An Improved Coupled Data Assimilation System with a CGCM Using Multi-Time-Scale High-Efficiency EnOI-Like Filtering

Abstract Coupled data assimilation (CDA), which combines coupled models and observations from multiple Earth system domains, plays a critical role in climate studies by producing a four-dimensional estimation of Earth system states. Traditional ensemble Kalman filter (EnKF) CDA algorithms, while convenient to implement in multiple DA components in a coupled system, are, however, expensive and lack sufficient representativeness for low-frequency background flows. Here, a multi-time-scale high-efficiency approximate filter with ensemble optimal interpolation (MSHea-EnOI) scheme has been implemented with a global fully coupled model. It consists of stationary, low-frequency, and high-frequency filters constructed from the time series of a single-model solution with improved representativeness for low-frequency background error statistics and enhanced computational efficiency. The MSHea-EnOI is evaluated in a biased twin experiment framework with synthetic “observations” produced by another coupled model, and a three-decade coupled reanalysis experiment with real observations. Results show that with increased representativeness on multiscale background flows, while computationally costing only a small fraction of ensemble-based CDA, the MSHea-EnOI shows the potential to improve CDA quality with synthetic observations. The coupled reanalysis experiment with real observations also shows reasonable fittings to observations and comparable results to other reanalysis products using different DA schemes. While reconstructing a close-to-rapid Atlantic meridional overturning circulation, the coupled reanalysis reproduces most of the atmosphere and ocean reanalysis signals such as the Hadley circulation and upper ocean heat content. The MSHea-EnOI could have good application potential in ensemble-based DA systems in terms of its multiscale property and computational efficiency.