Some template text and images for presentations on the Advanced Data

Assimilation Methods project

Bethan HarrisAssimila Ltd

Project Summary

This initiative contains tasks in three different fields which will advance data assimilation methods for large and complex geophysical datasets.

Advanced Data Assimilation Methods

Project Overview

The first task investigates new methods of performing data assimilation in a non-linear and non-Gaussian framework, in order to increase the accuracy of forecasts of geophysical systems. Traditional data-assimilation methods rely on linearity and normality, while we know that geophysical models tend to be highly nonlinear, and also the relation between the model variables and observations can be nonlinear. Since we have little knowledge of nonlinear data assimilation in the very high-dimensional geophysical systems, the task is necessarily investigating entirely new approaches to the problem.

Project Overview continued

The second task investigates the impacts of the description of model and observation errors on the solution to the data-assimilation problem. Specific work will focus on representativity errors in simple models, and on nonlinear measures of observation impact. We will also work on the determination of model errors by analysing ensemble forecasts of severe convective events.

Project Overview continued

The third task will combine the knowledge gained from the first two tasks along with a new physical radiation transfer model in order to build an advanced scheme for retrieving snow values. These retrievals – which are a long-standing problem in data assimilation, hampered by extreme non-linearity and relatively infrequent observations – hold the potential to shed new light on environmental changes in the last 30 years.

Wordle of project summary

Wordle of project proposal

Project Structure Overview

Advanced Data Assimilation Methods

Task 1Data-assimilation methods for nonlinear non-Gaussian and multi-scale problems

Reading

Task 2 Quantifying and

representing uncertainty in models and observations at

multiple scalesReading

Task 3 Exploration of advanced

data-assimilation schemes to retrieve new snow

productsReading

Task 4Outreach

Assimila

Task 6Management

Assimila

WP 1.5 (Reading) Methods to understand

and treat model bias

WP 1.4 (Reading)Variational DA experiments

in the idealised coupled system

WP1.1 (Reading) Improving nonlinear non-Gaussian data assimilation

methods using particle filters

WP1.2 (Reading) Testing the new particle

filters on high-dimensional systems with large data

sets

WP1.3 (Warwick)Improving nonlinear non-

Gaussian data-assimilation methods using MCMC

WP 2.5 (Reading) Assess the impact of

assumed and real error structures in observations

in data assimilation

WP 2.4 (Reading)Develop methods to infer the influence of satellite observations on data-assimilation problems

WP2.1 (Reading) Perform (ensemble)

experiments to quantify model errors

WP2.2 (Reading) Assess sensitivity of the errors (eg covariance

spread) to experimental setup

WP2.3 (Reading) Carry out ensembles of model runs to unravel

initial and model equation errors

WP3.1 (Reading) Develop a physically-based

model connecting grain-size distribution and outgoing

micro-wave radiation

WP3.2 (Reading) Develop a methodology for assimilation of microwave measurements for snow

mass retrieval

WP 4.5 (Assimila) Workshops and events

WP 4.4 (Assimila) Training

WP4.1 (Assimila) Planning and coordination

WP4.2 (Assimila) WWW site

WP4.3 (Assimila) Promotional material

WP5.1 (Assimila) Project management

WP5.2 (Reading) Scientific management

Design elements

• ESA Fonts available on request from bethan.harris@assimila.eu

Images – “Data”

Source: http://pixabay.com/en/binary-code-binary-binary-system-63529/

Source: http://www.fotopedia.com/items/flickr-2665444580Required reference: “photo by widdowquinn on Flickr”

Source: http://pixabay.com/en/ball-http-www-crash-administrator-63527/ Source: http://pixabay.com/en/black-business-computer-computing-18295/

Images – “Observations”

Source: http://www.fotopedia.com/items/flickr-6648960719Required Reference: “photo by NASA Goddard Photo and Video on Flickr”

Source: http://www.fotopedia.com/items/flickr-6818408270Required reference: “photo by NASA's Marshall Space Flight Center on Flickr”

Source: http://www.geograph.org.uk/photo/944298Required Reference: “Copyright Thomas Nurgent (www.geograph.org.uk/profile/48267)”

Source: http://www.fotopedia.com/items/flickr-6875674067Required Reference: “photo by NASA Goddard Photo and Video on Flickr”

Images – “Models”

Source: http://www.fotopedia.com/items/flickr-3334947628Required Reference: “photo by Argonne National Laboratory on Flickr”

Required reference: “International Space Innovation Centre”

Source: http://de.fotopedia.com/items/flickr-2656065581 Required Reference: “photo by Erica_Marshall on Flickr”Source: http://www.flickr.com/photos/clintjcl/5552929311/in/photostream/

Required Reference: “photo by Rev. Xanatos Satanicos Bombasticos on Flickr”