The National Center for Atmospheric Research in Boulder, CO

What is a climate model?

Modeling Centers

These climate models usually take place in modeling centers such as NCAR in Boulder, CO (as pictured on the left). What are modeling centers? It could be described as a research center specilizing in a specific area of science that uses models within their work, to further their understanding of their focus. In addition, some of these centers are open to the public, as they aim to inform the public of their knowledge and findings, often through interactive learning. Some of the most well known centers in the US are the NCAR Mesa Laboratory in Boulder, CO and the NOAA Geophysical Fluid Dynamics Lab (GFDL) in Princeton, NJ. The NCAR specializes in atmospheric research while the GFDL focuses their research on atmosphere, ocean, land, and ice behavior. A majority of these modeling centers specially aim to develop climate models as a tool of prediction for future climate patterns concerning every aspect of the earth.

Climate Model Centers

NCAR (National Center for Atmospheric Research) in Boulder, CO

A federally funded research center through the NSF, the NCAR is a research center that is open to the public, as it is an educational center. It contains 8 labs; ACOM ( Atmospheric Chemistry Observations and Modeling ) where their main objective is to further develop understanding of modelings predictive capabilities for atmospheric composition and it relation to earth 

NOAA

An agency wity many interests within the climate modeling world, they focus on earth’s climate and USAs GDP. It often includes research program labs, science centers, and prioritizes research that aims to accurately and effectively predict global climate and weather patterns.

NOAA Environmental Modeling Center ( College Park, MD)

  • Use mathematical modeling to predict weather based on the current conditions 
  • Sponsored by the department of commerce 
  • Use mathematical modeling to predict weather based on the current conditions 
  • Sponsored by the department of commerce 
CSIRO Modeling And Simulations Team