CADRE is partnering with NOAA’s EPIC (Earth Prediction Innovation Center) to host an annual in-person 3-day training event. Details of the year-1 CADRE-EPIC DA training event follow, and click here to jump down to the tentative detailed agenda.
Location: CIRA commons building, Foothill campus, Colorado State University, Fort Collins
Dates: June 4-6 2025 (for year 1 training)
Content: Basic data assimilation (DA) methods theory lectures provided by DA experts, and hands-on exercises with toy models culminating in a larger exercise with the UFS-JEDI.
Who should consider applying: Students or professionals with an interest in learning the basic concepts and mathematics associated with data assimilation, and who are interested in applying it to prediction problems in atmospheric and earth system science. Audience members may include undergraduates or grad students completely new to DA; grad students who plan to work in DA, but are just getting started; grad students with experience in DA, but who want to learn JEDI; and NOAA employees and other professionals who want to learn DA and JEDI.
What is unique about this training: What is unique about this training compared to other data assimilation workshops is the culminating experience focused on UFS-JEDI, the data assimilation code to be used at NOAA and other operational centers. In addition, the instructors are leaders in both data assimilation research and education. Speakers will also include guest lecturers, including data assimilation practitioners from government agencies.
Prerequisite knowledge: No prior experience in data assimilation is needed. Knowledge of computer programming, basic statistics and some linear algebra are recommended. A brief review of the underlying mathematics and statistics can be provided as a pre-read. The workshop is targeted toward graduate students or advanced undergraduates, as well as professionals who seek to expand their knowledge of these topics. Some experience with atmospheric or earth system phenomena and predictability is helpful, but not required.
Format: In order to facilitate a hands-on experience both through presentations and running code, the workshop will be offered in person only.
Number of Participants: The number of participants for Summer 2025 is limited due to space limitations at the venue. Participants will be from the CADRE consortium, from NOAA, and about 35 will be external participants. Note that CADRE plans to offer data assimilation training in 2026 and 2027 as well, so there will be additional options to participate for those unable to attend the first event.
Travel Support: CADRE can provide travel support for up to 30 student participants; details to follow.
Announcement flyer: click here
Draft program:
Day 1:
8:15am — Registration
8:45am — Introduction to the Workshop
9:00am — Basic Concepts of DA
9:30am — Introduction to Bayes Theorem and Derivation of DA Methods
10:30am — Break
11:00am — Kalman and Ensemble Kalman Filter (EnKF) Theory and Applications, including Localization and Inflation
12:00am — Q&A on EnKF
12:15pm — Lunch
1:30pm — Computer Exercise on EnKF
2:30pm — Start JEDI Land DA Application: System setup and prerequisite library installation
3:30pm — Break
4:00pm — Setting up the JEDI environment: Spack Stack, JEDI Bundle, Containerization
5:00pm — Close, with reminder on knowledge check
Day 2:
9:00am — Variational Methods (3- and 4-DVAR) Theory and Applications, including Adjoints
10:00am — Q&A on Variational Methods and Knowledge Checks
10:15am — Break
10:45am — Computer Exercise on Variational Methods
12:00am — Lunch
1:00pm. — Hybrid DA Methods
1:30pm — Q&A on Hybrid DA Methods
1:45pm — Computer Exercise on Hybrid DA
2:45pm — Break
3:15pm — Continue JEDI Land DA Application: Workflows structure review and configuration management tools
4:15pm — Interactive session to run JEDI Land DA Workflow System
5:15pm — Close, with reminder on knowledge check
Day 3:
9:00am. — Nonlinear DA Methods (Particle Filters, Particle Flow Filters)
10:00am. — Q&A on Nonlinear DA and Knowledge Checks
10:15am. — Break
10:45am. — Computer Exercise on Nonlinear DA
12:00am — Lunch
1:00pm — Data Assimilation and Machine Learning
2:00pm — The UFS-JEDI Regional Data Assimilation System: Science and Status
2:30pm — The UFS-JEDI Global Data Assimilation System: Science and Status
3:00pm — Break
3:30pm — The UFS-JEDI Land Surface Data Assimilation System: Science and Status
4:30pm — Summary of JEDI Land DA Application: Post-processing, and Analysis of Experiment Outputs
5:30pm — Closing and Adjourn