oceanlove

 ECMWF’s next model upgrade to provide better initial conditions for weather forecasts Cycle 48r1 of ECMWF’s Integrated Forecasting System (IFS), which is to become operational this summer, will include extensive changes to the way the initial conditions of weather forecasts are established. The new cycle will make better ’all-surface’ use of satellite microwave observations. The data obtained will be added to the many weather observations that help us to establish the initial conditions of weather forecasts through  data assimilation . The upgrade represents a significant improvement in the  use of satellite observations  at ECMWF. Other changes to the data assimilation system to be implemented in Cycle 48r1 include an increase in the resolution of the  4D-Var system  used for the atmosphere, and a move to a new software layer called OOPS (Object-Oriented Prediction System). ‘All-surface’ satellite observations The upgrade targets surface-sensitive microwa...