2026 S2S Land-atmosphere Interactions Workshop

Advancing Understanding of Land-Atmosphere Interactions and Processes on S2S Predictability

August 4–6, 2026 at the NSF National Center for Atmospheric Research (NSF NCAR) Mesa Lab in Boulder, Colorado.

1850 Table Mesa Drive, Boulder Colorado 80503

NSF NCAR, NOAA, NASA and DOE are hosting Advancing Understanding of Land-Atmosphere Interactions and Processes on Seasonal-to-Subseasonal (S2S) Predictability Workshop, taking place August 4 - 6 2026, at NSF NCAR Mesa Lab in Boulder, CO.

This workshop is intended to be highly interactive and collaborative, focusing on the role of land-atmosphere interactions and land physics on predictability and prediction skill at S2S timescales (defined here as two weeks to three months) and identifying strategies to advance the state of the science and improve S2S prediction.

Registration for this event is now closed. 

If you have any questions, please feel free to reach out at predictability@ucar.edu. 

Our focus

This meeting is a follow-on to the 2025 summer workshop and will focus on the role of land–atmosphere interactions in predictability at subseasonal-to-seasonal (S2S) timescales (here defined as two weeks to three months). Building on last year’s outcomes, the workshop will bring together researchers, modelers and practitioners working on:

  • Process-oriented metrics for evaluating land–atmosphere interactions in S2S models
  • Application-oriented metrics to assess user-relevant aspects of S2S prediction
  • Experimental protocols for coordinated S2S land–atmosphere experiments
  • Demonstrations and early results applying these metrics and protocols in S2S modeling systems
  • Community regionally refined simulations
  • Applications of S2S forecasts to agriculture, water resources, wildfire, heatwave, extreme rainfall, and more

The program will include a mix of science and applications talks, working-group showcases, discussion of coordinated experiments, and planning for future community efforts. We welcome both those who participated in last year’s workshop and working groups, as well as new colleagues who would like to engage in this effort going forward. Innovative, forward-looking applications of S2S forecasts, uncertainty quantification, and decision-support tools are also encouraged. The workshop will be hybrid, with talks live-streamed for virtual attendees. However, because the format will emphasize interactive discussions and collaboration, in-person participation is strongly encouraged. In order to engage as broad of a community as possible, please share this message with your colleagues and communities that you think would be interested in this effort.

This workshop is jointly organized by multiple institutions and agencies, as reflected in the Organizing and Scientific Steering Committees listed below. More information on registration and a workshop website will be forthcoming. For more information or questions regarding this workshop, please reach out to us at predictability@ucar.edu. 

Organizing Committee: Argyro Kavvada, Christine Bassett, Domi Colegrove, Margaret Hoeflich, Mark Olsen, Renu Joseph, Yaga Richter, Yan Xue

Scientific Steering Committee: Andrea Molod, Cenlin He, Hailan Wang, Meg Fowler, Michael Barlage, Ruby Leung, Sanjiv Kumar

Read the Summer 2025 S2S Land-atmosphere Interactions Workshop Report

Thank you to everyone who participated in the Summer 2025 S2S Land-atmosphere Interactions workshop. The workshop report is now available in the Bulletin of the American Meteorological Society. 

Travel, and Lodging information:

Travel Information

Workshop Location

NSF NCAR Mesa Lab: 1850 Table Mesa Dr. - Boulder, CO 80305

Lodging

We have a negotiated rate for a room block at the Fairfield Inn & Suites approximately 4 miles from the workshop location.

Fairfield Inn & Suites (Marriott): 5397 South Boulder Road - Boulder, CO 80303

  • Block Name: NCAR S2S Community Workshop
  • Rate: US$173 / night for room with king bed or two queen beds
  • Start Date: Tuesday, August 4, 2026 
  • End Date: Thursday, August 6, 2026 
  • Last Day to Book: Saturday, July 4, 2026 
  • Booking link: Fairfield Inn & Suites Booking link
    • For guests that would like to make a verbal reservation, they may call 720-673-8900 and reference code "NCAR S2S".
    • If anyone has a challenge making a reservation, please contact: Ari Rubin at ari.rubin@marriort.com or call Ari at 720-673-8900 

If you prefer to make a reservation by phone, call 720-673-8900 and use the reference code "NCAR S2S."

If you have any questions, please contact predictability@ucar.edu.

Ground Transportation 

From Denver International Airport:

Once you land in Denver, there are several ground transportation options available to you. You can choose to book an airport shuttle with Eight Black or Super Shuttle. Another option is the Regional Transportation District (RTD) where you can catch a local bus at the airport and it will take you directly to Boulder. 

  • RTD Airport Bus to Boulder: Tickets are $10 each way; tickets can be purchased with card or cash at kiosks at the Transit Center; tickets also can be purchased on the bus with exact change.
  • Super Shuttle  

*Note: People also use Lyft and Uber from the airport to Boulder. 

To the Mesa Lab from Fairfield Inn & Suites:

*Note: Private shuttle service to and from the hotel is not an option. 

Meals

The registration fee covers the following meals:

Tuesday August 4

  • Coffee, tea, and water
  • Snacks
  • Lunch
  • Evening reception appetizers

Wednesday August 5

  • Coffee, tea, and water
  • Snacks
  • Lunch

Wednesday August 5

  • Coffee, tea, and water
  • Snacks

Water and Elevation 

Keep in mind that Boulder sits at 5,318 feet. If you are coming from a lower elevation, please be aware some people can experience altitude sickness, which causes headaches, fatigue, and dizziness. Staying hydrated helps with these symptoms, especially if you drink extra water before arrival. There will be water at the workshop  - please consider bringing a reusable bottle with a lid for your visit.