News

Upgrade to IFS Cycle 47r3

Forecast upgrade improves moist physics and use of satellite observations

An upgrade of ECMWF’s Integrated Forecasting System to Cycle 47r3 implemented on 12 October has improved the representation of moist physics in the model and increased satellite observation usage in cloudy regions in data assimilation.
High-performance computing in meteorology

Experts debate use of high-performance computing in meteorology

ECMWF held a biennial event on the use of high-performance computing in meteorology from 20 to 24 September, bringing together experts from national weather centres, academia and industry.
Kaah Menang

WMO fellow to develop Climate Data Store application for Africa

Kaah Menang, a meteorologist and researcher from the National Department of Meteorology, Cameroon, is to use a one-year World Meteorological Organization Fellowship at ECMWF to work on a Climate Data Store application for Africa.
Annual Seminar 2021 group image

Annual Seminar looks into Earth system observations

Thirty-seven experts set out the latest thinking on Earth system observations at ECMWF’s Annual Seminar 2021 from 13 to 17 September. The online event was held jointly with the World Meteorological Organization WCRP–WWRP Symposium on Data Assimilation and Reanalysis.

Katie Lean

Investigating AMVs and microwave sounders on small satellites

As ECMWF’s Annual Seminar on Observations gets under way, we take a look at Katie Lean’s work on satellites producing atmospheric motion vectors (AMVs) and a potential future constellation of small satellites carrying microwave sounding instruments.
Map showing ECMWF sites in the UK, Germany and Italy

ECMWF becomes a multi-site organisation

ECMWF has officially become a multi-site organisation, holding opening ceremonies for offices in Bonn, Germany, and its data centre in Bologna, Italy, on 13 and 14 September 2021.
European temperature anomaly June-July-August 2021

Heat, rain, floods and fires – the European summer of 2021

The European summer of 2021 stands out for great heat, regional fires, heavy rain and devastating floods, which were reflected in the output of ECMWF and the EU’s Copernicus Services which we operate or contribute to.
News highlights image Jan-Jul 2021

News highlights January to July 2021

ECMWF news highlights in the first seven months of 2021 include an upgrade of ECMWF’s Integrated Forecasting System; projects and workshops to drive forward weather science; and new developments regarding the EU-funded Copernicus services implemented by ECMWF.
Arctic sea ice

APPLICATE project to have lasting effects on polar forecasting

As part of the EU’s Horizon 2020 project APPLICATE, ECMWF has reviewed the challenges that limit forecast skill in Arctic regions. Advances have been made in coupled modelling, process-based diagnostics, and the effective use of observations and data assimilation.
Image of flooding in Erfstadt-Blessem in July 2021

ECMWF’s role in the Copernicus Emergency Management Service renewed

ECMWF is to continue as the computational centre for the hydrological forecasting activities of the EU-funded Copernicus Emergency Management Service for a further six years. The computational centre helps to deliver the European and Global Flood Awareness Systems, EFAS and GloFAS.
ECMWF Newsletter 168

Summer 2021 Newsletter published

The summer 2021 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.
Earth in space with names of ECMWF Copernicus Services

ECMWF and European Commission renew contract for Copernicus services

ECMWF has signed an agreement with the European Commission to continue implementing the EU-funded Copernicus Climate Change Service (C3S) and Copernicus Atmosphere Monitoring Service (CAMS) for the next seven years.
Forecast User Forum image

ECMWF opens forum for forecast users

ECMWF has opened a forum for its users to post comments on topics related to weather and forecasting, join conversations and provide feedback to the Centre.
ECMWF Annual Report 2020 Cover web news

ECMWF Annual Report 2020 available online

The Report reviews improvements in forecast performance, advances in research, the Centre’s contributions to Europe’s Copernicus Earth observation programme, preparations for the new data centre in Italy, and how we have worked through the COVID-19 pandemic.

Meteosat Third Generation and Metop-SG satellites

EUMETSAT to provide new satellite observations to improve weather forecasts

ECMWF needs up-to-date satellite observations of weather-related variables to initialise its forecasts and to conduct research. Its partnership with EUMETSAT is essential in this regard.
Weather observation super-site in Falkenberg, Germany

How super-site observations help improve ECMWF forecasts

ECMWF researchers have used detailed soil and weather observations up to about 200 metres above ground from several observational super-sites in Europe to assess and improve different aspects of our weather forecasts.
UEF2021-montage

An extraordinary ‘Using ECMWF’s Forecasts 2021’ event

The second fully virtual Using ECMWF’s Forecasts event was held from 1 to 4 June 2021. The meeting attracted people from all over the world to discuss and provide feedback on ECMWF products and services.

Saildrone to help ECMWF understand the Gulf Stream

ECMWF is to ingest data from Saildrone uncrewed surface vehicles (USVs) later this year to improve our understanding of the behaviour of the Gulf Stream and its influence on weather. Up to six solar-powered USVs will cover a part of the Gulf Stream that is crucial for forecasts.
Ocean data assimilation workshop image

Scientists review advances in ocean data assimilation

Some 170 scientists from around the world presented recent progress and challenges ahead in ocean data assimilation in a virtual event from 17 to 20 May 2021, organised jointly by ECMWF and OceanPredict.