We are home to some of the most sophisticated computer models in the Earth system sciences, and we make most available to anyone in the research community who wants to use them. For free.

The models based at NCAR, many of which are developed in collaboration with colleagues across the country and around the world, include regional weather models and global Earth system models. They also include models of the Sun's chaotic surface, complex chemical reactions high in the atmosphere, streamflow guidance across the contiguous United States, and much more.

With this arsenal of model resources, scientists at NCAR and far beyond can improve their understanding of the complex connections that drive the Earth system and peek into what the future may hold days, seasons, decades, and even centuries in advance. 

National and regional leaders also use this information to make decisions about policy, resource allocation, and infrastructure development.