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The ERA5 re-analysis data, from 1978 until 2019, went live in January 2019. Resolution is 31km compared to 80km for ERA-Interim. Late in 2019 ERA5 re-analysis data from 1950-1978 will also be released. Re-forecasts, which currently use ERA-Interim analyses as the basis for their initialisation, will start using ERA5 analyses for this purpose with cycle 46r1. (ERA5 versus ERA-Interim)
- Can 1 year of re-forecasts be made available immediately with each new cycle ?
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ECMWF tabled a motion to Council in late June 2018. seeking approval for these to be disseminated for a fee. This motion was passed and the data was first made available in October 2018. (licenses for ECMWF data)
- Can the IFS model issue issue of snow on the ground not melting quickly enough be fixed ?
This is an active area of research; a new 5 layer snow scheme has proven beneficial in addressing this and other near surface weather-related issues, although further tests are still needed before operational implementation becomes viable. (Model issues)
- Dissatisfaction in some quarters with the ECMWF method of computing CAPE
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Dynamic aerosol-moisture interaction is an important missing link. Parallel work on the atmospheric composition version of the IFS (C-IFS) should in the long term (years) help address this issue. In the meantime we continue to investigate cases and document findings. Users should also note that some C-IFS output is now available in ecCharts which can help, for example, with the prediction of reduced visibility in duststorm/sandstorm situations. (ecCharts update that included CAMS data e.g. for dust)
- Winds wanted at more near-surface levels, for wind energy applications
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This long-standing problem is being addressed via new cloud and map-drawing technologies (one component is similar to the tiles used by google maps). The first update for users is expected late in 2019We plan to advertise to users a pre-operational version of this at the June 2019 UEF meeting.
- Request for variables on the "PV=1.5" level
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Operational fire danger products are produced at ECMWF as part of the Copernicus Emergency Management Service, in the European Forest Fire Information System (EFFIS) . Drought-related products are not being actively developed at the current time, due to resource limitations. (EFFIS)
- Better MARS documentation wanted
ECMWF reviews regularly the MARS user documentation. A more substantial review of the MARS request language is planned for this year as part of consolidating the MARS and Dissemination request languages. (MARS user documentation)
- Faster MARS access wanted
ECMWF has increased capacity with new disk technology. Some data, for example re-analyses, can be accessed more quickly via another route - the CDS (Climate Data Store). Users are encouraged to use this channel wherever possible. (downloading ERA5 data through the CDS)