The UKC2 regional coupled environmental prediction system

Bibliographic Details
Title: The UKC2 regional coupled environmental prediction system
Authors: H. W. Lewis, J. M. Castillo Sanchez, J. Graham, A. Saulter, J. Bornemann, A. Arnold, J. Fallmann, C. Harris, D. Pearson, S. Ramsdale, A. Martínez-de la Torre, L. Bricheno, E. Blyth, V. A. Bell, H. Davies, T. R. Marthews, C. O'Neill, H. Rumbold, E. O'Dea, A. Brereton, K. Guihou, A. Hines, M. Butenschon, S. J. Dadson, T. Palmer, J. Holt, N. Reynard, M. Best, J. Edwards, J. Siddorn
Source: Geoscientific Model Development, Vol 11, Pp 1-42 (2018)
Publisher Information: Copernicus Publications, 2018.
Publication Year: 2018
Collection: LCC:Geology
Subject Terms: Geology, QE1-996.5
More Details: It is hypothesized that more accurate prediction and warning of natural hazards, such as of the impacts of severe weather mediated through various components of the environment, require a more integrated Earth System approach to forecasting. This hypothesis can be explored using regional coupled prediction systems, in which the known interactions and feedbacks between different physical and biogeochemical components of the environment across sky, sea and land can be simulated. Such systems are becoming increasingly common research tools. This paper describes the development of the UKC2 regional coupled research system, which has been delivered under the UK Environmental Prediction Prototype project. This provides the first implementation of an atmosphere–land–ocean–wave modelling system focussed on the United Kingdom and surrounding seas at km-scale resolution. The UKC2 coupled system incorporates models of the atmosphere (Met Office Unified Model), land surface with river routing (JULES), shelf-sea ocean (NEMO) and ocean waves (WAVEWATCH III). These components are coupled, via OASIS3-MCT libraries, at unprecedentedly high resolution across the UK within a north-western European regional domain. A research framework has been established to explore the representation of feedback processes in coupled and uncoupled modes, providing a new research tool for UK environmental science. This paper documents the technical design and implementation of UKC2, along with the associated evaluation framework. An analysis of new results comparing the output of the coupled UKC2 system with relevant forced control simulations for six contrasting case studies of 5-day duration is presented. Results demonstrate that performance can be achieved with the UKC2 system that is at least comparable to its component control simulations. For some cases, improvements in air temperature, sea surface temperature, wind speed, significant wave height and mean wave period highlight the potential benefits of coupling between environmental model components. Results also illustrate that the coupling itself is not sufficient to address all known model issues. Priorities for future development of the UK Environmental Prediction framework and component systems are discussed.
Document Type: article
File Description: electronic resource
Language: English
ISSN: 1991-959X
1991-9603
Relation: https://www.geosci-model-dev.net/11/1/2018/gmd-11-1-2018.pdf; https://doaj.org/toc/1991-959X; https://doaj.org/toc/1991-9603
DOI: 10.5194/gmd-11-1-2018
Access URL: https://doaj.org/article/46a9495747f4482bb257033c41e881f1
Accession Number: edsdoj.46a9495747f4482bb257033c41e881f1
Database: Directory of Open Access Journals
Full text is not displayed to guests.
More Details
ISSN:1991959X
19919603
DOI:10.5194/gmd-11-1-2018
Published in:Geoscientific Model Development
Language:English