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GEMPAK users, GEMPAK version 5.9.3 is now available for download from the Unidata/GEMPAK web portal. A list of new features can be found under the what's new section of the current GEMPAK release information. Additional details are provided in the WhatsNew help file available through the NMAP2 help button or the $GEMHLP/hlp/WhatsNew.hlp file. Of particular note is the change to dcgrib2 to store GRIB2 bulletins without unpacking. This change requires that programs reading GRIB2 data decoded by dcgrib2 be upgraded to v5.9.3 as well. Note that this change does not affect decoding of GRIB1 bulletins, nor does it affect GRIB2 products decoded by nagrib2 at this time. Developers should note the architectural changes to the GEMPAK grid library routines planned for the 5.9.4 release. A list of depricated routines as well as instructions for migrating to the new grid library interface implemented in GEMPAK 5.8.1 is provided. It is important that locally developed programs which link to the GEMPAK library for grid access be updated to the current method of grid file access by the next release. The changes being implemented to the GEMPAK grid library routines will make GEMPAK more extensible in the future. Please refer any questions to address@hidden. Steve Chiswell Unidata User Support