An ESMF framework for NCEP operational models

A software framework shared by the forecast component of the Global Forecast System (GFS) and the new Arakawa B-grid version of the Nonhydrostatic Mesoscale Model (NMM-B) is under development at NCEP. It is based on the Earth System Modeling Framework (ESMF) and currently consists of an atmospheric ESMF gridded component lying over three subcomponents: (i) the dynamics; (ii) the physics; (iii) the dynamics-physics coupler. An I/O subcomponent is being prepared and additional subcomponents will be attached as necessary. In addition an ESMF coupler is being used in the GFS Ensemble system to couple N independent concurrent runs. Collaboration with other NOAA organizations on further development of this framework is beginning.