Training course: Data assimilation

This lecture will present the 3D-Var assimilation algorithm. This algorithm is based in the formulation of a cost function to minimize. Minimization methods will be presented together with some information on how to improve their efficiency.

By the end of the lecture the participants should be able to:

• Recognize the 3D-Var cost function
• Explain the various terms of the cost function
• Question the efficiency of methods designed to find the minimum of the cost function