WP-MIP: the Weather Prediction Model Intercomparison Project

About The Weather Prediction Model Intercomparison Project (WP-MIP) aims to accelerate the development and integration of the next-generation of operational weather prediction systems. The project will create a public database of predictions from the full spectrum of artificial intelligence-based (AIWP), physically based (NWP) and hybrid systems using standard production pipelines. This centralized archive will be used for distributed diagnostics and model evaluation, with the goals of: Identifying the strengths and weaknesses of the different prediction paradigms in an operational context; Providing guidance to operational centres on metrics to use for fair evaluation and comparison of AIWP, NWP and hybrid systems; and, Accelerating the development of the full spectrum of operational models.	WP-MIP organization and subproject integration.

The project is divided into two streams based on the initialization data. The Same Initial Conditions (SIC) stream consists of forecasts initialized with ECMWF analysis grids, while forecasts in the Own Initial Conditions (OIC) stream are initialized with each centre's own analyses. The OIC stream reflects operational configurations, and comparisons between the streams provide valuable information on the sensitivity to initial conditions in the different forecasting systems.

In addition to the core SIC and OIC integrations, contributors are encouraged to participate in optional subprojects focusing on specific forecast features. These sub-projects require additional data and offer the benefit of more detailed diagnostics and model evaluation.

More information about the project is contained in the whitepaper.

Getting Involved The project welcomes all collaborators, including those who are interesting in contributing forecasts and those who are interested in diagnostics and evaluation. To be added to the WP-MIP mailing list and stay updated with project progress, fill out the registration form and let us know what planned involvement will be.		Project Protocol Creating a centralized database of AIWP, NWP and hybrid forecasts from a wide range of sources is a key objective of WP-MIP. Instructions for contributors in the form of the experimental protocol, list of requested outputs, formatting requirements and contributor’s checklist can be found on the contributor’s page.

	Members and contacts Project Co-Leads: Linus Mangusson (bGludXMubWFnbnVzc29uQGVjbXdmLmludA==; SIC stream lead) and Ron McTaggart-cowan (cm9uLm1jdGFnZ2FydC1jb3dhbkBlYy5nYy5jYQ==; OIC stream lead) Subproject Leads: SP1: Masashi Ujiie (dWppaWVAbWV0Lmtpc2hvdS5nby5qcA==) SP2: Debbie Hudson (RGViYmllLkh1ZHNvbkBib20uZ292LmF1) Participating WMO Groups: WIPPS, JWGFVR, PDEF, WGSIP Participating GPCs (representatives are in the “Resources” table near the end of the whitepaper): BoM, CMC, DWD, ECMWF, JMA, NOAA, UKMO

Upcoming Meetings

Event	Dates and Locations	Description
Ver-AI Workshop	23-24 June 2025; Reading, UK	Project planning and preliminary diagnostics and evaluations of early OIC-stream contributions
JWGFVR Workshop	20-24 October 2025; Montreal, Canada	Diagnostics and evaluation of OIC-stream contributions, and preliminary assessments of initial condition sensitivities and SIC-stream contributions

	WP-MIP Resources Project whitepaper Project registration form Contributor checklist Slides from the 25 March 2025 meeting Short summary of WP-MIP for briefings

	The work of the ESMO International Project Office is sponsored by the German Federal Ministry of Education and Research
	ESMO is a core project of the World Climate Research Programme (WCRP)

About

Getting Involved

Project Protocol

Members and contacts

Upcoming Meetings

WP-MIP Resources