A Framework for Global Cloud Resolving OSSEs

Motivation: The larger vision of an Earth System Digital Twin (ESDT) set forth in the AIST solicitation calls for integrated Earth science frameworks that mirror the earth by a proxy digital construct that includes high resolution earth system models and data assimilation systems along with integrated set of analytic tools to enable the next generation of science discoveries and evidence-based decision making. Among the many applications of these frameworks is the design of future observing systems, from the design of space mission architectures, to the exploration of the possibilities that the new observing system offers to science and applications, well before launch. A required element of an ESDT is a modeling capability that is able to represent the Earth climate system at very high resolutions, enabling realistic simulations of future observing systems and innovative approaches for advancing Earth science. Objectives: The main objective of this proposal is to enable global, cloud-resolving Observing System Simulation Experiments (OSSEs) by addressing key computational challenges that prevent existing technologies from scaling to the spatial resolutions that will be needed by the end of decade. Among the many beneficiaries, are NASA's Earth System Observatory (ESO) missions currently in development. Technical Approach: To this end, we propose to design, implement, and deploy a user-friendly framework for performing global cloud-resolving Observing System Simulation Experiments (OSSEs). Storage-limitations require traditional OSSE systems to produce output at relatively low temporal resolutions that are inadequate to resolve processes of interest (e.g., convection.) This new framework is based on a number of key innovations: 1. We extend the parallel I/O capabilities in the GEOS model by including on-line sampling of geophysical variables, allowing the system to achieve very high temporal resolution that is only limited by the model timestep. This capability allow access to all model geophysical variables and diagnostics interpolated to specific geospatial locations and times: ground stations, aircraft trajectories, satellite swaths, etc. 2. Unlike traditional OSSE system where a Nature Run (NR) is performed once and a pre-determined set of output fields is written to disk, we adopt a 2 phase approach. In the first phase, the model is run with very limited output, except for frequent checkpoints, and a number of browse product for case selection. On a second phase, the model is rerun from spun up checkpoints of interest with output sampled at user specified locations using the sampling capility in 1.) 3. Our framework will establish a flexible Application Programming Interface (API) for custom geolocation samplers and for derivation of additional geophysical quantities from model variables. These can be dynamically loaded without any need to recompile the base model, allowing customization for a number of observing systems. This OSSE framework leverages the architecture of the open source Goddard Earth Observing System (GEOS) model which is based upon the Earth System Modeling Framework (ESMF), an ESTO initiated project. This architecture greatly simplifies accessing and efficiently interpolating model geophysical quantities to at arbitrary geospatial positions. As demonstration of the power of such system, we will develop measurement simulators for a number of observing systems of interest: representative portions of the NWP fleet of satellites, PACE, ground observations and airborne measurements. Relevance: The proposed effort directly responds to the AIST solicitation by developing investigative technologies to facilitate 'what-if' investigations inherent to ESDT systems. Our framework will enable global cloud-resolving OSSEs that significantly improve the exploration of variant observing systems well before launch.

Advance Earth system science knowledge through the Identification, develop, and demonstrate innovative information systems technologies

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