Large-Scale Atmosphere–Ocean Dynamics: Introduction and Scientific Background

Because of the importance and excitement of recent developments in research on large scale atmosphere-ocean dynamics, in 1996 an intense programme was held at the Isaac Newton Institute in Cambridge bringing together about 300 scientists from a wide range of specialisms. The articles in these two volumes consist of reviews, up to date research findings, and challenging statements about problems for future research. These are based on presentations made during the programme and more recent developments in the research, resulting from the vigorous and continuing interactions between many of the participants. Numerical weather prediction and ocean modelling are successful applications of mathematical physics and numerical analysis. Their scientific methodology is essentially reductionist, because it involves reducing the calculations of a complex environmental process into constituent parts, each of which can be understood scientifically and modelled (Hunt 1999). This involves combining quantitative representation at every point in space and time of physical processes, governing phase changes, radiation and molecular diffusion, with the mathematical modelling of fluid mechanics on a wide range of scales from thousands of kilometres to centimetres. In order that the predictions cover all the aspects of practical importance, as well as increasing their accuracy year on year, regular improvements are needed in the models of key processes and mechanisms; some are well understood such as phase changes and low amplitude waves, but others such as radiation and turbulence can only be approximately parameterised or modelled, using the latest research as it develops.