The main objective of this grant research is to establish a scientific basis for, and to advance our understanding of the variability and predictability of the present climate using comprehensive and realistic models of the climate system. The primary emphasis is to simulate, understand and demonstrate the predictability of seasonal-to-interannual climate variations using coupled models of the atmosphere, ocean and land system. Understanding and predicting seasonal-to-interannual variability requires modeling and understanding variability on interdecadal time scales; therefore, the PIs will investigate some aspects of the decadal variability and predictability of climate.