EuMetChem - COST Action ES1004

COST ES1004 EuMetChem
HIRLAM-ALADIN Working Meeting on
Integrated Meteorology-Aerosol-Chemistry Modelling

30 Sep 2014, DMI, Copenhagen, Denmark

1. INTRODUCTION

The main aim of the meeting is to discuss joint ALADIN/HIRLAM strategy for online integrated Meteorology-Aerosol-Chemistry modelling for NWP. This workshop is a continuation of the previous event (which took place 26-27 September 2013, Météo-France, Toulouse, France).
Scientific development, improving computing capacities and societal needs for better forecasts to mitigate effects of severe weather and air pollution episodes have made the time ripe for a clear leap towards stronger integration or coupling of meteorology-chemistry-aerosol processes. This was the reason for launching the COST Action ES1004 (“European framework for online integrated air quality and meteorology modelling” - 2011-2015; http://eumetchem.info) to address strategically the issue.
Please, prepare your presentation (max 10 minutes) taking into account that the main focus of the meeting will be further discussions and elaboration of joint plans and strategy for building joint online coupled baseline system.
Note, EuMetChem COST Action can reimburse 5 persons attending the meeting. Please inform ASAP, who is needed to be reimbursed.

2. Drafted Programme / Agenda:
08:45-09:00 – Welcome (Bent Sass, DMI)
09:00-09:10 – Overview of the COST EuMetChem and WMO activities on online integrated   modelling for NWP applications (Alexander Baklanov, WMO/DMI)
09:10-09:20 – Overview of numerical systems developed at Meteo-France for air quality modelling, NWP and climate research (Francois Bouyssel, Météo-France)
09:20-09:30 – New aerosol microphysics and cloud-aerosol interaction schemes in Enviro-HIRLAM (Roman Nuterman, Univ. Copenhagen)
09:30-09:40 – Developments and plans on chemistry and aerosols (Matthieu Plu, Météo-France)
09:40-09:50 – Radiation … (Velle Toll / Kristian P. Nielsen; Univ Tartu, Estonia / DMI)
09:50-10:00 – Recent developments in Arome (Yann Seity, Météo-France)
10:00-10:10 – Recent aerosol feedback studies with HARMONIE (Sergey Ivanov, OSEU)
10:10-10:20 – Developments on the two moments microphysics scheme LIMA and aerosols (Benoit Vié, Météo-France)
10:20-10:50 –  Coffee Break
10:50-11:00 – Practicalities regarding the development of an operational coupled model
(Ulrik S. Korsholm, DMI)
11:00-12:00 –  Discussions on Joint Strategy of Online Integrated Modelling for NWP
12:00-12:30 –  Lunch
12:30-15:00 –  Discussions in Working Groups (WG): e.g. aerosol-radiation; aerosol-clouds; aerosol-chemistry; aerosol-turbulence; baseline system & numerics …
15:00-15:15 – Coffee Break
15:15-16:00  - Working Group discussions (continuation)
16:00-16:30 – Discussions on scientific coordination of activities and steering committee members
16:30-17:30 – Further planning, international collaboration, external projects/proposals (H2020; WMO link; “HIRLAM-C”; EuMetChem CCMM Conference …), students/university collaboration.
17:30            – End of the Meeting

3. List of the participants:

• Matthieu Plu (Meteo-France)
• Christine Lac (Meteo-France)
• Yann Seity (Meteo-France)
• Benoit Vié (Meteo-France)
• Francois Bouyssel (Météo-France)
• Sergey Ivanov (OSEU)
• Julia Palamrchuk (OSEU)
• Alexander Baklanov (WMO/DMI)
• Bent Sass (DMI)
• Kristian Nielsen (DMI)
• Ulrik Korsholm (DMI)
• Roman Nuterman (Univ Copenhagen)
• Velle Toll (Univ Tartu)
• Marcus Hirtl (ZAMG)
• Eigil Kaas (Univ Copenhagen)
• Alexander Mahura (DMI)

4. Summary of discussions from the EuMetChem COST ES1004 meeting at DMI 30 Sept. 2014

The conclusions and recommendations from the discussions at the meeting are summarized below:

1. Strategic Goal:   To build  a common system for research and different applications
   1. There is already a practice at Météo-France to make use of Meso-NH developments in Arome evolutions . This approach will be developed further in the future  (flow of information on new developments, e.g. parameterizations between the involved communities). Developments in  Arome happens through the IFS-phasing  and through  developments  coming from other models.  Progress is to be achieved  through  collaboration with other researchers in the context of various projects.
   2. It is suggested to build an aerosol/chemical branch for HARMONIE. Such setup may be used by the HIRLAM-ALADIN community  + university collaborators, e.g. via ECMWF special projects such as the current special project of DMI on integrated modelling .   It is recommended to obey the agreed way of developing cycles in the IFS community.  It is understood that key persons exist at MF, in HIRLAM and ALADIN who will coordinate new ideas for developments entering future cycles. 
   3. An open code policy is unanimously supported ! Universities play a role via special projects  and may get access to ECMWF computer systems and codes. There are possibly some advantages of using ECMWF installations in case of funded common projects  (e.g. due to help desk).
      Also local arrangements between Met Institutes and universities can be very valuable and efficient.
   4. HARMONIE is defined as the common platform, but it is necessary to utilize developments in IFS and secure a proper coordination.
2.  Practical aspects
   1. It is not obvious how to best promote aerosol effects in atmospheric models.  The recommended approach of the meeting is on-line integration of aerosols.   It is suggested to apply a progressive strategy for introducing aerosols in NWP. One suggestion is to take C-IFS/ MACC  aerosol analysis as initial state for higher resolution LAMs.  A small group will consider how to work with practicalities related operational NWP (Ulrik  Korsholm,  François Bouyssel, Benoit Vié  and Velle Toll).  It may be argued that it is mainly of academic interest to compare processes to each other.  The main interest to operational NWP is whether a given change makes a positive impact on NWP verification scores. This may be tested by using the already established NWP verification methodology. Basically, we can add one feedback proces at a time and compare NWP verification scores; this is the normal procedure when developing NWP.
   1. Which processes/aerosols are important ? ( turbulence, cloud, radiation, microphysics).  Preliminary results indicate that direct effects are important. Schemes are available and mechanisms are understandable. Indirect effects are much more difficult and need further research.  -   Suggestion:  Use the experience from meso-NH or other models as a guideline for implementation of specific processes (schemes). Another suggestion:  Try to make an impact study based on hypotheses in EuMetChem paper and Aqmeii. Possibly run the period of 2010 and investigate statistics, but study specific events, e.g. dust events , forest fires  etc.  Wet deposition mechanisms are linked with 4D-clouds.
   2. Numerical aspects
      Schemes must not be diffusive, also they are required to be positive definit and mass conserving. Improvements have already been made in meso-NH. Enviro-HIRLAM has experience with development of mass conserving scheme.  More research is required to obtain a proper scheme.  
   3. Surface interactions (emissions, radiation interactions, biogenic effects, urbanization etc. ?)   Suggestions:   Build a base-line emission database and/or build on SURFEX developments.  Establish collaborative link between Enviro-Hirlam, Mocage and SURFEX communities to build emission preprocessor for HARMONIE.  Use and further develop urban model (TEB) as part of SURFEX.  Incorporate data from very high resolution land use data-bases. Realize  improvements related to orography (radiation on sloping surfaces).  Possibly match the spectral bands of SURFEX and the IFS/HIRLAM radiation schemes. Regarding biogenic emissions further discussions are needed with SURFEX community.
   4. Data-assimilation , new observations  ?
      Data-assimilation of aerosols is a huge challenge, collaboration with ECMWF is desirable. Many aerosol types exist in nature, but not properly reflected in the model systems,  currently work is ongoing with respect to volcanic ash (regional analyses). Also the MarcoPolo project is addressing the issues.  A combination of lidars and satellite information seems necessary.  Staff in HIRLAM-ALADIN community are interested to work on these issues.  An overview paper ( Christian Seigneur) is being submitted on methodologies in chemical data-assimilation.
   5. Chemistry,  a priority ? and  which time frame ?
      Simplified chemistry is needed for aerosol formation in operational models. Full chemistry is relevant for research models and chemical weather forecasting. There is already some chemistry in SUGAR library of Météo-France. This may be included in HARMONIE at some stage.
   6. Validation and verification tools 
      The NWP verification tools are already available and are developed for high resolution NWP (e.g. HARP)
      Use of Aqmeii experience is recommended.  Extend verification tool with extra statistical parameters.
      New chemical parameters should be included. This implies adding extra database with chemical
      observations. Further planning needed in a specific working group.
3. External funding :   Possibilities  
   1. COPERNICUS:  A call is to be published in February 2015:  Possibility to apply for downscaling to regional and urban scale. A specific opportunity  might be to use online models. A first step might be to start with simpler approaches.
   2. H2020 application(s) ? Topics of future calls are not clear yet. - perhaps too specific at this stage.  Urbanization issues probably will not focus on forecasting, but more on heath impacts. High impact weather in the context of aerosol developments: This seems a possible way to go (multidisciplinary issues associated). In addition: Innovative training networks  (ITN)  :  We can make a network using PhD’s for developing  aerosol-chemistry and numerical methods for NWP.  Possibility to enhance already existing application (Eigil Kaas).
   3. Cooperation with non-Europe countries ?
      Suggestions :   Possibly apply for national funding, e.g. Centre of Excellence ( urban climate, high impact weather etc. )
   4. COST applications after EuMetChem  (e.g.  Enviro-Urban ,  online models for climate applications).
      It is suggested to actively participate in coupled model conference (WMO event in Geneva 23-25 February 2015: Symposium on Coupled Chemistry-Meteorology/Climate Models ).
4. Scientific coordination activities :

It is suggested to formalize the collaboration initiative as a part of the Météo-France-HIRLAM-ALADIN future coordination activities. Further, the activities should be included into the HIRLAM-ALADIN planning (rolling work plan). Until the end of February 2015 it is possible to make use of existing COST ES1004 funding,  e.g. using short term scientific missions. A final conference proceedings enter into special issue of ACP. New people might be involved in future work.