Objective To investigate the processes involved in the evolution of the Asian Summer Monsoon and in its intraseasonal and interannual variability, and thereby to improve their simulation in forecast and climate models. An over-riding theme is the goal of understanding the processes involved in seasonal and climate predictability. Over half the world's population live within the influence of the Asian Summer Monsoon where the reliable return of the summer rains is essential for life. Therefore the human implications of improved prediction for sub-seasonal, seasonal and climate timescales are enormous. The influence of the monsoon extends to many regions remote from SE-Asia; its importance in the global circulation and climate predictability has been recognised in the new CLIVAR (Climate Variability and Predictability) GOALS (Global Ocean-Atmosphere-Land System) programme of the WCRP. The proposed project is closely allied with the aims of CLIVAR-GOALS and will contribute to numerical experimentation within Europe in support of that programme. The project research involves common diagnosis of multi-year integrations and coordinated, idealised experiments using, primarily, atmospheric GCMs, but extending to coupled atmosphere-ocean GCMs during the later stages of the project. The idealised experimentation is designed to investigate possible mechanisms for monsoon variability. The processes which determine the behaviour of the Asian Summer Monsoon are varied and interactive. The dependence on horizontal resolution, on the parametrisation of physical processes, and on anomalies in boundary forcing, particularly sea surface temperatures, will be investigated. In addition, several supporting programmes have been identified which cover observational studies for model validation, ensemble techniques and palaeoclimate studies. The palaeoclimate studies will provide a broader parameter space within which to test physical parametrisations and potential mechanisms for monsoon variability. Close coordination exists between SHIVA and the seasonal prediction project, PROVOST, since a clear objective of SHIVA is to improve seasonal predictability for monsoon-affected countries. As well as undertaking joint numerical experimentation, the PROVOST and SHIVA projects will meet jointly each year. Fields of science natural sciencesearth and related environmental scienceshydrologynatural sciencesearth and related environmental sciencesatmospheric sciencesclimatologyclimatic changes Programme(s) FP4-ENV 2C - Specific programme of research and technological development in the field of environment and climate, 1994-1998 Topic(s) 010103 - Climate variability, simulation of climate and prediction of climate change Call for proposal Data not available Funding Scheme CSC - Cost-sharing contracts Coordinator University of Reading EU contribution No data Address 2 Earley Gate Whiteknights RG6 6BB Reading United Kingdom See on map Total cost No data Participants (6) Sort alphabetically Sort by EU Contribution Expand all Collapse all CENTRE NATIONAL DE LA RECHERCHE SCIENTIFIQUE France EU contribution No data Address Ecole Polytechnique 91128 PALAISEAU See on map Total cost No data European Centre for Medium-range Weather Forecasts - ECMWF United Kingdom EU contribution No data Address Shinfield Park RG2 9AX READING See on map Links Website Opens in new window Total cost No data MAX-PLANCK-GESELLSCHAFT ZUR FOERDERUNG DER WISSENSCHAFTEN E.V. Germany EU contribution No data Address Bundesstra¯e 55 20146 HAMBURG See on map Total cost No data METEO-FRANCE France EU contribution No data Address 42,Avenue G. Coriolis 42 31057 TOULOUSE See on map Total cost No data SECRETARY OF STATE FOR DEFENCE - MINISTRY OF DEFENCE United Kingdom EU contribution No data Address Fitzroy Road, Metz Office EX1 3PB EXETER See on map Total cost No data UNIVERSITY OF READING United Kingdom EU contribution No data Address Earley Gate 2, Whiteknights, Palmer Building RG6 2AU READING / SILCHESTER See on map Total cost No data