4th WCRP International Conference on Reanalyses
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Venue: Silver Spring, Maryland, USA; May 7-11, 2012
Motivation: Atmospheric, oceanic and land retrospective analyses, “reanalyses”, have become fundamental tools for weather, ocean, hydrology and climate research. They continue to evolve from improvements in data assimilation, numerical modeling, and observation recovery and quality control, to become ultimately long-term climate/environmental records. Reanalyses are natural integrative tools, yet coupling the components of the Earth system in reanalyses remains to be a great challenge. Observations are the key resource in producing reanalyses and improvements in algorithms and quality control are still advancing. Additional challenges remain to account for model bias as new data are assimilated and the observation record evolves (e.g. new instruments replace old). These issues are especially important for using reanalyses in climate research. Extending the reanalysis record back in time is a fundamental need of the weather/climate research community. Considering these challenges, we plan to convene the 4th WCRP International Conference on Reanalysis with the objectives to:
1) Share understanding on the major challenges facing reanalyses: The changing observing system and Integrated Earth system
2) Assess the state of the disciplinary atmospheric, ocean and land reanalyses including the needs of the research community for weather, ocean, hydrology and climate
3) Review the new developments in the reanalyses, models and observations for study of the Earth System
4) Explore the international collaboration in reanalyses including their role in regional and global climate services
• The forum will foster communications between reanalysis development centers and the research community with a focus on the Earth system approach to reanalysis
• Enhanced collaboration of the international development centers
• Statement on the utility and need for reanalyses in weather, ocean, hydrology and climate studies for policy makers
• Identify potential new areas for applications of reanalysis products
• Promote greater use and evaluate strengths and weaknesses of reanalysis products