Arctic System Model Workshop

1
Arctic System Model Workshop

• Background and Objectives
• International Arctic Research Center
• Hosted by National Center for Atmospheric
  Research
• May 19-22, Boulder, CO

2
Background

• A wide variety of uncoupled and coupled modeling
  of the Arctic is ongoing in the community
• Coordination has the potential to advance the
  collective effort
• IARC has an interest in contributing to the
  coordination

3
Goals of an Arctic System Model

• To produce the best possible modeling system for
  the Arctic region
• -- to investigate Arctic climate variability
  and change
• -- to serve as a vehicle for improvements in
  global model
• simulations of the Arctic
• -- to synthesize and guide observations of
  the Arctic
• -- to advance assessments of impacts on
  ecosystems,
• humans and the global system
• from M.
  Holland, D. Lawrence, D. Bromwich

4
Workshop goal

• A report that presents a strategy and optimal way
  forward in modeling of the Arctic system
• -- a strategic and an implementation plan
  that will
• foster community buy-in and ultimately
• increase the resources available to
  enhance
• Arctic system modeling

5
Key questions for discussion

• Would Arctic system science benefit by an
  alignment of efforts toward a cohesive community
  arctic system model?
• If not a single community end-to-end coupled
  model, is a coordinated model portfolio a good
  way to proceed perhaps with the same coupling
  and archiving protocols?
• Are there science questions not being addressed
  at present that can be addressed by either of the
  above frameworks?
• How could a community effort benefit model
  intercomparisons?

6
Deliverable A workshop report that includes

• An assessment of what is already ongoing
• Alignment with global modeling activities

7
Deliverable A workshop report that includes

• An assessment of what is already ongoing
• Alignment with global modeling activities
• Is a community effort the best path to an ASM?
• -- model selection vs. modularity
• -- coupling strategy and implementation

8
Deliverable A workshop report that includes

• An assessment of what is already ongoing
• Alignment with global modeling activities
• Is a community effort the best path to an ASM?
• -- model selection vs. modularity
• -- coupling strategy and implementation
• Interactions with observational programs and
  systems
• Phased implementation
• -- target some early successes
• -- which components are best kept
  off-line?

9
Deliverable A workshop report that includes

• An assessment of what is already ongoing
• Alignment with global modeling activities
• Is a community effort the best path to an ASM?
• -- model selection vs. modularity
• -- coupling strategy and implementation
• Interactions with observational programs and
  systems
• Phased implementation
• -- target some early successes
• -- which components are best kept
  off-line?
• Coordination mechanisms
• IARCs role