Python-based framework makes climate dynamics more approachable for students and researchers

Sadie Harley
scientific editor

Robert Egan
associate editor

A team of researchers at the University of Miami has developed a global atmospheric modeling framework that blends powerful research capabilities with accessibility for students and scientists alike.
The study, "," is published in the Bulletin of the American Meteorological Society.
Written entirely in Python, a high-level, general-purpose programming language, and designed to run on an interactive Jupyter Notebook, the new tool removes longstanding technical barriers, allowing anyone with a standard laptop to explore cutting-edge climate experiments.
Most existing climate models rely on legacy Fortran code and complicated setups that are costly and time-consuming for students to use. By contrast, this open-source framework simplifies the process. Users can run experiments, analyze data, and visualize results directly within a notebook environment. Educators can tailor classroom exercises to different levels of complexity, while advanced researchers can adapt the model for original investigations into atmospheric dynamics.
"Python's widespread use鈥攁nd its clarity for beginners鈥攚ere critical to our decision," said Ben Kirtman, dean of the University of Miami Rosenstiel School of Marine, Atmospheric, and Earth Science and lead author of the study.
"It also supports advanced features like machine learning and artificial intelligence for handling large datasets, which simply aren't as accessible in traditional Fortran models."
Kirtman's motivation to re-code models in Python came after watching his students spend hours troubleshooting code just to get experiments running. The delays often hindered their progress and slowed research momentum.
Marybeth Arcodia, a co-author of the study and assistant professor in the Department of Atmospheric Sciences at the Rosenstiel School, experienced those setbacks firsthand as a graduate student in Kirtman's lab. Her research explored long-term climate scenarios and weather patterns such as the El Ni帽o鈥揝outhern Oscillation (ENSO), a recurring climate pattern that involves changes in the temperature of waters in the central and eastern tropical Pacific Ocean.
Teleconnections like ENSO, where climate anomalies in one region affect distant parts of the globe, require models that can capture large-scale interactions.
"In its first demonstrations, the model successfully replicated global climate patterns associated with El Ni帽o events, highlighting its ability to capture these complex phenomena," Arcodia said.
Several innovations set this framework apart. Its Python-based core makes it easy to learn and modify. Adjustable atmospheric settings allow users to experiment with different levels of complexity, from simplified backgrounds to detailed formulations. The model can also simulate real-world influences such as heat sources, land features, and ocean conditions, opening opportunities for both classroom exercises and advanced research.
The team collaborated with the Frost Institute for Data Science and Computing to handle the substantial datasets needed for development. With its successful initial demonstrations, the framework shows strong potential for both education and scientific discovery.
Looking ahead, Kirtman is developing an experiential climate modeling course for undergraduate and graduate students, enabling them to design and test their own climate scenarios with the new tool.
To maximize impact, the framework is available as open-source software on , ensuring global access for educators, students, and researchers.
More information: B. P. Kirtman et al, A Simplified-麻豆淫院ics Atmosphere General Circulation Model for Idealized Climate Dynamics Studies, Bulletin of the American Meteorological Society (2025).
Journal information: Bulletin of the American Meteorological Society