Brief Description

From UKCA

Climate Models used by UKCA

The UKCA model runs within the Hadley Centre version of the Unified Model. There are a number of different versions of this climate model at a number of resolutions which are used for UKCA development.

UM Version Model Horizontal Resolution Vertical Levels Model Top Scheme Used
6.1 HadGAM1a N48 (2.5°×3.75°) L60 ~84km Tropospheric Chemistry
6.1 HadGAM2 N48 L60 ~84km Stratospheric Chemistry
6.6.4 HadGEM2-ES N96 L38 ~40km Hadley Centre Earth System Model
7.1 HadGEM3-A N96 (1.25°×1.875°) L38 ~40km Tropospheric Chemistry
7.3 HadGEM3-A r2.0 N96 L38 ~40km Tropospheric Chemistry
7.3 HadGEM3-A r2.0 N96 L63 ~40km Tropospheric Chemistry
7.3 HadGEM3-A r2.0 N96 L85   85km Stratospheric Chemistry
7.3 HadGEM3-A r2.0 N48 L60 ~84km Stratospheric Chemistry
7.3 HadGEM3-AO r2.0 N48 L60 ~84km QUEST Earth System Model

UKCA: Currently Available Chemistry Schemes

UKCA Development Timeline

Short-Term Development

  • Stratospheric Chemistry at UM7.3 HadGEM3-A (N96L85 and N48L60) - Luke Abraham
  • ASAD Flux Diagnostics at UM7.3 - Luke Abraham
  • Chemistry of Stratosphere and Troposphere - CheST at UM7.3 - Alex Archibald

Medium-Term Development

  • HadGEM3-AO UKCA - Luke Abraham

Long-Term Development

  • Coupled UKCA Stratosphere-Troposphere Chemistry with MODE

UKCA: Model Outline

Development of UKCA consists of the following subprojects:

Tropospheric model development

Stratospheric model development

Aerosols

  • New aerosol species and microphysics
  • Aerosol chemistry

New features

  • Coupled chemistry, aerosols and climate model
  • Based on new dynamics
  • Combined troposphere-stratosphere chemistry
  • Improved aerosol microphysics and chemistry
  • Capability to interact with surface, radiation and biosphere
  • Modular structure