Med-CORDEX phase 3: Ocean stand-alone modelling

Med-CORDEX phase 3: Ocean stand-alone modelling

As the only coordinated initiative delivering ocean variables from regional climate models to the IPCC-AR6 interactive atlas, Med-CORDEX has traditionally fostered collaboration among ocean model developers and users since its inception. Now entering a new era centered on fully coupled climate modelling, the initiative has launched an Ocean Stand-alone Modelling activity to provide a controlled framework for evaluating, understanding, and improving ocean model performance, as well as assessing the contribution of ocean-driven processes to regional climate signals. Building on the legacy of the Ocean Model Intercomparison Project (OMIP; Griffies et al. 2016), this activity complements ongoing Med-CORDEX efforts through five main objectives:

• establish standardized protocols for systematic model inter-comparison and assess the robustness of key physical mechanisms;
• identify the origins and consequences of shared model biases and uncertainties;
• test new parameterizations and provide a foundation for improving model physics;
• evaluate the benefits and challenges of emerging machine-learning and hybrid modelling approaches;
• broaden engagement with research groups studying ocean processes and strengthen community-wide collaboration.

This activity will also serve as a hub for communication among modelling groups, promoting the exchange of technical implementations and best practices, including model tuning and spinup strategies and approaches for coupling with other Earth-system components.

Points of Contact : Gabriel Jordà (IEO), John Karagiorgos (UoA)