01-06-2010: EC-Earth: a seamless prediction system in action

A publication has been accepted for the Bulletin of the American Meteorological Society (BAMS) describing the EC-Earth model, project and consortium. EC-Earth follows a seamless prediction strategy in which a well tested weather and seasonal forecast model is used for longer time scale predictions and projections. The model is based on the seasonal forecast system of ECMWF. By linking with developments at ECMWF the model stays up to data with the most recent physical parameterizations. The consortium that develops and uses the model consists of 20 partners from 10 countries in Europe. The model provides a platform to the European research community to test new earth system components in a consistent manner. The model appears to perform well on weather time scales (predictions up to a week), interannual time scales (good representation of El Nino) and climate time scales (good representation of mean climate). The model will be used for coordinated model intercomparison projects (CMIP5, CFMIP, PMIP) which are expected to inform the 5th Assessment of IPCC.