About SIMIP

SIMIP is a CMIP7 registered MIP that defines a list of variables to understand the evolution of sea ice in any experiment using the sea ice model as part of CMIP6.

SIMIP Science

The work of SIMIP is broadly divided into two phases:

1. In the run-up to CMIP6, we defined a list of sea-ice related variables to be stored from CMIP6 model simulations. These variables allow researchers to analyze the three budgets that govern the evolution of sea ice and its impact on the Earth’s climate system, namely conservation of heat, the momentum balance and tracer conservation. In addition, variables are included that allow for the high frequency analysis of the sea-ice state itself. This list is now part of the official CMIP6 data request.

2. Once CMIP6 model output became available, SIMIP coordinated an overview paper documenting the Arctic sea ice simulation in CMIP6 models, published as SIMIP Community 2020. An overview paper documenting Antarctic sea ice in CMIP6 was also published as Roach et al. 2020.

SIMIP coordinates analysis using the new SIMIP requested variables through a number of dedicated sub-groups. SIMIP also continues to build on the new protocol for the output of sea-ice related variables from coupled model simulations described in Notz et al. (2016).

SIMIP Vision, Strategy and Roadmap for CMIP7

Observation for sea ice model evaluation

SIMIP also works towards a common standard for sea-ice model evaluation. For the time being, we refer to the following to data sources:

• The National Snow and Ice Data Center (NSIDC) maintains a list of sea-ice related observational records that can be used to analyse the performance of sea-ice model simulations.

• The NCAR Climate Data Guide also features some sea ice products (in particular sea ice concentrations), with expert guidance on their properties for some of these data records.