HYGEOS contributes to the upgrade of the CAMS global real-time data assimilation and forecasting system.

The key element of this upgrade is the addition of full stratospheric chemistry. It is done using the Belgian Assimilation System for Chemical ObsErvations (BASCOE) scheme, which was developed by BIRA/IASB to study and monitor the chemical composition of the Earth’s stratosphere. The system is now able to forecast not only stratospheric dynamics and ozone, but also all the chemical species which control ozone concentration in the stratosphere.

This important achievement is a result of continuous R&D efforts and of a long-term and close collaboration between ECMWF and its CAMS contractors working on the Integrated Forecasting System development, led by HYGEOS and KNMI, working on inventory-based emission datasets, led by TNO, and working on the evaluation of the (pre-)operational systems, led by KNMI.

Other important elements of this upgrade are detailed in the CAMS News .