CFMIP-2 News

CFMIP-2 Strategy and Plans

CMIP5 information

Meetings

CFMIP observational simulator package (COSP)

ISCCP simulator

CFMIP observational datasets (at IPSL)

CFMIP/GCSS Intercomparison of LES and SCMs (CGILS)


Lead Coordinator:
Mark Webb
Hadley Centre, Met Office, UK
mark.webb@metoffice.gov.uk		 Mat. Office Coordinator:
Sandrine Bony
Laboratoire de Météorologie Dynamique (LMD/IPSL), France
Sandrine.Bony@lmd.jussieu.fr		 Laboratoire de Météorologie Dynamique du C.N.R.S.
Coordinator:
George Tselioudis
NASA Goddard Institute for Space Studies, (USA)
gtselioudis@giss.nasa.gov		 Bureau of Meteorology Research Centre Coordinator:
Chris Bretherton
Department of Atmospheric Sciences, University of Washington, USA
breth@atmos.washington.edu
Coordinator:
Steve Klein
Program for Climate Model Diagnosis and Intercomparison, (USA)
klein21@llnl.gov		 Project Advisor:
Bryant McAvaney







News

This section contains announcements about the CFMIP project and website. Please email mark.webb@metoffice.gov.uk if you wish to add anything.

Public release of COSP v1.2.1

COSP Version 1.2.1 is now available.

This is a minor update, with a bug fix in the CALIPSO cloud fractions and three new MODIS diagnostics.

Alejandro Bodas-Salcedo January 2010

CGILS Meeting

(CFMIP-GCSS Intercomparison of Large-Eddy and Single-Column Models)

March 1-2, 2010 at Stony Brook, Long Island, New York (Meeting website)

The objective of this meeting is to understand the physical mechanism of cloud feedbacks in climate models that participate in the CGILS case study with the goal of interpreting climate sensitivities of AR5 models. Specifically, the meeting will focus on

(1) how the parameterized processes (PBL, stratiform, convective, radiative) behave and interact to produce clouds in the SCMs

(2) what are the physical mechanisms of cloud feedback in the individual SCMs

(3) what can be learned from the LESs

(4) how can the LES results be used to constrain SCMs

(5) how to extrapolate the CGILS results to cloud feedbacks and climate sensitivities of the GCMs

Each participating group has been invited to make presentations for an in-depth analysis of its CGILS results. The presentations will cover all three CGILS locations (shallow cumulus, stratocumulus and stratus, at locations s6, s11, s12) , although emphasis will be for location s11 where LES results are available.

The meeting is open to public, but only presentations related to the meeting objectives are invited. If you do not belong to a participating group and wish to make a presentation, please send an email to Minghua Zhang (mzhang@notes.cc.sunysb.edu).

Posted by Mark Webb on behalf of Minghua Zhang, Jan 2010

Public release of COSP v1.2 and orbital data for 2008

COSP Version 1.2 and orbital data are now available.

This is a major step towards CMIP5. It contains the versions of the ISCCP and CALIPSO/PARASOL simulators to be used in CMIP5 experiments. This version can be used to run in-line experiments. The main changes with respect to v1.1. is the use of CMOR2 for writing the outputs and the change of some variable names and units to comply with the CMIP5 requirements. Please see Section 5.6 of the README.txt file for more deta ils.

As the MIP tables are not frozen, we plan to make another release as soon as the final tables are released and tested. This new version may include some changes to the CloudSat simulator to facilitate the implementation of the microphysical settings for each model.

The file cloudsat_orbit_08921_14250.nc.gz contains the CloudSat orbit data for the granules 8921-14250 (last granule of 2007 and the entire year 2008).

Alejandro Bodas-Salcedo December 2009

AMS Symposium on Boundary Layers and Turbulence

Keystone, Colorado, 2-6 August 2010

Meeting announcement now available.

Posted by Mark Webb on behalf of Wayne Angevine November 2009

CMIP5 information now available.

Information required to set up CFMIP2 recommended CMIP5 experiments is now available, including a patterned SST forcing dataset, a list of locations for high frequency outputs, and advice on setting up aquaplanet experiments.

Mark Webb August 2009


Public release of COSP v1.1

COSP Version 1.1 is now available, containing some minor changes and bug fixes.

Alejandro Bodas-Salcedo May 2009


Public release of COSP v1.0

Version 1.0 of the CFMIP observational simulator package (COSP) is now available.
Alejandro Bodas-Salcedo 6th April 2009


CFMIP/GCSS Boundary Layer WG Workshop on evaluation and understanding of cloud processes in GCMs

University of British Columbia, Vancouver, 8th-12th June, 2009.

Draft meeting programme available as of 6th April 23rd, 2009. Please see CFMIP Meetings

Mark Webb and Adrian Lock April 2009

ISCCP Simulator version 4.0 released

A new version of the ISCCP simulator ISCCP simulator is now available for use in CMIP5 and CFMIP-2. It is a necessary requirement to upgrade to this version for participation in these projects, as the science has changed compared to previous versions. This can be done by upgrading from an older version of the ISCCP simulator, or by installing version 1.0 of the CFMIP Observational Simulator Package (COSP), to be released shortly.

Mark Webb Mar 2009

CFMIP/GCSS Boundary Layer WG Workshop on evaluation and understanding of cloud processes in GCMs

University of British Columbia, Vancouver, 8th-12th June, 2009.

Details updated Feb 23d, 2009. Please see CFMIP Meetings

Mark Webb and Adrian Lock Feb 2009

Public release of COSP v0.3

We are pleased to announce the release of v0.3 of the CFMIP observational simulator package (COSP), formerly known as CICCS. This is a collaborative effort, and we would like to thank everyone involved in the project. There are many changes with respect to v0.1 (v0.2 was not distributed publicly). These are the main ones:

  • CMOR-compliant outputs
  • Inclusion of ISCCP simulator (v3.7)
  • Outputs on model levels or fixed-height levels
  • Treatment of non-spherical particles in lidar computations
  • Implemented capability of passing effective radius to the radar simulator.
  • Possibility of providing inputs in 1D or 2D mode ('curtain' or lon/lat)
  • New outputs, including PARASOL-like reflectances
  • Flexibility in the selection of instruments and/or outputs
This version should still be considered as a beta version, but we are already working towards the release of the first operational version.

Our plans for that version are:

  • Optimisation of the radar code so that it can be run efficiently in vector computers.
  • Operational version of ISCCP simulator.
  • Inclusion of a MISR simulator.
  • Additional documentation.
The plan is to release this version by end of the year. Comments and feedback are very welcome.

Alejandro Bodas-Salcedo 20th Oct 2008


News on plans for CFMIP-2 following the WGCM meeting.

Sandrine has written a report on CFMIP-2 related discussions at WGCM and an article for the GEWEX Newsletter on plans for CFMIP-2.

Mark Webb - October 2008


Report on CFMIP-2 discussions at WGCM

Following up on the Toulouse meeting we have updated our plans for CFMIP-2. The changes are detailed in The Cloud Feedback Model Intercomparison Project : Summary of Activities and Recommendations for Advancing Assesments of Cloud Feedbacks which is to be presented to the WGCM meeting in Paris in September 2008.

Mark Webb and Sandrine Bony - July 2008


Plans for CFMIP-2 updated

Following up on the Toulouse meeting we have updated our plans for CFMIP-2. The changes are detailed in The Cloud Feedback Model Intercomparison Project : Summary of Activities and Recommendations for Advancing Assesments of Cloud Feedbacks which is to be presented to the WGCM meeting in Paris in September 2008.

Mark Webb and Sandrine Bony - July 2008



Steve Klein joins CFMIP coordination committee.

We are pleased to announce that Steve Klein of PCMDI has joined the CFMIP coordination committee. Mark Webb July 2008


CICCS becomes COSP

The CFMIP simulator will from now on be known as the CFMIP Observational Simulator Package (COSP.) The change to a more general name has been made allow for future modules simulating other instruments such as TRMM. Mark Webb July 2008


Public release of CICCS v0.1

We are pleased to announce the release of v0.1 of the CFMIP ISCCP/CloudSat/CALIPSO Simulator (CICCS) .

Thanks to everyone involved in the project.

Version 0.1 is an stand-alone version of the code, with I/O section to NetCDF files, so that it can be run off-line.

We plan to release a second beta version (v0.2) prior to the release of the first official version. Version v0.2 will include the following improvements:

  • Possibility of producing outputs in height levels. Currently the outputs are in model levels.
  • A parameterisation for treatment of non-spherical ice particles in the lidar code.
  • Code optimisation. There are a few loops that will need to be vectorised before the code is used intensively in vector computers.
  • Additional documentation.
  • The plan is to release this version by mid-march.
The ISCCP simulator is not currently included, but it will be part of the first official version, which we plan to release by July 2008.

Alejandro Bodas-Salcedo 1st Feb 2008


4th PAN-GCSS meeting on : "Advances in modeling and observing clouds and convection."

June 2-6 2008 at Meteo-France, Toulouse,France.

Meeting announcement and Call for papers

Sponsored by: NASA, U.S. Department of Energy's ARM Program, NOAA, The World Climate Research Program and Meteo France.

The GEWEX Cloud System Study (GCSS) investigates cloud systems, their role in the climate system and their representation in models with a view to improving our capability to predict weather and climate using state-of the-art modeling and data assimilation systems. GCSS will hold a meeting to review and discuss "Advances in Modeling and observing Clouds and Convection" from June 2-6 2008 at Meteo-France, Toulouse, France.

Key areas to be discussed at this meeting are: "New observations and recent field campaigns", "Tropical Convection", "High Resolution Modeling on Large Domains" and "Cloud Climate Feedbacks". See also the full meeting announcement and call for papers and the GCSS website.

Sandrine Bony and Mark Webb Nov 2007


September 2007 - Plans for CFMIP-2 supported by WGCM.

Since the Paris meeting we have been working on our plans for CFMIP-2. These are now detailed in a report which was presented to the WGCM meeting in Hamburg 3-5th September 2007. Sandrine's presentation was well received, and the discussion is detailed in Sandrine's meeting report.

Mark Webb


July 2007 - New Project Coordinators for CFMIP

We would like to welcome George Tselioudis and Chris Bretherton to the CFMIP coordination committee, and are looking forward to bulting stronger links between CFMIP and GEWEX/GCSS with their help. Rob Colman is standing down due to other commitments. We would like to thank Rob for his help in planning CFMIP-2.

Mark Webb


CFMIP/ENSEMBLES Workshop on assessment of cloud and water vapour feedback processes in GCMs, Paris, 11th-13th April, 2007.

IPSL and the Hadley Centre held a joint workshop of the CFMIP and ENSEMBLES projects in Paris on Wed 11th - Fri 13th April, 2007.

The subject of the workshop was the development of diagnostic techniques for the assessment of climate feedback processes in ensembles of GCM simulations. The focus was on the use of observations and process studies to constrain cloud and water vapour feedbacks.

The workshop took place at the " Workshop programme.

Working group recommendations on experiments, diagnostics and CFMIP-GCSS collaboration.

Workshop presentations.

Group photos.

Map of the University.

Venue, transportation and Paris hotels.

Sandrine Bony, Jean-Louis Dufresne and Mark Webb (Updated Jun 2007)


A-Train aerosol/cloud meeting Lille October 22 to 25, 2007.

The "A-Train Lille Symposium 2007" will be held in Lille - Grand-Palais - from October 22 to 25, 2007. The goal of this international meeting is: "Bringing together A-train observations and modelling to understand aerosols and clouds" For more detailed information please visit the website: http:

Jean-Louis Dufresne and Mark Webb Feb 2007


CFMIP data is now available from PCMDI

Monthly and daily data for various CFMIP models are now avialable from PCMDI. Users should register at https:

Account approval for ftp access will follow in a few days (the process may be somewhat slow during the holidays.) If you already have a portal account for IPCC, no additional registration is needed. The CFMIP and CMIP3/IPCC data are in separate directories, as explained in https:

Many thanks to Karl Taylor, Bob Drach and others at PCMDI for hosting the CFMIP data, and to Keith Williams for making the data CMOR compliant.

Mark Webb Jan 2007


CFMIP Publications

Work under various CFMIP subprojects is now appearing in the literature. Please see our new publications section. Mark Webb Jun 2006


April 2006 - CFMIP Phases I and II

By the time of the fifth IPCC Scientific Assessment we hope that the ISCCP simulator will be required as standard in the IPCC experimental protocol. When this happens the current CFMIP experimental protocol will be redundant. With this in mind we are now thinking about what CFMIP could do in future to develop and apply new techniques for understanding and evaluating cloud climate feedbacks. These ideas will eventually form CFMIP Phase II. It is expected that CFMIP Phase I will continue until the time when daily ISCCP simulator diagnostics are required as standard in the AMIP and CMIP experimental protocols. Further daily data are expected from IPSL, NCAR, and Environment Canada by the end of 2006. Mark Webb


April 2006 - New Project Coordinators for CFMIP

We are now thinking about how CFMIP should evolve in the future. With this in mind, a new project coordinator structure has been agreed:

Lead Coordinator:
M.J. Webb
Hadley Centre, Met Office, UK
E-mail: mark.webb@metoffice.gov.uk		 Mat. Office Coordinator:
S. Bony
Laboratoire de Météorologie Dynamique (LMD/IPSL), France
E-mail: Sandrine.Bony@lmd.jussieu.fr		 Laboratoire de Météorologie Dynamique du C.N.R.S.
Coordinator:
R. Colman
Bureau of Meteorology Research Centre (BMRC), Australia
E-mail: r.colman@bom.gov.au		 Bureau of Meteorology Research Centre Project Advisor:
B.J. McAvaney
Bureau of Meteorology Research Centre (BMRC), Australia
E-mail: B.McAvaney@bom.gov.au		 Bureau of Meteorology Research Centre

We would like to thank Bryant McAvaney and Herve Le Treut for their considerable efforts in getting CFMIP off the ground.

Mark Webb, Sandrine Bony and Rob Colman


October 2005 - PCMDI hosting agreement

PCMDI have agreed to take over the hosting of the CFMIP data, supporting the wider use of CFMIP data in the scientific community. A condition of the hosting agreement is for all CFMIP data to be made CMOR compliant (see Detailed CFMIP Data Requirements) We hope to migrate the CFMIP data to PCMDI by summer 2006. Mark Webb


September 2005 - Please send your daily data!

The initial stages of the CFMIP project have concentrated on obtaining monthly data for as many GCMs as possible and analysis of these data have resulted in several papers lead by authors from a number of centres. However, it is becoming increasingly clear that the real value of CFMIP will be realised in detailed process based studies of cloud response to climate change. Many of the existing analysis techniques in this area require daily data, hence we are very keen to receive submissions of daily data. Keith Williams


September 2005 - More CFMIP data available

Monthly data from the following slab model simulations are now available: BMRC1, GFDL AM2, HadSM3, HadSM4, IPSL, MIROC high sensitivity, MIROC low sensitivity, UIUC. In addition, daily data are available for a few of these models. Note that unfortunately, only a subset of the requested data have been submitted to date for some models. The minimum requirement is for ISCCP simulator diagnostics to have been submitted, however where possible, we encourage submission of a complete diagnostic list. ALL OF THESE SLAB MODEL DATASETS ARE NOW CMOR COMPLIANT. Keith Williams


September 2005 - All new data to be passed through CMOR prior to submission

We have spent a considerable amount of time cleaning the data already submitted to CFMIP and passing it through CMOR. This work is now almost complete. We are requesting that all new data submitted to CFMIP has been passed through CMOR. Keith Williams


September 2005 - CMOR tables updated

The CMOR tables have been updated, primarily to obtain more data on model levels in order to provide the vertical resolution necessary for detailed process studies of clouds. Submissions based on the old tables are still acceptable. Keith Williams

November 2004 - CMOR data tables available.

Karl Taylor of PCMDI has revised our data tables to make them consistent with the IPCC data requirements. CMOR "MIP" tables are now available for CFMIP and so we request that future data submissions be made using CMOR if possible. Please see the Data Requirements section for more details. Mark Webb 29/11/04


November 2004 - UIUC slab data now available.

Slab data from from Natalia Andronova at the University of Illinois is now available - please see the 'Data Available' section. Mark Webb 29/11/04

November 2004 - GFDL slab data now available.

Data from the GFDL slab experiments are now available (thanks due to Brian Soden) Please see the 'Data Available' section. Mark Webb 29/11/04

November 2004 - Guidelines on publications and new diagnostic sub-projects.

These are now available in the Publication Protocol and Diagnostic Subprojects sections.

20th July 2004 - More data available

Slab model data from two versions of the Hadley Centre model (HadSM3 and HadSM4) are now available from the site (To obtain access to this data, you must have contributed data to the project). A full set of CFMIP data are available for these runs (i.e. monthly and daily data).

11th March 2004 - +/-2K from GFDL model now available

Equilibrium mean data for the plus/minus 2K experiments from GFDL (AM2p12b) is now available to participants.

6th Feb 2004 - Data now available to participants

Monthly data for the plus/minus 2K experiments from the Hadley Centre's HadAM3 and HadAM4 models is now available to download from this site. To obtain access to this data, you must have contributed data to the project. To upload data to this site, please contact keith.williams@metoffice.gov.uk.