SPEEDY-NEMO: performance of a fully-coupled intermediate-complexity climate model

A fully coupled general circulation model of intermediate complexity is documented. The model, named SPEEDY-NEMO, is based on the coupling of an intermediate complexity atmospheric GCM and a low resolution ocean and sea ice model, which is designed to achieve a compromise between resolution, complexity and computational cost while maintaining a realistic representation of the climate system. Early versions of the model have already been reported sporadically in the scientific literature, but a comprehensive review of the coupled model climatology and variability is missing. 
The study presents an overview of the model climatology and variability, with particular attention for the phenomenology of processes that are relevant for the predictability of the climate system on seasonal to decadal (S2D) time scales. It is shown that the model can realistically simulate the general circulation of the atmosphere and the ocean, as well as the major modes of climate variability on the examined time scales: e.g., El Niño Southern Oscillation, North Atlantic Oscillation, Tropical Atlantic Variability, Pacific Decadal Variability, Atlantic Multi-decadal Variability. 
We show that the model yields a realistic simulation of oceanic and atmospheric modes of seasonal to decadal variability. It is argued that the presented model can be applied to investigate a range of scientific questions that are relevant to the understanding of S2D predictability and the development of S2D predictions. We argue that the presented model is suitable to be employed in traditional and innovative model experiments that can play a significant role in future developments of seasonal to decadal climate prediction.