In June 2014 ECMWF introduced a new portal for interaction with its forecast users. The portal contains several sections covering topics about known forecast issues, planned changes to the forecast system, new products, etc.
https://confluence.ecmwf.int/display/FCST/Forecast+User+Portal
New variables in the model and layers in ecCharts
Task #1
Find in the Forecast User Home portal the information about new model output variables implemented in the latest model upgrade (cy43r1) in 22nd November 2016.
Task #2
New variables and facilities were added to ecCharts ( https://www.ecmwf.int/en/forecasts/eccharts ) recently those include SST, visibility, global nadir‐view simulated satellite image, Cloud base height, ceiling, etc
Click on the link above and generate a plot for visibility, either HRES or ENS (probability). Generate a similar chart but for the simulated satellite image.
To learn about ecCharts updates (new fields and facilities) go to 'Quick search' (top right) of Confluence's page and type 'ecCharts updates' and select 'November 2016' to see the list of new parameters.
Verification
Task #3
Every model upgrade is thoroughly evaluate to assess the meteorological impact. Comparison between the IFS cycle 43r1 and IFS cycle 41r2 for HRES can be found in the scorecard.
Search in https://confluence.ecmwf.int/display/FCST/Forecast+User+Portal for the scorecard of the latest model upgrade.
Task #4
Learn about the skill of the extended range forecast for temperature for days 12-18 over Europe. What about the skill for the precipitation?
go to the link https://www.ecmwf.int/en/forecasts/charts and search from 'Verification' under 'Extended range' (middle column)
Find similar information but for the ENS (medium-range) for temperature.
Task #5
Each year a report is released with the evaluation of the ECMWF forecasts (including model upgrades) to the public. Find what is the latest report (number of the technical memorandum).
To access the full list of memoranda available at the website, go to the link http://www.ecmwf.int/en/research/publications and select 'List of Technical Memoranda by year and number'
Copernicus CAMS and C3S portals
Copernicus Atmospheric Monitoring Service → http://atmosphere.copernicus.eu/
Task #6
From the link above look for 'Catalogue' → Aerosol Forecasts'. Display the latest forecast for the 'Dust aerosol optical depth 550 nm'
Did you know that you can access to Dust aerosol optical depth 550 nm and other products from CAMS using ecCharts (https://www.ecmwf.int/en/forecasts/eccharts)?
Copernicus Climate Change Service → http://climate.copernicus.eu/
Task #7
From the link above select 'Products' → 'Seasonal forecasts'. Find who are the current providers to C3S. Browse through the seasonal products
From 'Products' select 'Average surface air temperature monthly maps'. Identify where was the warmest place in Continental Europe for December 2016.