This 4-day intensive course on advanced data-assimilation methods will be given by members of the Data Assimilation Research Centre and the National Centre for Earth Observation. The course will run from Tuesday 18th February to Friday 21st February and will provide an introduction to all data-assimilation methods used in numerical weather prediction, including the latest developments. All methods will be derived from a common framework to provide an overview of the assumptions and hence applicability of the different methods. The course also provides hands-on computer practicals to see the methods in action and gain a better understanding of their working. For those unfamiliar with data assimilation, or those who are keen to develop a deeper understanding of data assimilation methods, this course is a solid preparation for the main Data Assimilation ECMWF course held on 24-28th February 2020.

Link to all DARC courses

An overview of the subjects covered is given below, including some supplementary material covering the basic mathematics. A map of Reading, Whiteknights campus can be found here.

• Introduction to Data Assimilation
• Co-variances
• Variational Methods: Theory and practical issues
• Computer practicals Variational methods
• Ensemble Kalman Filter Methods: Theory and practical issues
• Computer practicals Ensemble Kalman filters
• Non-linear data assimilation and Particle Filters: Theory and practical issues
• Computer practicals Particle filters
• Hybrid Methods: Theory and practical issues
• Computer practicals Hybrid methods
• When to use which method

Campus map (pdf)
Setting-up for the computer practicals (pdf)
Practicals – variational and ensemble Kalman filter (zip)
Practicals – hydrids (zip)
Practicals – Bayes theorem and particle filters (zip)
Maths primer (pdf)
Useful linear algebra (pdf)
Inner and outer products (pdf)
Covariances (pdf)
Basic statistical concepts (pdf)
Notation (pdf)
List of suggested references (pdf)

The course is a combination of lectures and computer practicals.

Download the pdf timetable below. Lecture/practical material will be made available via links on this timetable in due course.  Handouts will be provided by the lecturers.

pdf timetable

Participation in the course is free. To apply for a place, please send an email to Amos Lawless (a.s.lawless@reading.ac.uk), with a short description of your current research interests (around 50-100 words) by Friday 17th January 2019. Applications will be looked at as they arrive, until all the places have been allocated.