diff --git a/tests/WE2E/test_configs/custom_grids/config.custom_ESGgrid_SF_1p1km.yaml b/tests/WE2E/test_configs/custom_grids/config.custom_ESGgrid_SF_1p1km.yaml
index 7e926f617c..6d9e2e0d6d 100644
--- a/tests/WE2E/test_configs/custom_grids/config.custom_ESGgrid_SF_1p1km.yaml
+++ b/tests/WE2E/test_configs/custom_grids/config.custom_ESGgrid_SF_1p1km.yaml
@@ -8,8 +8,8 @@ user:
 workflow:
   CCPP_PHYS_SUITE: FV3_WoFS_v0
   GRID_GEN_METHOD: ESGgrid
-  DATE_FIRST_CYCL: '2019061500'
-  DATE_LAST_CYCL: '2019061500'
+  DATE_FIRST_CYCL: '2020080100'
+  DATE_LAST_CYCL: '2020080100'
   FCST_LEN_HRS: 6
   PREEXISTING_DIR_METHOD: rename
 task_make_grid:
@@ -24,10 +24,14 @@ task_make_grid:
 task_get_extrn_ics:
   EXTRN_MDL_NAME_ICS: HRRR
   USE_USER_STAGED_EXTRN_FILES: true
+  EXTRN_MDL_FILES_ICS:
+    - '{yy}{jjj}{hh}00{fcst_hr:02d}00'
 task_get_extrn_lbcs:
   EXTRN_MDL_NAME_LBCS: RAP
   LBC_SPEC_INTVL_HRS: 3
   USE_USER_STAGED_EXTRN_FILES: true
+  EXTRN_MDL_FILES_LBCS:
+    - '{yy}{jjj}{hh}00{fcst_hr:02d}00'
 task_run_fcst:
   DT_ATMOS: 15
   LAYOUT_X: 24