How to run MPAS init_atmosphere with constant SST

[JiaWang]

This is the namelist:
config_sfc_prefix = 'SST'
config_fg_interval = 0

This is the streams:
<immutable_stream name="surface"
type="output"
filename_template="x4.535554.sfc_update.nc"
filename_interval="none"
packages="sfc_update"
output_interval="none" />

But when I run init_atmosphere to generate the sfc_update file, it prints out this endlessly:
Processing file SST:2025-12-09_00
Processing file SST:2025-12-09_00
Processing file SST:2025-12-09_00
Processing file SST:2025-12-09_00

"2025-12-09_00" is the date that SST is provided.

Did I set something wrong in the namelist or streams?

 

[Ming Chen]

Hi JiaWang,

I am not sure that I understand your question completely. Are you trying to create initial condition or sfc_update for MPAS run? Can you upload your namelist.init_atmosphere and streams.init_atmopshere for me to take a look? These files may help me better understand what you intend to do.

You need to create sfc_update file only when you run MPAS with sst_update. Otherwise, you don't need to create this file.

By the way, which version of MPAS you are running? Thanks.

 

[JiaWang]

Hi Ming,

I am trying to create sfc_update for MPAS run.
I thought MPAS run always needs a surface file (including skin T and sea ice), no matter it is a fixed SST run or an updated SST run.
In a fixed SST run, where is the SST from, if sfc_update file is not provided?
Since the system is down today, I could not download the namelist and streams files today. I will upload them tomorrow.
I am using the latest version 8.4.1.

Best,
Jia

 

[Ming Chen]

Hi Jia,
Please see my answers below:

Hi Ming,

I am trying to create sfc_update for MPAS run.
I thought MPAS run always needs a surface file (including skin T and sea ice), no matter it is a fixed SST run or an updated SST run.
In a fixed SST run, where is the SST from, if sfc_update file is not provided?

You are right that MPAS run needs surface information (skintemp, sst, sea ice, etc.). However, these information are included in the initial condition. You only needs sfc_update when you run with sst_update = true.

Since the system is down today, I could not download the namelist and streams files today. I will upload them tomorrow.
I am using the latest version 8.4.1.

That is fine. We can take a look once the system is back.

Best,
Jia

 

[JiaWang]

Hi Ming,

When sst_update=true, at the initial time, where is the surface information from, the initial file or the surface file, when both are provided but from different sources (for example, initial from GFS and surface from ERA5)?

Best wishes,
Jia