ERA-15
The ERA-15 production system generated re-analyses for 15 years (1979-1993) using a special version of their 1995 operational data assimilation system and model. The resulting analyses include full model resolution analyses or reduced resolution analyses and climate and statistics data. ERA-15 is the precursor to ERA-40 and ERA-Interim. It is recommended that the ERA-Interim products be used rather the ERA-15 or ERA-40.
Key Strengths
Signals from El Chichon and Pinatubo eruptions in the lower stratospheric temperature anomaly was well captured from the satellite radiances.
Key Limitations
Excessive tropical precipitation.
Hydrologic budget was not 'closed'.
Also there was an incorrect southward shift in the
ITCZ over Africa in 1987 most likely due to the assimilation and bias correction of satellite data.
Expert User Guidance
Unless it is desired to compare with previous research using ERA-15, it is recommended that ERA-Interim be used.
Other Information
T106, 2.5 x 2.5
T106 (1.125)
- Gibson, J. K. et al, 1997: ERA description. ECMWF Reanalysis Project Report Series 1, 86 pp.
- Observing system performance in ERA: ECMWF ERA-15 Project Report Series, No. 3
- Trenberth et al, (2001): Quality of Reanalyses in the Tropics. J. Climate, 14, 1499–1510.
- Bromwich, D.H., Wang, S.H (2005): Evaluation of the NCEP–NCAR and ECMWF 15- and 40-Yr Reanalyses Using Rawinsonde Data from Two Independent Arctic Field Experiments. MWR, 133, 3562-3578