Models used in CPDN, University of Oxford

Scientists will be able to study events such as tropical storm Karl, which developed in the Atlantic in September 2016, using the OpenIFShome project. (Image: NASA Visible Earth, LANCE/EOSDIS Rapid Response team)

Models used in CPDN

The information below summarises the various types of climate model used by CPDN (climateprediction.net), including some that are planned for future release.

Fully Coupled Global Models

HadCM3

This was the standard coupled model of the Met Office until a few years ago, and is still actively used for climate change research. A future release of this model is planned by CPDN. Read more about this model on the Met Office website.

Atmosphere: 2.5 x 3.75 degrees lat-lon resolution, 19 vertical levels (known as N48; comparable resolution to ~T42)., 30 mins timestep for dynamics, 3 hours for radiative transfer.
Ocean: 1.25 x 1.25 degrees lat-lon resolution, 20 vertical levels, 1 hour timestep.

Sulphur and carbon cycles, dynamic vegetation etc. are optional.

Atmospheric Models Coupled to a Simple Ocean

HadSM3

HadCM3 but with 1 layer thermodynamic ocean (slab ocean). The CPDN Slab experiment, Sulphur cycle experiment, and mid-Holocene experiments all use this model.

Resolution: 2.5 x 3.75 degrees.

Atmosphere-only Models

HadAM3P

As HadAM3, but N96 resolution, (1.25 x 1.875 degrees resolution, 19 levels) with 15 minutes timestep for dynamics and improved physics. This has been used for the storm-tracking experiment and was used for the Validation and Attribution experiment.

It is the standard driving model for all Weather@Home experiments. For each regional experiment, a new version of this model is made, focusing on the region in question. These are denoted by the region’s acronym at the end of the model name:

Europe: hadam3p_eu
Australia & New Zealand: hadam3p_anz
Pacific North West: hadam3p_pnw
Africa: hadam3p_afr

HadRM3P

A high-resolution, regional configuration of HadAM3 with improved physics. This is the regional model used in PRECIS experiments by the Met Office and in all Weather@Home experiments.

It has 0.44 x 0.44 degrees resolution with a rotated pole to achieve approx. 50 km x 50 km resolution on 19 levels (used for the EU region, South Asia, planned for East Asia). Also used is a double resolution variant at 0.22 x 0.22 degrees (Western US, planned for EU and Africa).

Hybrid models

PRECIS

HadRM3P, driven by a global model such as HadCM3 or HadAM3P. CPDN uses a HadAM3P driven HadRM3P for the Weather@Home experiment and earlier regional experiments.