Abstract

The CICE sea ice model is used extensively by climate and Earth system research groups, and also by operational centers for applications such as numerical weather prediction and guidance for military operations.  While the research community is energetically improving the models, observationalists are busy taking measurements and operational experts are using all of it to produce predictive products via data assimilation.  In the past, the sea ice research and operational communities have been somewhat distinct with little cross-pollination.  Partly in response to this issue, the CICE Consortium has formed as a formal community effort to to provide a mechanism for accelerating further sea ice model development and its transfer into operational uses.  This colloquium will provide a broad overview of current CICE model capabilities and uses, highlight new analysis techniques for statistically assessing model skill against diverse observations, and discuss our community engagement effort, all toward addressing society's needs in the face of the Earth’s changing polar regions.