release3.0

WRF 3.1 Release Information

The next major release of WRF will be V3.1, targeted for March 2009. The timeline for the release is given below. The date for getting new code into the repository (code freeze date: December 20, 2008) has now passed. In general, developers seeking to have their codes for new capabilities added to the repository should review Information for Code Contributors. Contributors may also write to wrfhelp for information and for contacting the Developers' Committee, which oversees code contributions to the WRF system and manages the WRF repository. The Developers' Committee is described in WRF Code Repository and Release Administration.

Candidate Features&mdash V3.1

Candidate features for WRF V3.1 include the following. Any code's inclusion in the release is dependent on the code's getting into the repository, meeting the timeline, and passing all required tests. This list of candidate features is neither guaranteed nor exclusive. Developers may submit code for consideration for V3.1 as long as the timeline below is adhered to and the procedures for contribution (Information for Code Contributors) are followed. They may contact wrfhelp to get information on the addition of their code.

    • Software framework enhancements
    • Monotonic transport option
    • Gravity wave drag
    • Spectral nudging
    • Surface analysis nudging
    • Noah LSM modifications and multi-layer urban canopy model (BEP: Building Energy Parameterization)
    • Physics
      • QNSE (Quasi-Normal Scale Elimination), MYNN (Mellor-Yamada Nakanishi-Niino) and BouLac (Bougeault and Lacarrere) PBL schemes
      • New RRTM long- and short-wave radiation schemes
      • Modifications for regional climate applications
      • YSU WRF double moment microphysics schemes
      • New Thompson microphysics and updated Morrison and Goddard microphysics
    • Single Column model
    • WRF-Chem updates
    • WRF NMM operational (NCEP) code physics and dynamics
    • WRF-Var
      • Radiance assimilation
      • 4DVAR
    • Polar modifications
      • Fractional sea ice and Noah LSM mods

Timeline

The timeline for the V3.1 release is as follows. "RC" refers to the Release Committee; "DC" refers to the Developers' Committee.

December 20 2008

3-mo advance date (R-3m)

  • New feature codes must be in the repository. The repository is frozen except for bugfixes.
  • Check on new features for the release is discussed by the RC (also by the Developers' Comm).

January 20, 2009

2-mo advance date (R-2m)

  • Tests for new features are included in regression test suite. Regression test data sets finalized.

February 23, 2009

1-mo advance date (R-1m)

  • Bug fixes still accommodated though repository frozen.
  • Full set of regression tests run on machines at NCAR.
  • Weekly RC meetings

March 9, 2009

2-week advance date (R-2w)

  • Final round of large testing. RC and DC meetings focus on status of code and testing.

March 16, 2009

1-week advance date (R-1w)

  • DC certifies (final approval) code for release. Code packaged and staged for release.

April, 2009

Target release period.

Release Committee

The WRF Release Committee oversees the periodic major releases of WRF. It is described in the policies for NCAR's administration of the WRF code, found in WRF Code Repository and Release Administration.

Release Committee Members

Jordan Powers- Chairman
Tom Black
Jimy Dudhia
Fei Chen
Dave Gill
Georg Grell
John Michalakes
Bill Skamarock
Wei Wang
Jamie Wolff
Xin Zhang