Category: Operational news

ECMWF plans to upgrade the horizontal resolution of its integrated forecasting system (IFS) associated with a number of enhancements to the model and data assimilation schemes. The upgrade is planned on March 8th, 2016.

For more information, please visit the dedicated ECMWF web pages: <link https: software.ecmwf.int wiki display fcst> software.ecmwf.int/wiki/display/FCST/Horizontal+resolution+increase <link https: software.ecmwf.int wiki display fcst>software.ecmwf.int/wiki/display/FCST/Implementation+of+IFS+cycle+41r2 For altimetric processing, the current model horizontal resolution will be retained in order to have more time to perform testing and to study impacts. Therefore, on March 8 the current "N640" resolution will be used, by reinterpolating and downscaling the new high resolution "O1280" grids. No changes are expected to the meteorological files used in the altimetric processing chains (format, size, etc.) other than the effect of the model changes. The final switch to the high-resolution grids from the model is planned before this summer. More information and quantification of impacts on altimetric products will be given to users prior to that change.