diff --git a/src/core_init_atmosphere/mpas_init_atm_cases.F b/src/core_init_atmosphere/mpas_init_atm_cases.F
index 7d43b5ee83..e1e04caeba 100644
--- a/src/core_init_atmosphere/mpas_init_atm_cases.F
+++ b/src/core_init_atmosphere/mpas_init_atm_cases.F
@@ -3469,7 +3469,8 @@ subroutine init_atm_case_gfs(block, mesh, nCells, nEdges, nVertLevels, fg, state
 
       do while (istatus == 0)
 
-         interp_list(1) = FOUR_POINT
+         ! interp_list(1) = FOUR_POINT
+         interp_list(1) = SIXTEEN_POINT
          interp_list(2) = SEARCH
          interp_list(3) = 0
 
@@ -5261,7 +5262,8 @@ subroutine init_atm_case_lbc(timestamp, block, mesh, nCells, nEdges, nVertLevels
 
       do while (istatus == 0)
 
-         interp_list(1) = FOUR_POINT
+         ! interp_list(1) = FOUR_POINT
+         interp_list(1) = SIXTEEN_POINT
          interp_list(2) = SEARCH
          interp_list(3) = 0