6 monthly report

Franco Molteni

WP1300:  As a preparation for the sensitivity experiments planned within this WP, the latest version of the ECMWF atmospheric GCM (with the same formulation used in ERA40) is being tested through a set of ensemble simulations with observed SST covering all winter seasons during the 80's. On the basis of earlier experimentation, it was decided to run such ensembles at TL159 horizontal resolution, although some T63 experiments are also being performed as a comparison. Tests using ERA40 vs. ERA15 initial conditions are also being performed, on those cases where ERA40 data are available.  These simulations are expected to be used as the

"control set" for future experimentation on the sensitivity to land surface conditions over the tropical continents.

WP4000:  A prototype of the PROMISE archive has been implemented by CINECA under ICTP supervision, including data from re-analyses, seasonal forecasting projects and climate scenario runs. Through a flexible web-based interface, data can be selected on different space and time domains, visualised interactively on the web, or downloaded in GRADS

format.

WP5000: From 28 May to 15 June 2001, a Workshop on "Land-Atmosphere Interactions in Climate Models", followed by a Conference on "Climate Variability and Land-Surface Processes:  Physical Interactions and Regional Impacts", have been held at ICTP with the co-sponsorship of

PROMISE. These activities have been attended by over 130 scientists worldwide, with about 80 participants from developing countries being sponsored by ICTP either through specifically allocated funds (including the PROMISE contribution), or through the ICTP Associate Membership and Federation schemes. During the Workshop, the overall structure and goals of the project were presented, and a demonstration was held on the use of the PROMISE archive, followed by laboratory sessions. A number of presentations on PROMISE-funded research were given during the Conference.