib 1)
-#                              from previous cycle.  Backup data if
-#                              program failure.
-#    $MODEL_SLMASK_FILE      - model land/sea mask (grib 1)
-#    $MODEL_LATITUDE_FILE    - model latitudes (grib 1)
-#    $MODEL_LONGITUDE_FILE   - model longitudes (grib 1)
-#    $GFS_LONSPERLAT_FILE    - gfs reduced grid information (text)
-#    $MODEL_SNOW_FILE_m6hrs  - snow analysis on model grid (grib 1)
-#                              from previous cycle.  Backup data if
-#                              program failure
-#  Output Files:
-#    $BLENDED_ICE_FILE - global 5-minute blended ice data (grib 1)
-#    $MODEL_SNOW_FILE  - snow analysis on model grid (grib 1)
-#
-# Condition codes:
-#  0       - normal termination
-#  non-0   - problem in the emcsfc_ice_blend.sh or emcsfc_snow.sh
-#            script and the backup ice or snow data is missing.
-#            fatal error.
-#
-# Attributes:
-#     Language:  RedHat Linux
-#     Machine:   NCEP WCOSS
-#
-#########################################################################
-
-VERBOSE=${VERBOSE:-"YES"}
-if test "$VERBOSE" = "YES"
-then
-  set -x
-fi
-
-RUN=${RUN:-"gfs"}
-
-export PACKAGEROOT=${PACKAGEROOT:-/lfs/h1/ops/prod/packages}
-export HOMEgfs=${HOMEgfs:-${PACKAGEROOT}/gfs.${gfs_ver:?}}
-export USHgfs=${USHgfs:-$HOMEgfs/ush}
-export FIXgfs=${FIXgfs:-$HOMEgfs/fix}
-export EXECgfs=${EXECgfs:-$HOMEgfs/exec}
-
-# output com directory.
-export COMOUT=${COMOUT:-$PWD}
-export COMINgfs_m6hrs=${COMINgfs_m6hrs:-$PWD}
-
-# working directory
-export DATA=${DATA:-$PWD}
-if [ ! -d $DATA ]; then
-  mkdir -p $DATA
-fi
-cd $DATA
-
-# copy output data to com directory?
-export SENDCOM=${SENDCOM:-"NO"}
-
-#-----------------------------------------------------------------------
-# The "err_exit" utility is only used in ncep ops
-# when the "prod_util" module is loaded. 
-#-----------------------------------------------------------------------
-
-use_prod_util=`echo $UTILROOT`
-if ((${#use_prod_util} != 0)); then
-  use_prod_util="true"
-else
-  use_prod_util="false"
-fi
-
-#-----------------------------------------------------------------------
-# the input data for emcsfc_ice_blend and emcsfc_snow2mdl programs.
-#-----------------------------------------------------------------------
-
-# afwa snow depth data (grib 2)
-export AFWA_GLOBAL_FILE=${AFWA_GLOBAL_FILE:-"snow.usaf.grib2"}
-
-# ims snow cover and ice cover data (grib 1 or grib 2)
-export IMS_FILE=${IMS_FILE:-"ims.grib2"} 
-
-# global 5-minute ice concentration file (grib 2)
-export FIVE_MIN_ICE_FILE=${FIVE_MIN_ICE_FILE:-"seaice.5min.grib2"}
-
-# landmask file for global 5-minute data (grib 2)
-export FIVE_MIN_ICE_MASK_FILE=${FIVE_MIN_ICE_MASK_FILE:-${FIXgfs}/am/emcsfc_gland5min.grib2}
-
-# the output ice blend data (grib)
-export BLENDED_ICE_FILE=${BLENDED_ICE_FILE:-seaice.5min.blend}
-
-# the 6-hour old output ice blend data.
-export BLENDED_ICE_FILE_m6hrs=${BLENDED_ICE_FILE_m6hrs:-seaice.5min.blend.old}
-
-# the emcsfc_ice_blend executable
-export BLENDICEEXEC=${BLENDICEEXEC:-$EXECgfs/emcsfc_ice_blend}
-
-# standard output file
-export pgmout=${pgmout:-OUTPUT}
-
-#-----------------------------------------------------------------------
-# call utility script to create global ice blend data.
-#-----------------------------------------------------------------------
-
-echo "Create blended ice data."
-
-${USHgfs}/emcsfc_ice_blend.sh
-rc=$?
-
-#-----------------------------------------------------------------------
-# If there is a failure in the ice blend script, copy the 6-hr old file
-# to the current file.  The gfs/gdas can run with old ice data for
-# about a week.  Although not fatal, any errors must be
-# investigated.  
-#
-# If there is a failure in the ice blend script AND the 6-hour old file 
-# is not available as a backup, abort the script.  The global cycling
-# code can't run without an ice analysis.
-#-----------------------------------------------------------------------
-
-if ((rc != 0));then
-  if test "$SENDCOM" = "YES"
-  then
-    if [ -s $BLENDED_ICE_FILE_m6hrs ]; then
-      echo "Copy old ice blend file to current directory"
-      cp $BLENDED_ICE_FILE_m6hrs $COMOUT/$BLENDED_ICE_FILE
-    else
-      echo "FATAL ERROR: CURRENT AND 6-HR OLD ICE FILE MISSING"
-      if test "$use_prod_util" = "true" ; then
-        err_exit
-      else
-        exit 7
-      fi 
-    fi
-  else
-    exit 7
-  fi  # SENDCOM check
-fi  # return code check
-
-#-----------------------------------------------------------------------
-# now create global snow depth data for full-res gaussian grid
-# and (if a gdas run) enkf gaussian grid.
-#-----------------------------------------------------------------------
-
-export SNOW2MDLEXEC=${EXECgfs}/emcsfc_snow2mdl
-
-JCAP=${JCAP:-"1534"}
-LONB=${LONB:-"3072"}
-LATB=${LATB:-"1536"}
-
-resolution="${JCAP}.${LONB}.${LATB}"
-
-export MODEL_SLMASK_FILE=${SLMASK:-${FIXgfs}/am/global_slmask.t${resolution}.grb}
-export MODEL_LATITUDE_FILE=${MDL_LATS:-${FIXgfs}/am/global_latitudes.t${resolution}.grb}
-export MODEL_LONGITUDE_FILE=${MDL_LONS:-${FIXgfs}/am/global_longitudes.t${resolution}.grb}
-export GFS_LONSPERLAT_FILE=${LONSPERLAT:-${FIXgfs}/am/global_lonsperlat.t${resolution}.txt}
-export MODEL_SNOW_FILE=${FNSNOAJCAP:-${RUN}.${cycle}.snogrb_t${resolution}}
-export MODEL_SNOW_FILE_m6hrs=${FNSNOGJCAP:-${COMINgfs_m6hrs}/${RUN}.${cycle_m6hrs}.snogrb_t${resolution}}
-
-echo "Create ${JCAP} snow data."
-
-${USHgfs}/emcsfc_snow.sh
-rc=$?
-
-#-----------------------------------------------------------------------
-# If there was a failure in the emcsfc_snow script, copy the 6-hr old
-# snow file to the current file.  The gfs/gdas can run with old snow data 
-# for a day or two at most.   So while not fatal, any errors must be
-# investigated.
-#
-# If there is a failure in the emcsfc_snow script AND the 6-hour old 
-# snow file is not available as a backup, abort the script.  The 
-# global cycling can't run without an snow analysis.
-#-----------------------------------------------------------------------
-
-if ((rc != 0)); then
-  if test "$SENDCOM" = "YES"
-  then
-    if [ -s $MODEL_SNOW_FILE_m6hrs ]; then
-      echo "COPY OLD ${JCAP} SNOW FILE TO CURRENT DIRECTORY"
-      cp $MODEL_SNOW_FILE_m6hrs $COMOUT/$MODEL_SNOW_FILE
-    else
-      echo "FATAL ERROR: CURRENT AND 6-HR OLD ${JCAP} SNOW MISSING"
-      if test "$use_prod_util" = "true" ; then
-        err_exit
-      else
-        exit 8
-      fi 
-    fi  # check of missing 6-hr snow file
-  else
-    exit 8
-  fi  # SENDCOM check
-fi  # return code check
-
-#-----------------------------------------------------------------------
-# The GFS step does not run the enkf stuff.  So there is no need to 
-# create an enkf snow file.
-#-----------------------------------------------------------------------
-
-if test "$RUN" = "gfs"
-then
-  exit 0
-fi
-
-JCAP_ENKF=${JCAP_ENKF:-"574"}
-LONB_ENKF=${LONB_ENKF:-"1152"}
-LATB_ENKF=${LATB_ENKF:-"576"}
-
-resolution="${JCAP_ENKF}.${LONB_ENKF}.${LATB_ENKF}"
-
-export MODEL_SLMASK_FILE=${SLMASK_ENKF:-${FIXgfs}/am/global_slmask.t${resolution}.grb}
-export MODEL_LATITUDE_FILE=${MDL_LATS_ENKF:-${FIXgfs}/am/global_latitudes.t${resolution}.grb}
-export MODEL_LONGITUDE_FILE=${MDL_LONS_ENKF:-${FIXgfs}/am/global_longitudes.t${resolution}.grb}
-export GFS_LONSPERLAT_FILE=${LONSPERLAT_ENKF:-${FIXgfs}/am/global_lonsperlat.t${resolution}.txt}
-export MODEL_SNOW_FILE=${FNSNOAJCAP_ENKF:-${RUN}.${cycle}.snogrb_t${resolution}}
-export MODEL_SNOW_FILE_m6hrs=${FNSNOGJCAP_ENKF:-${COMINgfs_m6hrs}/${RUN}.${cycle_m6hrs}.snogrb_t${resolution}}
-
-echo "Create enkf snow data."
-
-${USHgfs}/emcsfc_snow.sh
-rc=$?
-
-#-----------------------------------------------------------------------
-# Check for errors creating enkf snow.  Use 6-hour old data 
-# as backup.  If old data not available, abort.
-#-----------------------------------------------------------------------
-
-if ((rc != 0)); then
-  if test "$SENDCOM" = "YES"
-  then
-    if [ -s $MODEL_SNOW_FILE_m6hrs ]; then
-      echo "COPY OLD ENKF SNOW FILE TO CURRENT DIRECTORY"
-      cp $MODEL_SNOW_FILE_m6hrs $COMOUT/$MODEL_SNOW_FILE
-    else
-      echo "FATAL ERROR: CURRENT AND 6-HR OLD ENKF SNOW MISSING"
-      if test "$use_prod_util" = "true" ; then
-        err_exit
-      else
-        exit 9
-      fi 
-    fi  # check of missing 6-hr snow file
-  else
-    exit 9
-  fi  # SENDCOM check
-fi  # return code check
-
-exit 0
diff --git a/ush/atparse.bash b/ush/atparse.bash
new file mode 100755
index 000000000..5e0e8985d
--- /dev/null
+++ b/ush/atparse.bash
@@ -0,0 +1,126 @@
+#! /usr/bin/env bash
+function atparse {
+    # Usage:
+    #     source atparse.bash # defines the "atparse" function; only do this once
+    #     atparse [ var1=value1 [ var2=value2 [...] ] ] < input_file > output_file
+    # This function filters text from stdin to stdout. It scans for text sequences like:
+    #    @[varname]
+    # And replaces them with the value of the corresponding ${varname} variable.
+    # You can provide variables that are not set in bash by providing them on the command line.
+    # If set -u is enabled, it will exit the process when a variable is empty or undefined via set -u.
+
+    # Use __ in names to avoid clashing with variables in {var} blocks.
+    local __text # current line of text being parsed, or the current command-line argument being parsed
+    local __before # all text before the next @[...] option
+    local __after # all text after the next @[...] option
+    local __during # the contents of the @[...] option, including the @[ and ]
+    local __set_x=":" # will be "set -x" if the calling script had that option enabled
+    local __set_u=":" # will be "set -u" if the calling script had that option enabled
+    local __set_e=":" # will be "set -e" if the calling script had that option enabled
+    local __abort_on_undefined=NO # YES = script should abort if a variable is undefined, NO otherwise
+
+    # Ensure "set -x -e -u" are all inactive, but remember if they
+    # were active so we can reset them later.
+    if [[ -o xtrace ]] ; then
+        __set_x="set -x"
+    fi
+    if [[ -o errexit ]] ; then
+        __set_e="set -e"
+    fi
+    if [[ -o nounset ]] ; then
+        __set_u="set -u"
+        __abort_on_undefined=YES
+    fi
+    set +eux
+
+    # Allow setting variables on the atparse command line rather than the environment.
+    # They will be local variables in this function.
+    for __text in "$@" ; do
+        if [[ $__text =~ ^([a-zA-Z][a-zA-Z0-9_]*)=(.*)$ ]] ; then
+            eval "local ${BASH_REMATCH[1]}"
+            eval "${BASH_REMATCH[1]}="'"${BASH_REMATCH[2]}"'
+        else
+            echo "ERROR: Ignoring invalid argument $__text" 1>&2
+        fi
+    done
+
+    # Loop over all lines of text.
+    while [[ 1 == 1 ]] ; do
+        # Read the next line of text. This will "fail" if no more text
+        # is left OR if the last line lacks an end-of-line character.
+        read -d '' -r __text
+
+        # Stop when "read" reports it is done ($? -ne 0) AND the text is
+        # non-empty (! -n "$__text"). This ensures we read the final line
+        # even if it lacks an end-of-line character.
+        if [[ $? -ne 0 ]] ; then
+            if [[ -n "$__text" ]] ; then
+                # Text remained, but it had no end-of-line.
+                :
+            else
+                break
+            fi
+        fi
+        # Search for strings like @[varname] or @['string'] or @[@]
+        while [[ "$__text" =~ ^([^@]*)(@\[[a-zA-Z_][a-zA-Z_0-9]*\]|@\[\'[^\']*\'\]|@\[@\]|@)(.*) ]] ; do
+            __before="${BASH_REMATCH[1]}"
+            __during="${BASH_REMATCH[2]}"
+            __after="${BASH_REMATCH[3]}"
+            printf %s "$__before"
+            # @['string'] inserts string
+            if [[ "$__during" =~ ^@\[\'(.*)\'\]$ ]] ; then
+                printf %s "${BASH_REMATCH[1]}"
+            # @[@] inserts @
+            elif [[ "$__during" == '@[@]' ]] ; then
+                printf @
+            # @[varname] inserts $varname
+            elif [[ "$__during" =~ ^@\[([a-zA-Z_][a-zA-Z_0-9]*)\] ]] ; then
+                # Flag unknown variables at this step only.
+                if [[ ${__abort_on_undefined} == YES ]] ; then
+                    set -u
+                fi
+                eval 'printf %s "$'"${BASH_REMATCH[1]}"'"'
+                if [[ ${__abort_on_undefined} == YES ]] ; then
+                    set +u
+                fi
+            # Unrecognized sequences are inserted verbatim.
+            else
+                printf '%s' "$__during"
+            fi
+            # Continue until we run out of text in this line.
+            if [[ "$__after" == "$__text" ]] ; then
+                break
+            fi
+            __text="$__after"
+        done
+        # Print the corrected text
+        printf '%s\n' "$__text"
+    done
+
+    # Restore the calling script's shell options.
+    eval "$__set_x"
+    eval "$__set_u"
+    eval "$__set_e"
+}
+
+function test_atparse {
+    # Note that these cannot be local since they will be invisible
+    # to atparse:
+    testvar='[testvar]'
+    var1='[var1]'
+    var2='[var2]'
+    var4='[var4]'
+    ( cat<<\EOF ; echo -n "line with no end-of-line character [var4] = @[var4]" ) | atparse var3='**'
+Nothing special here. = @['Nothing special here.']
+[testvar] = @[testvar]
+[var1] [var2] = @[var1] @[var2]
+** = @[var3]
+[var4] == @[var4]
+@ = @[@] = @['@']
+@[undefined_variable_that_should_exit_script_if_set_minus_u_is_used]
+-n
+ eval "export PE$c=\${PE$c:-0}" = @[' eval "export PE$c=\${PE$c:-0}"']
+EOF
+    echo " ... this text should be on the same line as the line with no end-of-line character"
+    echo "After block, \$var3 = \"$var3\" should be empty"
+}
diff --git a/ush/emcsfc_ice_blend.sh b/ush/emcsfc_ice_blend.sh
deleted file mode 100755
index 45fcbc632..000000000
--- a/ush/emcsfc_ice_blend.sh
+++ /dev/null
@@ -1,186 +0,0 @@
-#!/bin/bash
-
-####  UNIX Script Documentation Block ###################################
-#                      .                                             .
-# Script name:  emcsfc_ice_blend.sh
-# RFC Contact:  George Gayno
-# Abstract:  This script calls the emcsfc_ice_blend program to create 
-#    a global ice concentation from a blend of National Ice Center IMS data
-#    and EMC/MMAB 5-minute data.
-#
-# Script History Log:
-#    July  2014  Gayno   Initial version
-#    Oct   2014  Gayno   The emcsfc_ice_blend program was modified to
-#                        use all grib 2 for i/o.  Modify default 
-#                        filenames to use 'grib2' extension.
-#    Aug   2015  Gayno   Convert output blended ice file from
-#                        grib 2 to grib 1.  Bring up to NCO standards.
-#
-# Usage:
-#    Parameters:    [no arguments]
-#    Input Files:
-#      $IMS_FILE               - ims ice cover data (grib 1 or 2)
-#      $FIVE_MIN_ICE_FILE      - 5-minute global ice concentration (grib 2)
-#      $FIVE_MIN_ICE_MASK_FILE - land/sea mask of $FIVE_MIN_ICE_FILE
-#                                (grib 2)
-#    Output Files:
-#      $BLENDED_ICE_FILE - blended ice concentration file. program
-#                          produces grib 2.  script converts to
-#                          grib 1 expected by gfs.
-#
-# Condition codes:
-#      0 - normal termination
-#  non 0 - input data is missing or emcsfc_ice_blend program 
-#          terminated abnormally.
-#
-# Attributes:
-#     Language:  RedHat Linux
-#     Machine:   NCEP WCOSS
-#
-#########################################################################
-
-VERBOSE=${VERBOSE:-"YES"}
-if [[ "$VERBOSE" == YES ]]; then
-  set -x
-fi
- 
-#-----------------------------------------------------------------------
-# The "startmsg" and "prep_step" utilities are only
-# used in ncep ops when the "prod_util" module is loaded.
-#-----------------------------------------------------------------------
-
-use_prod_util=`echo $UTILROOT`
-if ((${#use_prod_util} != 0)); then
-  use_prod_util="true"
-else
-  use_prod_util="false"
-fi
-
-export pgm=emcsfc_ice_blend
-if test "$use_prod_util" = "true" ; then
-  startmsg
-fi
-
-#------------------------------------------------------------------------
-# working directory
-#------------------------------------------------------------------------
-
-DATA=${DATA:-$PWD}
-if [ ! -d $DATA ]; then
-  mkdir -p $DATA
-fi
-cd $DATA
-
-#------------------------------------------------------------------------
-# set up script variables
-#------------------------------------------------------------------------
-
-# copy output ice blend data to com?
-SENDCOM=${SENDCOM:-"NO"}
-
-PACKAGEROOT=${PACKAGEROOT:-/lfs/h1/ops/prod/packages}
-HOMEgfs=${HOMEgfs:-$PACKAGEROOT/gfs.${gfs_ver:?}}
-EXECgfs=${EXECgfs:-$HOMEgfs/exec}
-FIXgfs=${FIXgfs:-$HOMEgfs/fix}
-
-# output com directory.
-COMOUT=${COMOUT:-$PWD}
-
-# the input data.  ims may be grib1 or grib2.  five_min files are grib 2.
-IMS_FILE=${IMS_FILE:-"ims.grib2"} 
-FIVE_MIN_ICE_FILE=${FIVE_MIN_ICE_FILE:-"seaice.5min.grib2"} 
-FIVE_MIN_ICE_MASK_FILE=${FIVE_MIN_ICE_MASK_FILE:-${FIXgfs}/am/emcsfc_gland5min.grib2}
-
-# the output ice blend data (grib)
-BLENDED_ICE_FILE=${BLENDED_ICE_FILE:-seaice.5min.blend}
- 
-# the program executable
-BLENDICEEXEC=${BLENDICEEXEC:-$EXECgfs/emcsfc_ice_blend}
- 
-# standard output file
-pgmout=${pgmout:-OUTPUT}
-
-#------------------------------------------------------------------------
-# Interpolate ims data to ncep grid 173 (the grid used by mmab 5-minute ice data).
-# If ims is grib1 format, convert to grib2.  If ims data is missing, then
-# don't run ice blend program.  Copy old blended data to current directory.
-#------------------------------------------------------------------------
-
-if [ -f "${IMS_FILE}" ]
-then
-  $WGRIB2 -Sec0 ${IMS_FILE} 2>&1 | grep "grib1 message"
-  status=$?
-  if (( status == 0 )); then
-    $CNVGRIB -g12 -p40 ${IMS_FILE} ./ims.grib2
-  else 
-    cp ${IMS_FILE} ./ims.grib2
-  fi
-  $WGRIB2 ims.grib2 -match "ICEC" -grib ims.icec.grib2
-  grid173="0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 4320 2160 0 0 89958000 42000 48 -89958000 359958000 83000 83000 0"
-  $COPYGB2 -x -i3 -g "$grid173" ims.icec.grib2 ims.icec.5min.grib2
-else
-  echo "WARNING in ${pgm}: IMS ice data missing. Can not run program."
-  exit 3
-fi
-
-#------------------------------------------------------------------------
-# Does EMC/MMAB 5-minute ice data exist?  If not, don't run ice blend 
-# program.  Copy old blended data to current directory.
-#------------------------------------------------------------------------
-
-if [ ! -f ${FIVE_MIN_ICE_FILE} ]
-then
-  echo "WARNING in ${pgm}: MMAB ice data missing. Can not run program."
-  exit 5
-fi
-
-#------------------------------------------------------------------------
-# Run program to blend data.
-#------------------------------------------------------------------------
-
-if test "$use_prod_util" = "true" ; then
-  . prep_step
-fi
-
-# These are input files.
-export FORT17="$FIVE_MIN_ICE_MASK_FILE"
-export FORT11="ims.icec.5min.grib2"
-export FORT15="$FIVE_MIN_ICE_FILE"
-
-# This is the output blended file
-export FORT51="$BLENDED_ICE_FILE"
-
-$BLENDICEEXEC >> $pgmout 2> errfile
-rc=$?
-
-#------------------------------------------------------------------------
-# Did program run without error?  
-#
-# If no, copy old blended ice file to current directory.
-#
-# If yes, convert file from grib 2 to grib 1 expected by gfs as
-# follows:
-#    - use wgrib 2 to set corner point longitude to 0.042 degrees
-#      to prevent round-off error during the cnvgrib step.
-#    - use cnvgrib to convert from grib2 to grib 1.
-#    - use copygb to replace bitmap with '1.57' land flag value
-#      expected by global cycle program.
-#------------------------------------------------------------------------
-
-if (( rc != 0 ))
-then
-  echo "WARNING: ${pgm} completed abnormally."
-  exit $rc
-else
-  $WGRIB2 -set_int 3 51 42000 ${BLENDED_ICE_FILE} -grib ${BLENDED_ICE_FILE}.corner
-  $CNVGRIB -g21 ${BLENDED_ICE_FILE}.corner ${BLENDED_ICE_FILE}.bitmap
-  rm $BLENDED_ICE_FILE
-  $COPYGB -M "#1.57" -x ${BLENDED_ICE_FILE}.bitmap $BLENDED_ICE_FILE
-  echo "${pgm} completed normally."
-  if [ "$SENDCOM" = "YES" ] ; then
-    cp $BLENDED_ICE_FILE $COMOUT
-  fi
-  rm -f ${BLENDED_ICE_FILE}.corner ${BLENDED_ICE_FILE}.bitmap
-fi
-
-exit 0
diff --git a/ush/emcsfc_snow.sh b/ush/emcsfc_snow.sh
deleted file mode 100755
index d86d03cdf..000000000
--- a/ush/emcsfc_snow.sh
+++ /dev/null
@@ -1,256 +0,0 @@
-#!/bin/bash
-
-####  UNIX Script Documentation Block ###################################
-#                      .                                             .
-# Script name:  emcsfc_snow.sh
-# RFC Contact:  George Gayno
-# Abstract:  This script calls the emcsfc_snow2mdl program to create a 
-#    model snow analysis from IMS snow cover and AFWA snow depth data.
-#
-# Script History Log:
-#    07/2014  Gayno   Initial version
-#    12/2014  Gayno   Use grib 2 version of snow cover climo file.
-#                     Add $OUTPUT_GRIB2 environment variable to 
-#                     control whether model analysis is grib 1 or
-#                     grib 2.
-#    08/2015  Gayno   Bring up to current NCO standard.
-# 
-# Usage:
-#  Parameters:   < no arguments >
-#  Input files:
-#    $GFS_LONSPERLAT_FILE  - definition of gfs reduced grid (text)
-#    $MODEL_SLMASK_FILE    - model landmask  (grib 1 or 2)
-#    $MODEL_LATITUDE_FILE  - model latitude  (grib 1 or 2)
-#    $MODEL_LONGITUDE_FILE - model longitude (grib 1 or 2)
-#    $AFWA_GLOBAL_FILE     - global afwa snow data (grib 2)
-#    $IMS_FILE             - nh ims snow cover data (grib 2)
-#    $CLIMO_QC             - nh climatological snow cover (grib 2)
-#    fort.41               - program configuration namelist
-#  Output files:
-#    $MODEL_SNOW_FILE      - output snow analysis on model grid (grib 1 or 2)
-#
-# Condition codes:
-#  0       - normal termination
-#  non 0   - indicates missing or corrupt input data
-#            or a problem in emcsfc_snow2mdl execution.
-#
-# If a non-zero status occurs, no model snow analysis will be created.
-# This is not fatal to the model executation.  But any problems should
-# be investigated.
-#
-# Attributes:
-#     Language:  RedHat Linux
-#     Machine:   NCEP WCOSS
-#
-#########################################################################
-
-VERBOSE=${VERBOSE:-"YES"}
-if [[ "$VERBOSE" == YES ]]; then
-  set -x
-fi
-
-#-----------------------------------------------------------------------
-# The "startmsg" and "prep_step" utilities are only
-# used in ncep ops when the "prod_util" module is loaded.
-#-----------------------------------------------------------------------
-
-use_prod_util=`echo $UTILROOT`
-if ((${#use_prod_util} != 0)); then
-  use_prod_util="true"
-else
-  use_prod_util="false"
-fi
-
-export pgm=emcsfc_snow2mdl
-if test "$use_prod_util" = "true" ; then
-  startmsg
-fi
-
-#------------------------------------------------------------------------
-# Path names
-#------------------------------------------------------------------------
-
-PACKAGEROOT=${PACKAGEROOT:-/lfs/h1/ops/prod/packages}
-HOMEgfs=${HOMEgfs:-$PACKAGEROOT/gfs.${gfs_ver:?}}
-EXECgfs=${EXECgfs:-$HOMEgfs/exec}
-FIXgfs=${FIXgfs:-$HOMEgfs/fix}
-
-COMOUT=${COMOUT:-$PWD}
-
-#------------------------------------------------------------------------
-# The snow2mdl executable
-#------------------------------------------------------------------------
-
-SNOW2MDLEXEC=${SNOW2MDLEXEC:-${EXECgfs}/emcsfc_snow2mdl}
-
-#------------------------------------------------------------------------
-# Fixed files that describe the model grid: landmask, latitudes/longitudes.
-# And for gfs only, the definition of the reduced grid (lonsperlat).
-# The lonsperlat file is optional.  If not chosen, will create gfs
-# snow analysis on the 'full' grid.
-#------------------------------------------------------------------------
-
-MODEL_SLMASK_FILE=${MODEL_SLMASK_FILE:-global_slmask.t1534.3072.1536.grb}
-MODEL_LATITUDE_FILE=${MODEL_LATITUDE_FILE:-global_latitudes.t1534.3072.1536.grb}
-MODEL_LONGITUDE_FILE=${MODEL_LONGITUDE_FILE:-global_longitudes.t1534.3072.1536.grb}
-GFS_LONSPERLAT_FILE=${GFS_LONSPERLAT_FILE:-global_lonsperlat.t1534.3072.1536.txt}
-
-#------------------------------------------------------------------------
-# Input snow data.  ims snow cover and afwa snow depth. ims is NH only.
-# AFWA is global.
-#------------------------------------------------------------------------
-
-AFWA_GLOBAL_FILE=${AFWA_GLOBAL_FILE:-"snow.usaf.grib2"}
-IMS_FILE=${IMS_FILE:-"imssnow96.grb.grib2"}
-
-#------------------------------------------------------------------------
-# File of snow cover climo used to qc the input snow data
-#------------------------------------------------------------------------
-
-CLIMO_QC=${CLIMO_QC:-${FIXgfs}/am/emcsfc_snow_cover_climo.grib2}
-
-#------------------------------------------------------------------------
-# Output snow analysis on model grid
-#------------------------------------------------------------------------
-
-MODEL_SNOW_FILE=${MODEL_SNOW_FILE:-"snogrb_model"}
-OUTPUT_GRIB2=${OUTPUT_GRIB2:-.false.}  # grib 1 when false.
-
-SENDCOM=${SENDCOM:-NO}
-
-#------------------------------------------------------------------------
-# working directory
-#------------------------------------------------------------------------
-
-DATA=${DATA:-$(pwd)}
-if [ ! -d $DATA ]; then
-  mkdir -p $DATA
-fi
-cd $DATA
-
-#------------------------------------------------------------------------
-# Do a quick check of the ims data to ensure it exists and is
-# not corrupt.
-#------------------------------------------------------------------------
-
-if [[ ! -f $IMS_FILE ]]; then
-  set +x
-  echo "WARNING: ${pgm} detects missing ims data. Will not run."
-  set -x
-  exit 7
-fi
-
-#------------------------------------------------------------------------
-# The model analysis time is set to the ims valid time, because the
-# ims data has highest priority of all input data.
-#------------------------------------------------------------------------
-
-$WGRIB2 -d 1 ${IMS_FILE}
-status=$?
-if (( status != 0 )); then
-  set +x
-  echo "WARNING: ${pgm} detects corrupt ims data. Will not run."
-  set -x
-  exit 9
-else
-  tempdate=$($WGRIB2 -t $IMS_FILE | head -1)
-  IMSDATE=${tempdate#*d=}
-fi
-IMSDATE10=$(echo $IMSDATE|cut -c1-10)
-IMSYEAR=$(echo $IMSDATE10 | cut -c1-4)
-IMSMONTH=$(echo $IMSDATE10 | cut -c5-6)
-IMSDAY=$(echo $IMSDATE10 | cut -c7-8)
-IMSHOUR=0   # emc convention is to use 00Z.
-
-#------------------------------------------------------------------------
-# Ensure AFWA data exists and is not too old.
-#------------------------------------------------------------------------
-
-if [[ ! -f $AFWA_GLOBAL_FILE ]]; then
-  set +x
-  echo "WARNING: ${pgm} detects missing afwa data. Will not run."
-  set -x
-  exit 3
-else
-  $WGRIB2 -d 1 $AFWA_GLOBAL_FILE
-  status=$?
-  if ((status != 0));then
-    set +x
-    echo "WARNING: ${pgm} detects corrupt afwa data. Will not run."
-    set -x
-    exit $status
-  else
-    tempdate=$($WGRIB2 -d 1 -t $AFWA_GLOBAL_FILE)
-    AFWADATE=${tempdate#*d=}
-    two_days_ago=$($NDATE -48 $IMSDATE10)
-    if ((AFWADATE < two_days_ago)); then
-      set +x
-      echo "WARNING: ${pgm} detects old afwa data. Will not run."
-      set -x
-      exit 4
-    fi
-  fi
-fi
-
-pgmout=${pgmout:-OUTPUT}
-
-if test "$use_prod_util" = "true" ; then
-  . prep_step
-fi
-
-rm -f ./fort.41
-cat > ./fort.41 << !
- &source_data
-  autosnow_file=""
-  nesdis_snow_file="${IMS_FILE}"
-  nesdis_lsmask_file=""
-  afwa_snow_global_file="${AFWA_GLOBAL_FILE}"
-  afwa_snow_nh_file=""
-  afwa_snow_sh_file=""
-  afwa_lsmask_nh_file=""
-  afwa_lsmask_sh_file=""
- /
- &qc
-  climo_qc_file="${CLIMO_QC}"
- /
- &model_specs
-  model_lat_file="${MODEL_LATITUDE_FILE}"
-  model_lon_file="${MODEL_LONGITUDE_FILE}"
-  model_lsmask_file="${MODEL_SLMASK_FILE}"
-  gfs_lpl_file="${GFS_LONSPERLAT_FILE}"
-  /
- &output_data
-  model_snow_file="./${MODEL_SNOW_FILE}"
-  output_grib2=${OUTPUT_GRIB2}
- /
- &output_grib_time
-  grib_year=${IMSYEAR}
-  grib_month=${IMSMONTH}
-  grib_day=${IMSDAY}
-  grib_hour=${IMSHOUR}
- /
- &parameters
-  lat_threshold=55.0
-  min_snow_depth=0.05
-  snow_cvr_threshold=50.0
- /
-!
-
-eval $SNOW2MDLEXEC  >> $pgmout 2> errfile
-rc2=$?
-
-if ((rc2 != 0));then 
-  echo "WARNING: ${pgm} completed abnormally."
-  exit $rc2
-else
-  echo "${pgm} completed normally."
-  if test "$SENDCOM" = "YES"
-  then
-    cp $MODEL_SNOW_FILE  $COMOUT
-    rm -f $MODEL_SNOW_FILE
-  fi
-fi
-
-rm -f ./fort.41
-
-exit 0