1. WCRP update WGSIP 16th session 10-12 March 2014 UKMO, Exeter, UK
M. Rixen, WCRP JPS, Geneva

2. (WCRP Strategic Framework 2005-2015).
Mission & Objectives
World Climate Research Programme supports climate-related decision making and adaptation planning by coordinating research required to improve
climate predictions and
understanding of human influence on climate
“for use in an increasing range of practical applications of direct relevance, benefit and value to society”
(WCRP Strategic Framework ).

4. Global Framework for Climate Services (GFCS)

5. ICSU’s Future Earth conceptual framework
Proposed Research Strategy: At the simplest level, Future Earth must answer fundamental questions about how and why the global environment is changing, what are likely future changes, what the implications are for humans and other species, and what choices can be made to reduce harmful risks and vulnerabilities, enhance resilience, and create prosperous futures.
Call for proposal: Fast Track Initiatives and Cluster Activities
Deadline 4 April 2014 – need some GEC core project umbrella

6. WMAC
Earth System Grid Federation to become WCRP main mechanism for exchanging data (climate simulations+observations+reanalyses) in the next decade, including core projects
Model development summer schools
Model development prize

7. Summer school on Model Development
Model physics, parameterization, dynamical core
Single column model, packaged for follow-on work with case studies (e.g. stable boundary layer, GASS test cases, etc)
60 % lectures, 40% hands on work
Every 2 years
Engagement with modeling groups and GC Clouds but also core projects
40 students, support to ECS, LDCs
2 weeks, June 2015, MPI

8. Draft course content
Physical processes in the atmosphere and their relevance to weather and climate (4h)
Basic background theory – Thermodynamics, Feedbacks, Climate Sensitivity
Physics-Circulation Coupling – Key modes of variability
Large-scale atmospheric models: overview and need for parameterization (2h)
General principles/theory of parameterization (2h) 
Numerics and coupling between physics and dynamic (8h)
Building parameterizations:
Radiation (3h), PBL (3h), Convection (3h), Clouds (3h), Gravity Waves (2h)
Evaluation of parameterizations:
Observations in support of parameterization development (2h), Process models (2h), Idealized modeling (2h), Bringing it all together (2h)
Introduction to SCMs and other modelling tools
General ideas (2h), The local host model, including details of its parameterizations (6h)
Practical work with SCMs and other tools (20 h)
Reports from student activities (4h)

9. Model development prize
Background
Fundamental physics receives poor attention vs model runs/simulations
Model deficiencies: mainly parameterization and physics issues, systematic errors
Model developers: endangered species
Low career prospects, low recognition of contribution
Aim: annual recognition of a significant contribution in model development
Target: ECS (within 10 years of PhD)
Selection board: representatives of modeling groups, one or few reps from main modeling center, JPS
Sponsors: maybe EGU, AMS, AGU, etc
Nomination process by direct supervisor/mentor and/or head of institution
Information: 1 page rationale, evidence of contribution and CV
Discussion with WWRP for a joint prize, initial feedback very positive, further discussions at WGNE29

10. CMIP new structure
WGCM: a new Infrastructure Panel to maintain standards and metadata across MIP

11. Intercomparison Models-Observations
Coordinated with CMIP5 are parallel efforts to collect and make available observationally-based products
Obs4MIPs
A pilot effort to improve the connection between data experts and scientists involved in climate model evaluation. Aligned with CMIP5, with encouragement from the WGCM, WGNE, WDAC.
NASA and the U.S. DOE have initiated the project with significant contributions of appropriate NASA products. This is expanding to other products from other agencies.
Communities to contribute data to Obs4MIPs such as cryosphere, biogeochemistry, etc.
Obs4MIPs is a pilot effort to improve the connection between data experts and scientists involved in climate model evaluation. It is closely aligned with CMIP5, with encouragement from the WGCM and WGNE. NASA and the U.S. DOE have initiated the project with significant contributions of appropriate NASA products. An overarching goal is to enable other data communities to contribute data to Obs4MIPs.

12. WDAC
WDAC3, Galway, Ireland, May 2014: special session on (sea and land) fluxes: importance for ESM, coupling, …
ECV inventory being developed jointly by CEOS, CGMS and WMO (WCRP+ GCOS)
In prep: doc on best practices for data set assessments (+maturity index) and publications (DOI)
obs4MIPs panel to identify suitable data sets for inclusion in ESGF/obs4MIPS and develop guidelines
obs4MIPs-CMIP workshop: 29 Apr – 1 May, NASA HQ: atmosphere, ocean, land, cryosphere, carbon, chemistry, radiation, simulators, etc
ana(pirani?)4MIPs parallel effort to bring reanalyses into ESGF

13. Recent events
WGNE systematic error workshop, UKMO, Exeter, April 2013: model development hindered by poor quality of reanalysis over polar and tropics, need to identify causes of biases
Seasonal to decadal workshop, Toulouse, May 2013: importance of coupling, initialization / data assimilation, ensembles, external forcing, link to climate services
WGCM17: CMIP and MIPs structure, CMIP6, AIMES
International Conference on Regional Climate – CORDEX 2013, Brussels, Nov 2013: need to ensure added value of downscaling
S2S conference, Feb 2014, College Park, MD: new territory, engagement of community and stakeholders is critical

15. Very relevant, even if you think you are a “climate scientist”!

18. Miscellaneous
Synergies with other groups (WGNE, S2S, PPP, etc): maximize research impact, avoid duplications
Potential stronger synergies between WGNE/WGCM Climate Model Metrics Panel ( WGSIP and WWRP/WGNE Joint Working Group on Forecast Verification Research (JWGFVR) – towards seamless metrics and verification

19. Thank you for your attention!