MIAMI, FL — A groundbreaking global atmospheric modeling framework has been unveiled by researchers at the University of Miami, promising to revolutionize the way climate dynamics are taught and studied. Written entirely in Python, this new tool is designed to operate on an interactive Jupyter Notebook, making it accessible to both students and seasoned researchers. This development aims to break down technical barriers and democratize climate science by allowing users with a standard laptop to conduct sophisticated climate experiments.
Traditional climate models have long relied on complex Fortran code and cumbersome setups, posing significant challenges for educational and research purposes. In contrast, this new open-source framework simplifies the process, enabling users to run experiments, analyze data, and visualize outcomes directly within a notebook environment. This adaptability allows educators to customize exercises for various educational levels, while advanced researchers can modify the model for in-depth investigations into atmospheric dynamics.
Breaking Down Barriers in Climate Research
Ben Kirtman, dean of the University of Miami Rosenstiel School of Marine, Atmospheric, and Earth Science, and lead author of the study, emphasized the importance of Python’s widespread use and its beginner-friendly nature. “Python’s widespread use—and its clarity for beginners—were critical to our decision,” Kirtman stated. “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 initiative to re-code models in Python was driven by the desire to eliminate the time-consuming troubleshooting that students faced when using older models. These delays often impeded their progress and slowed research momentum.
Real-World Applications and Innovations
Marybeth Arcodia, a co-author of the study and assistant professor in the Department of Atmospheric Sciences at the Rosenstiel School, experienced these setbacks firsthand as a graduate student in Kirtman’s lab. Her research focused on long-term climate scenarios and weather patterns like the El Niño–Southern Oscillation (ENSO), a recurring climate pattern affecting global weather. “In its first demonstrations, the model successfully replicated global climate patterns associated with El Niño events, highlighting its ability to capture these complex phenomena,” Arcodia explained.
The framework’s innovations are numerous. Its Python-based core is easy to learn and modify, and its adjustable atmospheric settings allow users to experiment with varying levels of complexity. The model can simulate real-world influences such as heat sources, land features, and ocean conditions, offering opportunities for both educational exercises and advanced research.
Collaborative Efforts and Future Prospects
The development of this framework was a collaborative effort with the Frost Institute for Data Science and Computing, which managed the substantial datasets required. With 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, allowing them to design and test their own climate scenarios using the new tool. To maximize its impact, the framework is available as open-source software on GitHub, ensuring global access for educators, students, and researchers.
Funding and Acknowledgments
The study, titled “A Simplified-Physics Atmosphere General Circulation Model for Idealized Climate Dynamics Studies,” was published on August 22, 2025, in the Bulletin of the American Meteorological Society. Funding for the study was provided by the National Oceanic Atmospheric Administration and the National Science Foundation. The authors expressed gratitude to Brian Mapes, professor of atmospheric sciences at the University of Miami Rosenstiel School, for his valuable discussions.
The team of authors includes Ben P. Kirtman, Marybeth C. Arcodia, Emily J. Becker, and several others from institutions such as the University of Miami, Colorado State University, and Columbia University, among others.
About the University of Miami and Rosenstiel School
The University of Miami is a private research university known for its vibrant academic community and commitment to addressing global challenges. The Rosenstiel School of Marine, Atmospheric, and Earth Science, founded in 1943, is one of the world’s leading research institutions, focusing on improving the understanding and prediction of Earth’s systems.
The school is dedicated to saving lives through better forecasting, developing sustainable fisheries, unlocking ocean secrets, and preserving marine species. Its research programs are designed to tackle some of the most pressing environmental issues of our time.
