The CMIP6 Data Request (version 01.00.31)

Abstract. The data request of the Coupled Model Intercomparison ProjectPhase 6 (CMIP6) defines all the quantities from CMIP6 simulations that should be archived. This includes both quantities of general interest needed from most of the CMIP6-endorsed Model Intercomparison Projects (MIPs) and quantities that are more specialised and only of interest to a single endorsed MIP. The complexity of the data request has increased from the early days of model intercomparisons, as has the data volume. In contrast with CMIP5, CMIP6 requires distinct sets of highly tailored variables to be saved from each of the more than 200 experiments. This places new demands on the data request information base and results in a new requirement for development of software that facilitates automated interrogation of the request and retrieval of its technical specifications. The building blocks and structure of the CMIP6 Data Request (DREQ) which has been constructed to meet these challenges is described in this paper.