EMC/HPC/MPC/NCO/CPC synergy meeting highlights 04/22/02

This meeting was led by Stephen Jascourt and followed a generic agenda denoted by the subtitles below. Attendees included Hua-Lu Pan, Steve Tracton, Jun Du, Keith Brill, Ed Danaher, Pete Manousos, Bill Bua, Chris Bailey, and Brent Gordon.

1. IBM SP

Brent Gordon reported that the computer systems have run extremely smoothly the last 2-3 months, except for a GPFS slowdown the night before the meeting. The RUC-20 was implemented without incident. The nonhydrostatic “Meso” model parallel test (for the “high-resolution windows” runs) was moved into production mode. The GFDL model this year will have an expanded 1/6-degree inner nest and use only two nests instead of three (the 1-degree outer nest will no longer be used). The procurement process for the new computer seems to be running slightly behind schedule, with a public announcement now anticipated during the last week in June. 

2. Notes from EMC

a. Global Modeling Group: Hua-Lu Pan reported that the MRF stops running tomorrow (April 23), with MRF-look-alike products being generated from the 00z AVN run. The T254 is proceeding as planned, with mid-June implementation anticipated. There is a potential problem for TPC - hurricane forecast track errors are increased over the presently operational T170 for the sample tested.

b. Mesoscale Modeling Group: Geoff DiMego (not in attendance) passed along that there is nothing new to report regarding the summer Eta implementation and that the RUC implementation proceeded as expected.

c. Global Ensembles: Zoltan Toth was unable to attend and others did not know of anything new to report

d. Short Range Ensembles: Steve Tracton reported that the SREF is presently parallel testing 5 Eta members using the Kain-Fritsch (KF) convective parameterization. These should be implemented by the end of May, bringing the present 10-member ensemble up to 15 members. Testing so far has shown good spread in the KF members and between the KF and current Eta members (which use the BMJ convective parameterization).

e. Marine Modeling and Analysis Branch (MMAB): Nobody was present from MMAB.

3. Input to EMC from Operational Centers

No items of particular concern.

4. Next meeting proposed TUESDAY May 28 at noon in room 209. Note that this date is to accommodate the Memorial Day holiday, which falls on the usual last-Monday-of-the-month meeting date. The room has been reserved for us.