Data assimilation

Data assimilation are methods that combine measurements of the climate and environment, such as temperature and wind, with models. Through this process, more accurate descriptions of a current state are produced, which in turn will form the basis for more secure forecasts.

The combination of climate and environmental data and models is important for many research fields, such as forecasting of marine conditions and changes. The model calculations are never completely accurate, but by including (assimilating) measurements in the models, it will be possible to reduce the difference between a forecast and the actual state of the sea, ice, or air. Through the use of data assimilation as an improvement method, weather forecasts have become much more reliable, although there is room to improve the forecasts further. We are developing new methods to streamline the use of data assimilation in operational forecasting, and for the reconstruction of past climates.

The Nansen Center has a central role in developing and using so-called ensemble methods in data assimilation. Ensemble Kalman Filter – the method was developed by us and is used in our ocean, sea-ice and climate models. Today, the method is used to support operational forecasting and for the reconstruction of past climates. Data assimilation can be used for all types of model improvements where measurement data is included. It can apply to everything from information on soil moisture or the optics of an extra-large telescope – the possibilities are endless and extend far beyond climate research.

For more information, contact research leader Laurent Bertino.

News

Products and services

Forecasting ocean conditionsOcean conditions are measured through the acquisition of physical data on ocean currents, temperature, salinity, sea surface height, and sea-ice conditions. Such data is important for both research and other sectors, such as knowledge-based and sustainable ocean management. The data must be processed before it can be converted into correct information.
Software packages for data assimilationWe have data assimilation software packages available for free use.
Ocean conditions in past timesA reanalysis is a reconstruction of the past. Reanalyses can be made for different purposes, for example to estimate future ocean conditions by looking at what changes have taken place.
Past climateClimate models can be used to create reconstructions and studies of what the climate was like in the past.
Sea-ice forecastsThe sea ice in the Arctic Ocean affects both wildlife and human activities in the region. We have developed two model tools that produce forecasts for the Arctic and North Atlantic, TOPAZ and neXtSIM-F.

Projects

Client: Research Council of Norway
Project owner: Nansen Center
Project leader at the Nansen Center: Laurent Bertino
Client: European Commission
Project owner: Plymouth Marine Laboratory
Project leader at the Nansen Center: Laurent Bertino
Client: Schmidt Futures
Project owner: French National Centre for Scientific Research
Project leader at the Nansen Center: Einar Ólason
Client: Mercator Ocean International
Project owner: Nansen Center
Project leader at the Nansen Center: Laurent Bertino
Client: Mercator Ocean International
Project owner: Nansen Center
Project leader at the Nansen Center: Anton Korosov
Client: European Commission
Project owner: Nansen Center
Project leader at the Nansen Center: Laurent Bertino