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5-6 December, 2013
George Mason University
Fairfax, VA

Aim of the Workshop

Variations in land surface state can have a profound influence on weather and short-term climate. Land surface models are representations of the processes involving fluxes of energy, water and momentum between the atmosphere and the land surface, as well as land states like soil moisture, snow cover, heat content and vegetation. Land surface modeling (LSM) is, therefore, a critical component for both NWP and sub-seasonal climate prediction (SSCP). COLA and KIAPS are collaborating to develop a set of codes for LSM and NWP that may be interesting and useful to a wider audience. The workshop will address the needs for LSM in the context of real-time NWP and SSCP, with emphasis on the following questions:

  • What is the role and importance of the representation of interactions among different spatial scales, including those unresolved by the atmospheric model? Do LSMs need to include scale-aware parameterizations for incorporation in both NWP and SSCP systems?
  • What is the role and importance of interactions between the land surface and the planetary boundary layer during the course of the diurnal cycle? How do these interactions manifest on sub-seasonal time scales?
  • What is the role and importance of land surface memory (persistence of anomalies) and land-atmosphere feedbacks in the transition between NWP time scales and (sub- seasonal) climate time scales?

Workshop flier


White Paper

Venue

The workshop was held at The Mason Inn Conference Center and Hotel located on the Fairfax campus of George Mason University.


Agenda (with links to presentations)

Abstracts

List of Participants

Group Photo

Lodging

A block of rooms has been reserved at the The Mason Inn, 4352 Mason Pond Drive, (703) 865-5705, or (877) 296-6695.

For those who want to stay longer, you may make your own arrangements with the hotel. Please mention the MJO Workshop when book your hotel stay.


Transportation

The Fairfax campus is easily accessible from:

  • Washington Dulles International Airport (IAD) - 14 miles
  • Washington Reagan National Airport (DCA) - 19 miles
  • Washington's Union Station (Amtrak) - 22 miles

George Mason University operates complimentary scheduled shuttle to and from the Vienna Metro stop based on the University's weekday and weekend schedules. For up to date shuttle travel times and stops please visit http://shuttle.gmu.edu/masontometro.html.

Driving directions and maps