News

Example from CAMS forecast of dust aerosol

Model upgrade improves forecasts of dust aerosol, particulate matter and ozone

The global forecasting system of the Copernicus Atmosphere Monitoring Service (CAMS) was successfully upgraded on 6 October, leading to improved forecasts of sea salt and dust aerosol, particulate matter and stratospheric ozone. CAMS is implemented by ECMWF on behalf of the European Commission.
Example plots from Climetlab

Python developments enable easier access to weather and climate data

New Python packages and training with Jupyter notebooks are making it simpler to access and use vast weather and climate datasets from ECMWF and Copernicus.
Machine Learning workshop image

Workshop explores potential of machine learning for Earth observation and prediction

The first ECMWF–ESA Workshop on Machine Learning for Earth System Observation and Prediction drew a large virtual attendance of international experts in machine learning and Earth system sciences.
Flooded rail tracks

New upgrades to deliver step-change improvements to flood forecasting

Floods impact billions of people worldwide. Learn about major new upgrades to the European Flood Awareness System (EFAS) and explore how the Global Flood Awareness System (GloFAS) helped communities prepare for, and recover from, this summer’s monsoon floods in Bangladesh.
ECMWF medium-range forecast charts

ECMWF moves towards a policy of open data

Hundreds of ECMWF forecast charts are now free and accessible to all.
Satellite and simulated satellite images

ECMWF and Atos launch Center of Excellence in Weather & Climate Modelling

ECMWF and Atos are opening a Center of Excellence in HPC, AI, and Quantum Computing for Weather & Climate to support ECMWF scientists in their work on medium- and long-range weather prediction, and global climate modelling.
Marcin Chrust

Flexible data assimilation framework offers opportunities for innovation

An ECMWF/ESA workshop from 5 to 8 October 2020 will explore the application of machine and deep learning techniques in Earth system observation and prediction. Marcin Chrust considers what scope there may be for such techniques in ECMWF’s Object-Oriented Prediction System.
ECMWF Annual Seminar 2020, group photo

Annual Seminar presents latest in numerical methods for atmospheric and oceanic modelling

Speakers and participants at this year’s Annual Seminar embraced the virtual format to explore the latest developments in computational methods for solving the equations that govern atmospheric, wave, ocean and sea-ice dynamics.
Sam Hatfield

Accelerating weather forecasting models using reduced-precision arithmetic

Sam Hatfield is looking at ways of reducing the computational cost of producing weather forecasts by using lower precision in the calculations. He will present his findings at ECMWF’s Annual Seminar, taking place in virtual format from 14 to 18 September.
Copernicus CO2 satellite image

ECMWF-led CO2 monitoring project on track for 2023 prototype

A European project to build a monitoring and verification support capability for global emissions of carbon dioxide (CO2) related to human activities is on track to deliver a prototype system by 2023, ECMWF’s project coordinator says.
News highlights image Jan-Jul 2020

News highlights January to July 2020

ECMWF news highlights in the first seven months of 2020 include an upgrade of ECMWF’s Integrated Forecasting System; a new supercomputer contract; projects and workshops to drive forward weather science; and new insights from the EU-funded Copernicus services implemented by ECMWF.
ECMWF Fellows Tilmann Gneiting, Rupert Klein, Tim Palmer

Fellowship terms end for ECMWF’s first three Fellows

Prof. Tilmann Gneiting, Prof. Rupert Klein and Prof. Tim Palmer were appointed in July 2014. Their expertise and engagement have brought major benefits in areas including forecast calibration, numerical methods, and the use of reduced numerical precision within weather forecast simulations.
ECMWF Newsletter 164 cover

Summer 2020 Newsletter published

The summer 2020 issue of the ECMWF Newsletter is now available. As well as news about ECMWF staff and events, it features articles about new developments and the use that can be made of ECMWF products.
ECMWF Member State flags

Silvio Cau elected as ECMWF’s new Council President

At its June meeting, ECMWF’s Council elected Gen. Isp. G.A. Silvio Cau as its President. The Council also noted expressions of interest from ten countries to host an additional ECMWF facility.
IFS Cycle 47r1 upgrade graphic

IFS upgrade greatly improves forecasts in the stratosphere

A wide-ranging upgrade of ECMWF’s Integrated Forecasting System (IFS), implemented on 30 June 2020, improves global weather forecasts and substantially improves analyses and forecasts in the stratosphere.
ECMWF Annual Report 2019 Cover image

Annual Report 2019 now available online

The ECMWF Annual Report 2019 is now available online. The report reviews improvements in forecast performance, advances in research, the Centre’s contributions to Europe’s Copernicus Earth observation programme, and preparations for the new data centre in Italy.
Mark Parrington

How to track changes in atmospheric composition across the globe

ECMWF scientist Mark Parrington studied physics to find out how the world works. Today he applies the skills he has acquired to tracking changes in atmospheric composition and communicating his findings to the public.
UEF 2020 image

Using ECMWF’s Forecasts 2020: embracing the virtual challenge

ECMWF virtually met its data, product and service users during this year’s Using ECMWF’s Forecasts event (UEF 2020) from 1 to 4 June 2020. The online meeting attracted 227 people from 43 countries

Earth observation system

Coordinated response mitigates loss of aircraft-based weather data

A coordinated response involving EUMETNET, national meteorological services and private companies is helping to mitigate any adverse effects of the continued loss of aircraft-based observations on weather forecasts.