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The ERA-Interim reanalysis: configuration and performance of the data assimilation system

  1. D. P. Dee1,*,
  2. S. M. Uppala1,
  3. A. J. Simmons1,
  4. P. Berrisford1,
  5. P. Poli1,
  6. S. Kobayashi2,
  7. U. Andrae3,
  8. M. A. Balmaseda1,
  9. G. Balsamo1,
  10. P. Bauer1,
  11. P. Bechtold1,
  12. A. C. M. Beljaars1,
  13. L. van de Berg4,
  14. J. Bidlot1,
  15. N. Bormann1,
  16. C. Delsol1,
  17. R. Dragani1,
  18. M. Fuentes1,
  19. A. J. Geer1,
  20. L. Haimberger5,
  21. S. B. Healy1,
  22. H. Hersbach1,
  23. E. V. Hólm1,
  24. L. Isaksen1,
  25. P. Kållberg3,
  26. M. Köhler1,
  27. M. Matricardi1,
  28. A. P. McNally1,
  29. B. M. Monge-Sanz6,
  30. J.-J. Morcrette1,
  31. B.-K. Park7,
  32. C. Peubey1,
  33. P. de Rosnay1,
  34. C. Tavolato5,
  35. J.-N. Thépaut1,
  36. F. Vitart1

Article first published online: 28 APR 2011

DOI: 10.1002/qj.828

Issue

Quarterly Journal of the Royal Meteorological Society

Quarterly Journal of the Royal Meteorological Society

Volume 137, Issue 656, pages 553–597, April 2011 Part A

Additional Information

How to Cite

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., Monge-Sanz, B. M., Morcrette, J.-J., Park, B.-K., Peubey, C., de Rosnay, P., Tavolato, C., Thépaut, J.-N. and Vitart, F. (2011), The ERA-Interim reanalysis: configuration and performance of the data assimilation system. Q.J.R. Meteorol. Soc., 137: 553–597. doi: 10.1002/qj.828

Author Information

  1. 1

    European Centre for Medium-Range Weather Forecasts, Reading, UK

  2. 2

    Japan Meteorological Agency, Tokyo, Japan

  3. 3

    Swedish Meteorological and Hydrological Institute, Norrköping, Sweden

  4. 4

    European Organisation for the Exploitation of Meteorological Satellites, Darmstadt, Germany

  5. 5

    Department of Meteorology and Geophysics, University of Vienna, Austria

  6. 6

    School of Earth and Environment, University of Leeds, UK

  7. 7

    Korea Meteorological Administration, Seoul, Korea

*ECMWF, Shinfield Park, Reading RG2 9AX, UK.

Publication History

  1. Issue published online: 28 APR 2011
  2. Article first published online: 28 APR 2011
  3. Manuscript Accepted: 23 MAR 2011
  4. Manuscript Revised: 22 MAR 2011
  5. Manuscript Received: 21 JAN 2011

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Keywords:

  • ERA-40;
  • 4D-Var;
  • hydrological cycle;
  • stratospheric circulation;
  • observations;
  • forecast model

Abstract

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

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