NOAA created the Earth Prediction Innovation Center (EPIC) to improve operational weather and climate forecast systems through scientific and technical innovation via model co-development with the Weather Enterprise — government, industry and academia. EPIC will facilitate improved and reliable forecasts produced by numerical Earth system models that will reduce the devastating impacts of hazardous weather.
The EPIC Program and Contract will deliver world-class numerical weather prediction systems supporting NOAA’s mission to save lives, protect property, and enhance the economy.
EPIC is a facilitating organization that leverages resources to better coordinate the weather research and modeling community.
EPIC is a combination of (1) roadmap for research and model priorities, (2) development environment, (3) code management, (4) cloud-ready code, (5) observational data and tools, (6) community support, and (7) community engagement
EPIC is NOT (1) free user access to high-performance computing and parallel processing, (2) containerization beyond the community integrated development environment, or (3) the Unified Forecast System (UFS)
Download the slide presentation at https://ufs.epic.noaa.gov/wp-content/uploads/2022/01/EPIC-Presentation-UFS-Webinar-1.13.2022.pdf
During its first five years (2021–2026), EPIC focused on providing the UFS community with additional scientific expertise and technological support. Specific initiatives include:
As EPIC enters its second five-year contract cycle (EPIC 2.0), led by Tomorrow.io with partners Booz Allen Hamilton, Element 84, RedLine Performance Solutions, and DeVine, the program builds on its open-source foundation to speed the transition of research into operational forecasting. EPIC 2.0 goals span three areas: infrastructure (platform-agnostic containers, automated testing and workflow translation, and GPU acceleration), innovation (SI-driven forecasting through Project EAGLE, open SI/ML frameworks and dashboards, and MPAS as the next-generation dynamical core), and community (user-centered design, open code access and workforce pathways, and SI-powered technical support).
Throughout each phase, EPIC has seven priority investment areas.
Accelerating
innovation
through
community
modeling
Accelerating
innovation
through
community
modeling
The Earth Prediction Innovation Center will enable the most accurate and reliable operational numerical weather prediction system in the world.
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