Dates
August 30 2026
Location
School of Atmospheric Sciences
Xianlin Campus, Nanjing University
Organization
Key Laboratory of Mesoscale Severe Weather of Ministry of Education,
School of Atmospheric Sciences,
Nanjing University
Lecturers
Lars Nerger (Alfred Wegener Institute)
Peter Jan van Leeuwen (Colorado State University)
Amos Lawless (University of Reading)
Yumeng Chen (University of Reading)
Eviatar Bach (University of Reading)
Summary
Data assimilation, the fusion of observations with model forecasts, is one of the most important and challenging aspects of predicting the Earth system, including the atmosphere, ocean, land, sea ice, and more. Sophisticated data assimilation algorithms, which combine elements of numerical modeling, observational studies, statistics, and Earth system dynamics, have been developed at operational centers around the world. This one-day summer school will bring together experts from leading prediction centers as well as researchers from top institutes and universities. A broad overview of statistical fundamentals, ensemble Kalman filtering, variational methods, and practical exercises will be provided. This event will be held prior to the 12th International Symposium on Data Assimilation (ISDA), and participants are encouraged to attend.
Participants
Graduate students, recent recipients of a Ph.D., and researchers at operational centers, whose research interests extend data assimilation, numerical weather prediction, and the Earth system predictability.
How to contact us
Address: School of Atmospheric Sciences, Nanjing University, 163 Xianlin Road, Qixia District, Nanjing, 210023, China
Contacts: Lili Lei, lililei@nju.edu.cn, Mobile: +86 13182909059
Wei Zhang, wzhangas@nju.edu.cn, Mobile: +86 13057590052
Key Laboratory of Mesoscale Severe Weather, Ministry of Education
School of Atmospheric Sciences
Nanjing University
Agenda
Sunday, 30 August 2026
Morning
08:50-09:00 Opening ceremony
09:00-09:40 Lecture: Basics of data assimilation (Dr. Amos Lawless, Univ. of Reading)
09:40-10:20 Lecture: Variational methods (Dr. Amos Lawless, Univ. of Reading)
10:20-10:40 Break
10:40-11:40 Lecture:Ensemble Kalman filters (Dr. Lars Nerger, Alfred Wegener Institute)
11:40-12:10 Practical session: Variational and filters (Dr. Yumeng Chen, Univ. of Reading)
Afternoon
14:00-15:00 Lecture: Non-Gaussian filters (Dr. Peter Jan van Leeuwen, Colorado State Univ.)
15:00-16:00 Lecture: Integration of machine learning (Dr. Eviatar Bach, Univ. of Reading)
16:00-17:00 Break with elevator pitch
17:30-17:30 Practical session: Variational and filters (Drs. Eviatar Bach & Yumeng Chen, Univ. of Reading)