Table of Contents

CAMS reanalysis strengths compared to the MACC reanalysis

  • Newer model cycle (CY42R1)
  • Higher temporal resolution

  • Longer 48-forecasts from 0 UTC

  • Chemistry routines included in IFS
  • More chemical analysis fields available
  • All chemistry archived in MARS
  • Newer, reprocessed satellite retrievals assimilated
  • Ozone and aerosols are used interactively in radiation scheme.

CAMS reanalysis strengths compared to the CAMS interim reanalysis

  • Newer model cycle (CY42R1)
  • Higher temporal and spatial resolution

  • Longer 48-forecasts from 0 UTC

  • More chemical analysis fields available
  • Newer, reprocessed satellite retrievals assimilated
  • Ozone and aerosols are used interactively in radiation scheme.

Comparison table

This table highlights major differences between the CAMS reanalysis, the MACC reanalysis and the CAMS interim reanalysis . There are many additional differences, in particular changes to the computation of individual atmospheric parameters (due to the change in the assimilation system from 36r1 and 40r2 to 41r2), differences due to changes in the assimilated atmospheric composition datasets that are not listed here.


MACC reanalysisCAMS interim reanalysisCAMS reanalysis
Exp IDexp=rean, class=mcexp=eac3, class=mcexp=eac4, class=mc
Period covered2003 - 20122003 - 20182003 - present (though only 2003 - Dec 2022)
Production PeriodMarch 2010 – Feb 2012Dec 2014-Dec 2016, then continued in NRTJan 2017 –  Dec 2018, then continued in near real-time
Assimilation systemIFS Cycle 36r1 4D-Var

IFS Cycle 40r2 (2003-2015) 4D-Var

IFS Cycle 41r1 (2016 - ...  ) 4D-Var

IFS Cycle 42r1 4D-Var
Spatial resolution80 km globally (T255), 60 levels to 0.1 hPa110 km globally (T159), 60 levels to 0.1 hPa80 km globally (T255), 60 levels to 0.1 hPa
Output frequency (temporal resolution)

6-hourly analysis fields

3-hourly forecast fields from 0 UTC up to 24 hours

6-hourly analysis fields

3-hourly forecast fields from 6 and 18 UTC up to 12 hours

3-hourly analysis fields

3-hourly forecast fields from 0 UTC up to 48 hours

1-hourly surface forecast fields from 0 UTZ up to 48 hours

Anthropogenic missions

Chemistry species: MACCity (trend: ACCMIP + RCP8.5),

Aerosols: AEROCOM

MACCity (trend: ACCMIP + RCP8.5) & CO emission upgrade Stein et al. (2014) for chemistry and aerosols

MACCity (trend: ACCMIP + RCP8.5) & CO emission upgrade Stein et al. (2014)
Biomass burning emissions

GFED (2003–2008) and

GFAS v0 (2009–2012 )

GFAS v 1.2GFAS v 1.2
Biogenic emissions

Monthly mean VOC emissions for the year 2003 calculated by the MEGAN2.1 model (Guenther et al., 2006) used for the whole period. No interannual variability.


Monthly mean VOC emissions calculated by the MEGAN2.1 model (Guenther et al., 2006) using MERRA reanalysed meteorology (Sindelarova et al., 2014) for the period 2003-2010.  For the remaining years 2011–2017  aclimatology data set of the MEGAN-MACC data was put together.

Monthly mean VOC emissions calculated by the MEGAN model using MERRA reanalysed meteorology (Sindelarova et al., 2014) for the whole period.
Chemistry modulesCTM MOZART3 coupled to the IFS (see Flemming et al. 2009)IFS CB05 (Flemming et al. 2015)  & Cariolle ozone parametrisation in stratosphereIFS CB05 (Flemming et al. 2015, with updates as given in CAMS: Reanalysis data documentation) & Cariolle ozone parametrisation in stratosphere
Aerosol modulesMocrette et al. (2009) Mocrette et al. (2009) plus changes described in Flemming et al. (2017)
See CAMS: Reanalysis data documentation
Input meteorological observationsOPS (stream=DA)

OPS (stream=DCDA)

As in ERA5 (2003-2016?)

OPS for later years

Input atmospheric composition observationsSee Inness et al 2013 and MACC: Reanalysis of global atmospheric composition (2003 - 2012)See Flemming et al. 2017See CAMS reanalysis data documentation
Aerosol used in radiation schemeTegen climatologyTegen climatologyInteractive active aerosols, i.e. aerosol fields from eac4 used in radiation scheme
Ozone used in radiation schemeGEMS climatology

GEMS climatology (2003-2015)

MACC climatology (2016 - ...)

Interactive ozone, i.e. ozone field from eac4 used in radiation scheme
ParametersAerosol fields and CO, HCHO, NO2, O3, SO2 available from MARS, additional chemistry fields from MOZART CTM available as netcdf fields on requestAerosol fields and a limited number of chemistry fields available from MARS.

Full chemistry output archived as type=an every 3 hours (see parameter lists on CAMS: Reanalysis data documentation)

Stratospheric chemistryYesNo, but Cariolle ozone parametrisation in stratosphere and stratospheric O3 available.No, but Cariolle ozone parametrisation in stratosphere and stratospheric O3 available.
Product main page

MACC Reanalysis of global atmospheric composition (2003 - 2012)

contact Copernicus HelpdeskCAMS: Reanalysis data documentation
Technical documentation

Inness et al 2013: The MACC reanalysis: an 8 yr data set of atmospheric composition

MACC: Reanalysis of global atmospheric composition (2003 - 2012)

Flemming et al. 2017: The CAMS interim Reanalysis of Carbon Monoxide, Ozone and Aerosol for 2003–2015

CAMS: Reanalysis data documentation

This document has been produced in the context of the Copernicus Atmosphere Monitoring Service (CAMS).

The activities leading to these results have been contracted by the European Centre for Medium-Range Weather Forecasts, operator of CAMS on behalf of the European Union (Delegation Agreement signed on 11/11/2014 and Contribution Agreement signed on 22/07/2021). All information in this document is provided "as is" and no guarantee or warranty is given that the information is fit for any particular purpose.

The users thereof use the information at their sole risk and liability. For the avoidance of all doubt , the European Commission and the European Centre for Medium - Range Weather Forecasts have no liability in respect of this document, which is merely representing the author's view.