Coupled data assimilation and parameter estimation in coupled ocean–atmosphere models: a review

Abstract

Recent studies have started to explore coupled data assimilation (CDA) in coupled ocean–atmosphere models because of the great potential of CDA to improve climate analysis and seamless weather–climate prediction on weekly-to-decadal time scales in advanced high-resolution coupled models. In this review article, we briefly introduce the concept of CDA before outlining its potential for producing balanced and coherent weather–climate reanalysis and minimizing initial coupling shocks. We then describe approaches to the implementation of CDA and review progress in the development of various CDA methods, notably weakly and strongly coupled data assimilation. We introduce the method of coupled model parameter estimation (PE) within the CDA framework and summarize recent progress. After summarizing the current status of the research and applications of CDA-PE, we discuss the challenges and opportunities in high-resolution CDA-PE and nonlinear CDA-PE methods. Finally, potential solutions are laid out.