Synergistic and Collaborative Development Strategies for FV3 Powered Next Generation Unified Global Modeling System

The GFDL Finite-­Volume Cubed-Sphere Dynamical Core (FV3) is a scalable and flexible dynamical core capable of both hydrostatic and non-hydrostatic atmospheric simulations. FV3 has been chosen as the dynamical core for the Next Generation Global Prediction System project (NGGPS), designed to upgrade the current NCEP operational Global Forecast System (GFS) to run as a unified, fully-coupled system in NOAA’s Environmental Modeling System infrastructure. FV3 dynamic core has a long history of serving as the main engine for global atmospheric models at various Government and Academic Research Laboratories including NOAA GFDL Climate Modeling Suite (AM4, CM4 ESM4, HiRAM), NASA GMAO Goddard Earth Observing System Model (GEOS) and NCAR Community Earth System Model (CESM).

The three primary stakeholders in FV3 (GFDL, GMAO and EMC) have embarked on synergistic and collaborative strategies with focus on the advancement of non-hydrostratic dynamic core, physics, chemistry, and data assimilation efforts, leveraging collective strengths of each of the partnering agencies. This talk presents the ongoing plans for model advancements at GFDL, GMAO and EMC, with special emphasis on contributions towards developing community based unified global modeling system for operational and research applications at respective organizations.

Future plans include extending the collaborations to the development of earth system components including GMAO’s aerosol chemistry models (GOCART/MAM), Land Information System (LIS), and advanced data assimilation techniques; and GFDL’s Modular Ocean Model (MOM) and Sea Ice Simulator (SIS) for transition to operations at NCEP.