Isca

Isca is a framework for constructing idealised atmospheric models of the Earth and other planets. I began this project upon arriving in Exeter as a postdoc with Geoff Vallis, and I have lead many aspects of Isca's development. This has included the adaptation of Isca to Jupiter, Mars and Titan, as well as the implementation of several new physics schemes including the Met Office's state-of-the-art radiative transfer code, SOCRATES.

Isca's use cases

I have used Isca extensively in my own research, particularly when trying to pick apart the contribution of different physical or dynamical processes to a particular problem. A good example of this is the paper I wrote with Geoff Vallis looking at the effect of changing the gravitational acceleration has on a planet's climate and circulation. The role water vapour plays in the dynamics and the radiation meant that it was advantagous to be able to look at these effects in isolation. I therefore ran many different configurations of Isca with interactive and non-interactive water vapour in both the dynamics and the radiative transfer. Isca's flexibility enabled me to do this.

Isca's python front-end makes it easy to learn and operate for use by undergraduate students and postgraduate students. For example, I've run practical sessions at summer schools where students who have never used a GCM before are able to configure, run and analyse their own model experiments. I've also used Isca for masters and undergraduate projects.

Future plans

• One aim is to create an Isca-like version of a fully-coupled model such as MOM6. I have made significant progress in this area, and work is ongoing.
• We aim to have Isca conda-installable, including compilers etc.