The Model for Prediction Across Scales uses a hexagonal mesh resembling a honeycomb that can be stretched wide in some regions and compressed for higher resolution in others.

This enables researchers to run a global model at a storm-resolving scales where it matters most and lower resolution everywhere else to conserve computational resources. NCAR leads the development of the atmospheric component of MPAS. Other partners in the community are working on the ocean, land ice, and sea ice components.