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The ERA‐Interim reanalysis: configuration and performance of the data assimilation system
Author(s) -
Dee D. P.,
Uppala S. M.,
Simmons A. J.,
Berrisford P.,
Poli P.,
Kobayashi S.,
Andrae U.,
Balmaseda M. A.,
Balsamo G.,
Bauer P.,
Bechtold P.,
Beljaars A. C. M.,
van de Berg L.,
Bidlot J.,
Bormann N.,
Delsol C.,
Dragani R.,
Fuentes M.,
Geer A. J.,
Haimberger L.,
Healy S. B.,
Hersbach H.,
Hólm E. V.,
Isaksen L.,
Kållberg P.,
Köhler M.,
Matricardi M.,
McNally A. P.,
MongeSanz B. M.,
Morcrette J.J.,
Park B.K.,
Peubey C.,
de Rosnay P.,
Tavolato C.,
Thépaut J.N.,
Vitart F.
Publication year - 2011
Publication title -
quarterly journal of the royal meteorological society
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.744
H-Index - 143
eISSN - 1477-870X
pISSN - 0035-9009
DOI - 10.1002/qj.828
Subject(s) - interim , data assimilation , environmental science , meteorology , climatology , general circulation model , atmospheric circulation , consistency (knowledge bases) , computer science , climate change , geography , geology , oceanography , archaeology , artificial intelligence
ERA‐Interim is the latest global atmospheric reanalysis produced by the European Centre for Medium‐Range Weather Forecasts (ECMWF). The ERA‐Interim project was conducted in part to prepare for a new atmospheric reanalysis to replace ERA‐40, which will extend back to the early part of the twentieth century. This article describes the forecast model, data assimilation method, and input datasets used to produce ERA‐Interim, and discusses the performance of the system. Special emphasis is placed on various difficulties encountered in the production of ERA‐40, including the representation of the hydrological cycle, the quality of the stratospheric circulation, and the consistency in time of the reanalysed fields. We provide evidence for substantial improvements in each of these aspects. We also identify areas where further work is needed and describe opportunities and objectives for future reanalysis projects at ECMWF. Copyright © 2011 Royal Meteorological Society