Ensemble-based data assimilation

On 10-12 April 2006, researchers assembled at Marble Falls, Texas, to discuss advances in ensemble-based data assimilation for state and parameter estimation in numerical weather prediction models ranging from convective to global in scale. Participants agreed that the Ensemble Kalman filter (EnKF) is a maturing assimilation technique for numerical weather prediction (NWP) across a range of scales. Beyond the evident scientific progress, the workshop was also remarkable for the breadth of applications and forecast models considered and because all of the EnKF systems discussed at the workshop were developed by small research groups.