There are significant challenges associated with assessing the quality and informativeness of both models and data products that are largely related to scale, heterogeneity, complexity, and representativeness. These challenges compound when assessing spatially and temporally distributed model/data products. This session solicits contributions related to innovative methods for: (1) Assessing quality of model/data products, and (2) Assessing the fidelity of models of complex terrestrial hydrologic systems. The former might include methods for measuring or interpreting accuracy, precision, uncertainty, information content, reliability, observability, etc., while the latter recognizes that models are valuable beyond simply their ability to make accurate predictions. Related to the latter we encourage contributions on model diagnostics, identification, and benchmarking. We are particularly interested in benchmarking studies that focus on evaluating the performance of models using a priori metrics and expectations of performance. The use of novel techniques to assess distributed data or models that focus on impacts to and understanding of coupled land atmosphere and hydrometeorological processes and prediction is also encouraged. Please contact the program organizer, Mike Ek (Michael.Ek@noaa.gov), or the session chair, Sujay Kumar (Sujay.V.Kumar@nasa.gov) for additional information.