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What is OpenIFS

The OpenIFS programme at ECMWF aims to encourage research and teaching into numerical weather prediction from medium range to seasonal timescales.

We provide academic and research institutions with an easy-to-use version of ECMWF IFS (Integrated Forecasting System) (the OpenIFS model). The OpenIFS model provides the full forecast capability of IFS, supporting software and documentation but without the data assimilation system. OpenIFS is a global model.

OpenIFS has a support team at ECMWF for technical assistance but limited resources for detailed scientific assistance.

About OpenIFS provides more information.

The OpenIFS model and accompanying software is intended for use on computers external to ECMWF, though member state users with time on ECMWF computers can use ECMWF systems.

Getting started

Depsite the name, OpenIFS is not open-source. Use of the OpenIFS models requires an OpenIFS license to be granted by ECMWF. The license is free and once a license is granted, download access is provided to the source code and accompanying files and tools. Full installation instructions are provided on this website. Note that other software packages are required to be installed. More information is provided on the following links:

• Request a license : How to apply for a license.
• Licensing : OpenIFS licensing, distribution & contribution agreement.
• Prerequisites : Software tools/libraries assumed to be available on host systems.
• OpenIFS User Guides: How to download, install and run OpenIFS.