Study the MPAS model
Dates: June 23-27 2025
Location: University of St Andrews, UK
The National Centre for Atmospheric Science (NCAS, UK) and the National Science Foundation – National Center for Atmospheric Research (NSF NCAR, USA) are delighted to announce an upcoming MPAS-Atmosphere and MPAS-JEDI course in St Andrews, UK, June 2025. This is a unique learning experience and an exciting opportunity to discover a state-of-the-art atmospheric model and data assimilation software, taught by the people that wrote and developed them.
The tutorials will consist of live lectures, questions and answer sessions, and practical sessions where participants will gain experience building, configuring and running the MPAS-Atmosphere model. The primary audience for these tutorials are new or beginning users of MPAS-Atmosphere. (Basic knowledge of atmospheric science and numerical modeling as well as experience working within a Unix computing environment are required for the tutorial.)
The Model for Prediction Across Scales (MPAS-A) is the successor to the Weather Research and Forecasting (WRF) model and is a collaborative project for developing atmosphere, ocean and other earth-system simulation components for use in climate, regional climate and weather studies. It is ideally suited to modern high-performance computing applications. It employs state-of-the-art numerics and software engineering.
MPAS-JEDI is the global / regional-unified data assimilation system for MPAS-A based upon the Joint Effort for Data assimilation Integration (JEDI). The MPAS-JEDI tutorial will consist of instructional lectures and hands-on practicals.
Key features:
- You will be taught by staff from NSF NCAR, world-leading experts in the use of these systems.
- You will gain hands-on experience using MPAS-A and MPAS-JEDI in a friendly and supportive atmosphere.
- You will have the opportunity to network with internationally-renowned scientists.
Attendees have the opportunity, as part of enrolling on the course, to participate in a one-day workshop for WRF and MPAS users and developers.
How to apply
Applications open
Subscribe to our Reach for the Skies mailing list to be kept in the loop about upcoming courses.
Learning outcomes
Specific topics to be covered include:
MPAS-A
MPAS-JEDI:
Prerequisites
The course is aimed at new or beginner users of MPAS-A and MPAS-JEDI.
Basic knowledge of atmospheric science and numerical modelling, as well as experience working in a Unix computing environment are required.
Although prior experience with the WRF-ARW model is not necessary, this course will include material to aid modellers in transitioning work from WRF- ARW to MPAS-A.
Teaching staff
The course is led by leading scientists from the US National Center for Atmospheric Research:
Course schedule
MPAS-A Tutorial: Monday morning – Wednesday lunchtime (2.5 days)
MPAS-JEDI Tutorial: Wednesday afternoon – Thursday afternoon (1.5 days)
The course will combine lectures by staff from the US National Center for Atmospheric
Research with hands-on practical sessions, where participants will gain experience building,
configuring and running MPAS-A and MPAS-JEDI.
MPAS/WRF Workshop: Friday (1 day)
The half-day workshop provides a forum for both users and developers to present their work with either the WRF or MPAS modelling system, and to discuss issues related to the model development and applications. A place at the Workshop is included for anyone booking a place on either of the Tutorials.
Course Meal: Wednesday evening
All attendees are invited to a celebratory dinenr at Forgan’s. This is included in the registration for the MPAS-Atmospheres or MPAS-Jedi Tutorials.
Workshop Keynote Talks
To be confirmed
Cost
There is a charge to attend the MPAS-Atmosphere and MPAS-Jedi Tutorials and MPAS/WRF Workshop. This charge contributes to the cost of teaching, facilities, refreshments and all activities. You will be asked to pay for your place on the course via the University of Leeds online store once you have been offered a place.
MPAS-Atmosphere Tutorial: Monday-Wednesday lunchtime (2.5 days)
Full Academic Rate (tutorial & workshop) £773
Educational Discounted Rate (tutorial & workshop) £521
May be available to PhD students or post-doctoral researchers not eligible for the subsidised rate.
NCAS Subsidised Rate (tutorial & workshop) £277
UK & EU students attending UK universities or students supervised by NCAS staff
MPAS-Jedi Tutorial: Wednesday lunchtime-Thursday (1.5 days)
Full Academic Rate (tutorial & workshop) £491
Educational Discounted Rate (tutorial & workshop) £331
May be available to PhD students or post-doctoral researchers not eligible for the subsidised rate.
NCAS Subsidised Rate (tutorial & workshop) £179
UK & EU students attending UK universities or students supervised by NCAS staff
MPAS/WRF Workshop – Friday
All delegates £43
A place at the Workshop is included for anyone booking a place on either of the Tutorials, the registration fee applies to anyone wishing to attend the Workshop without registering for a Tutorial.
Once you have been offered a place on this course, you will be asked to pay the course fees via the University of Leeds online store.
The course fee includes all tuition, activities and materials. Refreshments including lunch will be provided. Attendance on either the MPAS-Atmospheres or MPAS-Jedi Tutorials includes a conference dinner on Wednesday evening.
Travel and accommodation
Accommodation is not provided as part of the course fee and attendees should arrange their own accommodation. Once your place on the course has been confirmed we are able to provide access to a discounted rate for accommodation at St Andrew’s University. This is a bed and breakfast rate of £90pppn.
Attendees are responsible for arranging and paying for their own transport to and from the course.
Terms and conditions
Fees
Attendees are required to pay in full by credit/debit card or provide a valid purchase order from their home organisation by the confirmation deadline. All payments and refunds are processed by the University of Leeds.
Cancellations/ refunds
Cancellations of places on courses are subject to a £50 administration fee where the cancellation is made more than six weeks before the date of the training course.
The remaining balance of the course fee will be refunded.
No refund is payable for a cancellation made within six weeks immediately prior to the training course – in this event the full course fee will remain payable.
In the event that a place can be filled by another student then the full fee (less the £50 administration fee) will be refunded once the replacement student has paid in full.
All cancellations must be sent in writing to training@ncas.ac.uk.
Amendments and cancellations by NCAS
It may be necessary for NCAS to change the content and timing of a course, the staff, the date or the venue. In the unlikely event of the course being cancelled by NCAS, a full refund will be made. For all bookings, the liability of NCAS/University of Leeds shall be limited to the amount of the fee actually paid to NCAS/University of Leeds by the delegate.