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Model Configurations

The IFS models the dynamics of the atmosphere and the physical processes that occur, and also other processes that influence the weather e.g. atmospheric composition, surface energy fluxes, the marine environment and processes at the atmosphere/surface interface (then scroll down to soil/surface section).  Several configurations of the atmospheric model are used, each tailored towards a specific aim:

  • Ensemble (ENS) to investigate detail and uncertainty in the forecast during the first 10days or 15days.
  • Extended ENS and Seasonal runs to give probability of general conditions at longer ranges.

There are some slight differences, but generally the same model structure is used in each of the different model configurations.  The relative skill of the models and their strengths have been investigated.


Major changes introduced with Cy48r1 Spring 2023

Some major changes were made to the IFS with the introduction of the Cy48r1 in Spring 2023.

After the introduction of  Cy48r1 in Spring 2023 the:

  • medium range ensemble (ENS):
    • has horizontal resolution of 9 Km and vertical resolution of 137 model levels.  These values are the same as those of the High Resolution (HRES) in earlier IFS versions.
    • has 50 ensemble members plus a control member (control10 for the 10day forecast, control15 for the 15day forecast).
    • control10 corresponds to the High Resolution (HRES) in earlier IFS versions and maintains continuity of output for users.
    • the medium range ensemble is run twice daily from Day0-Day10 and also from Day0-Day15. 
  • extended range ensemble:
    • has horizontal resolution of 36 Km and vertical resolution of 137 model levels.  
    • has 100 members plus a control member.
    • the extended range ensemble is run daily from Day0-Day46.
  • a multi-layer snow scheme was introduced.

The extended range forecasts are not just an extension of the medium-range forecasts but are completely separate systems both starting from their own analyses.  Two sets of re-forecasts, one for the medium range and one for the extended range.


Before the introduction of Cy48r1 in Spring 2023 the: 

  • High Resolution (HRES):
    • had horizontal resolution of 9 Km and vertical resolution of 137 model levels (HRES not used after Cy48r1).
  • medium range ensemble (ENS):
    • had horizontal resolution of 18 Km and vertical resolution of 137 model levels (higher horizontal resolution after Cy48r1).
    • had 50 ensemble members plus a control member.
    • the medium range ensemble was run twice daily from Day0-Day15.  
  • extended range ensemble:
    • had horizontal resolution of 36 Km and vertical resolution of 91 model levels (higher vertical resolution after Cy48r1).  
    • had 50 members plus a control member (doubled the number of ensemble members after Cy48r1).
    • the extended range ensemble wais run daily from Day0-Day46.
  • a single-layer snow scheme was used.




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