The main goals of the research are to examine the ability of Arctic Ocean models to simulate variability on seasonal to interannual scales, and to qualitatively and quantitatively understand the behaviour of different Arctic Ocean models. AOMIP's major objective is to use a suite of sophisticated models to simulate the Arctic Ocean circulation for the periods 1948-2004 and 1901-2004. Forcing will use the observed climatology and the daily atmospheric pressure and air temperature fields. Model results will be contrasted and compared to understand model strengths and weaknesses.
AOMIP will bring together the international modeling community for a comprehensive evaluation and validation of current Arctic Ocean models. The project will provide valuable information on improving Arctic Ocean models and will result in a better understanding of the processes that maintain the Arctic's observed variability.
O.A.Sys participates in AOMIP with the coupled ice-ocean model NAOSIM in close cooperation with the Alfred Wegener Institute for Polar and Marine Research. The focus of O.A.Sys work in this project is the dynamics of Atlantic Water circulation in the Arctic Ocean and the preparation of a specific 100 – year forcing dataset to run a coordinated experiment for the period 1901 – 2004.

AOMIP is supported by the International Arctic Research Center (IARC) at the University of Alaska, Fairbanks (UAF) and the Office of Polar Programs (OPP) of the National Science Foundation (NSF).

The project is an official activity of the Arctic Climate System Study / Climate and Cryosphere Numerical Experimentation Group (ACSYS/CliC NEG).