ICOsahedral Nonhydrostatic model (ICON)
A numerical weather prediction model that uses a grid system based on an icosahedron to simulate atmospheric processes with high resolution and accuracy.
The ICOsahedral Nonhydrostatic model, often abbreviated as ICON, is a cutting-edge numerical weather prediction model used by meteorologists to forecast weather patterns with high precision. This model utilises a unique grid system based on an icosahedron, a polyhedron with 20 faces, to divide the Earth’s atmosphere into smaller computational units. By employing this grid structure, the ICON model can simulate atmospheric processes in a nonhydrostatic manner, meaning it considers vertical accelerations and pressure gradients that are often neglected in traditional hydrostatic models. This advanced approach allows the ICON model to provide more accurate predictions of severe weather events, such as thunderstorms, hurricanes, and heavy rainfall. Additionally, the high resolution of the ICON model enables meteorologists to capture localised weather phenomena with greater detail, making it a valuable tool for improving weather forecasts and enhancing our understanding of complex atmospheric dynamics.
