Mission Statement: To research underlying uncertainties in models and physics and to improve the delivery of climate science

PSMI GOALS

1. Reduce major systematic errors and biases in GCMs used for climate variability prediction and climate change projection
   • Climate variability prediction includes subseasonal-to-decadal timescale prediction and simulations. Beyond decadal timescales, simulations must use uncertain forcings (e.g. for anthropogenic CO2) and are described as projections. Systematic errors and biases of concern are those that exist in multiple climate models. Major errors are those which have a large impact on climate simulations. Established examples include: representation of stratocumulus, eastern ocean boundary SST, excessive cold tongue, double ITCZ, weak tropical variability, storm track placement and variations, and mid-latitude air-sea interaction.
2. Use process studies to quantify climatically important processes and to provide guidance for extending long-term in situ and satellite observations
   • In addition to their primary function of improving understanding of key processes, process studies should be designed to leave a continuing legacy for the overall climate observational record. This legacy can include: (a) guidance for placement of long-term sparse observing platforms; (b) calibration of satellite products, enabling extension of the climate record into the past through existing satellite data.
3. Ensure that process studies lead to climate model improvement
   • Many field programs explore climatically important processes, combining in situ and remote observations on a variety of scales. Combined with process models, these can develop understanding of the process. Our goal is to ensure that this understanding translates into improved climate GCMs. That may involve: consultation on process study design, recommendation for supplemental modeling and/or field activities, and guidance for climate process teams.
4. Facilitate collaborations with other national and international partners such as international CLIVAR, GEWEX, OCCC.
   • We welcome and value the opportunity to collaborate with other programs on modeling and observational activities of mutual interest and recognize that these opportunities can result in leveraged resources and added scientific benefits.

Terms of Reference

• Review, prioritize, and coordinate US plans for relevant process studies, CPTs and other investigations that lead to improved parameterizations of critical climate processes, better quantification of climate model uncertainties, and improved climate model fidelity as necessary to achieve the goals of CLIVAR.
• Develop and encourage mechanisms (e.g. community workshops, commissioned studies, Working Groups) to further the development and implementation of timely and relevant process studies and a research strategy, including filling gaps. Advise on the adequacy and effectiveness of Working Group plans and their implementation.
• Guide, assess, and coordinate efforts to improve utilization of process-oriented research and limited observation campaigns in parameterization and model development (especially in national and community model activities) through the use of CPT and similar frameworks.
• Advise US CLIVAR on research priorities, identify research gaps, and develop suitable milestones to promote funding opportunities. Help foster and coordinate joint agency participation and support of relevant activities.
• Coordinate with other national and international activities to develop integrated, efficient, and effective overall international plans and activities.
• Publicize accomplishments and demonstrated progress in understanding of critical processes, characterizing model uncertainty, and improving the fidelity of climate models and their subcomponents.
• Liaise with other US CLIVAR panels and Working Groups to insure model process studies and model improvement needs are considered in their efforts.

The entire PSMI Strategic Plan can be found here.

References

Meetings

U.S. CLIVAR Summit July 2007 (Annapolis, Maryland)

Presentations from the summit are provided:

• Status of CLIMODE
• CPT report
• Next generation CPTs
• Data Stewardship
• DIMES update
• Drought and Decadal Variability
• EPIC update
• KESS update
• Aerosol/cloud microphysics
• Best practices for process studies
• Action Items for 2007-08

U.S. CLIVAR Summit July 2006 (Breckenridge, Colorado)

Presentations from the summit are provided:

• CLIMODE
• KESS
• MESA
• NAME
• VOCALS
• Synthesis of Data Sets
• PSMI report on last year efforts
• PSMIP-POS Recommended Working Groups
• Concluding report

Tropical Biases Workshop - Information on the "Correcting Tropical Biases Workshop" held 8-9 September 2005 can be found here.

U.S. CLIVAR Summit July 2005 (Keystone, Colorado)

The PSMI panel met in Keystone, Colorado to discuss ongoing and future panel activities. Presentations made to the panel are provided below.

• VOCALS presentation