Our People
Nancy K Nichols
Professor of Applied Mathematics
Data Assimilation
Research interests
My work is on data assimilation – theory and practice. I am particularly interested in topics on atmospheric and oceanic assimilation, including coupled systems. I also work on the treatment of large, observation datasets and their uncertainties with the aim of improving forecasts.
Recent publications
A Method for Generating Coherent Spatially Explicit Maps of Seasonal Paleoclimates From Site-Based Reconstructions. 2020
DOI: http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?eid=2-s2.0-85078853752&partnerID=MN8TOARS
A new multivariable benchmark for Last Glacial Maximum climate simulations. 2020
DOI: http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?eid=2-s2.0-85083223793&partnerID=MN8TOARS
Efficient hyper-parameter determination for regularised linear BRDF parameter retrieval. 2020
DOI: http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?eid=2-s2.0-85073941136&partnerID=MN8TOARS
Improving the condition number of estimated covariance matrices. 2020
DOI: http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?eid=2-s2.0-85076514479&partnerID=MN8TOARS
The impact of using reconditioned correlated observation-error covariance matrices in the Met Office 1D-Var system. 2020
DOI: http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?eid=2-s2.0-85078671323&partnerID=MN8TOARS
The role of cross-domain error correlations in strongly coupled 4D-Var atmosphere–ocean data assimilation. 2020
DOI: http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?eid=2-s2.0-85084468249&partnerID=MN8TOARS
A pragmatic strategy for implementing spatially correlated observation errors in an operational system: An application to Doppler radial winds. 2019
DOI: http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?eid=2-s2.0-85071830094&partnerID=MN8TOARS
Improvements in forecasting intense rainfall: Results from the FRANC (Forecasting Rainfall exploiting new data Assimilation techniques and Novel observations of Convection) project. 2019
DOI: http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?eid=2-s2.0-85063488311&partnerID=MN8TOARS
Observation error statistics for doppler radar radial wind superobservations assimilated into the DWD COSMO-KENDA system. 2019
DOI: http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?eid=2-s2.0-85075806636&partnerID=MN8TOARS
Observation operators for assimilation of satellite observations in fluvial inundation forecasting. 2019
DOI: http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?eid=2-s2.0-85066860673&partnerID=MN8TOARS
Observation impact, domain length and parameter estimation in data assimilation for flood forecasting. 2018
DOI: http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?eid=2-s2.0-85044605358&partnerID=MN8TOARS
On the representation error in data assimilation. 2018
DOI: http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?eid=2-s2.0-85031112940&partnerID=MN8TOARS
Technical note: Assessment of observation quality for data assimilation in flood models. 2018
DOI: http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?eid=2-s2.0-85050614220&partnerID=MN8TOARS
The conditioning of least-squares problems in variational data assimilation. 2018
DOI: http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?eid=2-s2.0-85042368501&partnerID=MN8TOARS
Treating Sample Covariances for Use in Strongly Coupled Atmosphere-Ocean Data Assimilation. 2018
DOI: http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?eid=2-s2.0-85040649428&partnerID=MN8TOARS
Constraining DALECv2 using multiple data streams and ecological constraints: Analysis and application. 2017
DOI: http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?eid=2-s2.0-85023194612&partnerID=MN8TOARS
Data assimilation for moving mesh methods with an application to ice sheet modelling. 2017
DOI: http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?eid=2-s2.0-85028811910&partnerID=MN8TOARS
Decadal climate prediction with a refined anomaly initialisation approach. 2017
DOI: http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?eid=2-s2.0-85013485213&partnerID=MN8TOARS
Diagnosing atmospheric motion vector observation errors for an operational high-resolution data assimilation system. 2017
DOI: http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?eid=2-s2.0-85007247380&partnerID=MN8TOARS
Estimating forecast error covariances for strongly coupled atmosphere-ocean 4D-var data assimilation. 2017
DOI: http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?eid=2-s2.0-85032186677&partnerID=MN8TOARS
On diagnosing observation-error statistics with local ensemble data assimilation. 2017
DOI: http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?eid=2-s2.0-85030149995&partnerID=MN8TOARS
Understanding the effect of disturbance from selective felling on the carbon dynamics of a managed woodland by combining observations with model predictions. 2017
DOI: http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?eid=2-s2.0-85018642727&partnerID=MN8TOARS
A moving-point approach to model shallow ice sheets: A study case with radially symmetrical ice sheets. 2016
DOI: http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?eid=2-s2.0-85028823968&partnerID=MN8TOARS
Application of data assimilation to ocean and climate prediction. 2016
DOI: http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?eid=2-s2.0-85017072468&partnerID=MN8TOARS
Diagnosing horizontal and inter-channel observation error correlations for SEVIRI observations using observation-minus-background and observation-minus-analysis statistics. 2016
DOI: http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?eid=2-s2.0-85011840570&partnerID=MN8TOARS
Diagnosing observation error correlations for doppler radar radial winds in the met office UKV model using observation-minus-background and observation-minus-analysis statistics. 2016
DOI: http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?eid=2-s2.0-84994111377&partnerID=MN8TOARS
Investigating the role of prior and observation error correlations in improving a model forecast of forest carbon balance using Four-dimensional Variational data assimilation. 2016
DOI: http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?eid=2-s2.0-84982684386&partnerID=MN8TOARS
Theoretical insight into diagnosing observation error correlations using observation-minus-background and observation-minus-analysis statistics. 2016
DOI: http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?eid=2-s2.0-84957840255&partnerID=MN8TOARS
Regularization of descriptor systems. 2015
DOI: http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?eid=2-s2.0-84944183317&partnerID=MN8TOARS
The error of representation: Basic understanding. 2015
DOI: http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?eid=2-s2.0-84930615045&partnerID=MN8TOARS
Estimating correlated observation error statistics using an ensemble transform Kalman filter. 2014
DOI: http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?eid=2-s2.0-84928137346&partnerID=MN8TOARS
Estimating interchannel observation-error correlations for IASI radiance data in the Met Office system. 2014
DOI: http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?eid=2-s2.0-84902277127&partnerID=MN8TOARS
Representativity error for temperature and humidity using the Met Office high-resolution model. 2014
DOI: http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?eid=2-s2.0-84902296169&partnerID=MN8TOARS
Data assimilation for state and parameter estimation: Application to morphodynamic modelling. 2013
DOI: http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?eid=2-s2.0-84875373708&partnerID=MN8TOARS
Data assimilation with correlated observation errors: Experiments with a 1-D shallow water model. 2013
DOI: http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?eid=2-s2.0-84882601951&partnerID=MN8TOARS
Resolution of sharp fronts in the presence of model error in variational data assimilation. 2013
DOI: http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?eid=2-s2.0-84897958535&partnerID=MN8TOARS
Breakdown of hydrostatic balance at convective scales in the forecast errors in the Met Office Unified Model. 2012
DOI: http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?eid=2-s2.0-84868194248&partnerID=MN8TOARS
Integration of a 3D variational data assimilation scheme with a coastal area morphodynamic model of Morecambe Bay. 2012
DOI: http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?eid=2-s2.0-84863783294&partnerID=MN8TOARS
A hybrid data assimilation scheme for model parameter estimation: Application to morphodynamic modelling. 2011
DOI: http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?eid=2-s2.0-79954878318&partnerID=MN8TOARS
Conditioning and preconditioning of the variational data assimilation problem. 2011
DOI: http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?eid=2-s2.0-79954847227&partnerID=MN8TOARS
Conditioning of incremental variational data assimilation, with application to the Met Office system. 2011
DOI: http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?eid=2-s2.0-79960400760&partnerID=MN8TOARS
Correlations of control variables in variational data assimilation. 2011
DOI: http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?eid=2-s2.0-79955437609&partnerID=MN8TOARS
Ensemble data assimilation in the presence of cloud. 2011
DOI: http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?eid=2-s2.0-79954851369&partnerID=MN8TOARS
Four-dimensional variational data assimilation for high resolution nested models. 2011
DOI: http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?eid=2-s2.0-79954667315&partnerID=MN8TOARS
Regularization techniques for ill-posed inverse problems in data assimilation. 2011
DOI: http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?eid=2-s2.0-79954922089&partnerID=MN8TOARS
State estimation using model order reduction for unstable systems. 2011
DOI: http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?eid=2-s2.0-79954667333&partnerID=MN8TOARS
Mathematical concepts of data assimilation. 2010
DOI: http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?eid=2-s2.0-84895364136&partnerID=MN8TOARS
Data assimilation for morphodynamic prediction and predictability. 2009
DOI: http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?eid=2-s2.0-84873862594&partnerID=MN8TOARS
Variational data assimilation for parameter estimation: Application to a simple morphodynamic model. 2009
DOI: http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?eid=2-s2.0-70350571785&partnerID=MN8TOARS
Approximate Gauss-Newton methods for optimal state estimation using reduced-order models. 2008
DOI: http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?eid=2-s2.0-40749147172&partnerID=MN8TOARS
Correlated observation errors in data assimilation. 2008
DOI: http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?eid=2-s2.0-40749113119&partnerID=MN8TOARS
Modeling the diurnal variability of sea surface temperatures. 2008
DOI: http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?eid=2-s2.0-58949090652&partnerID=MN8TOARS
Modelling of forecast errors in geophysical fluid flows. 2008
DOI: http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?eid=2-s2.0-40749112719&partnerID=MN8TOARS
The assimilation of satellite-derived sea surface temperatures into a diurnal cycle model. 2008
DOI: http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?eid=2-s2.0-57049140510&partnerID=MN8TOARS
Unbiased ensemble square root filters. 2008
DOI: http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?eid=2-s2.0-43049140484&partnerID=MN8TOARS
Using model reduction methods within incremental four-dimensional variational data assimilation. 2008
DOI: http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?eid=2-s2.0-45749113079&partnerID=MN8TOARS
Approximate Gauss-newton methods for nonlinear least squares problems. 2007
DOI: http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?eid=2-s2.0-34548808885&partnerID=MN8TOARS
Weak constraints in four-dimensional variational data assimilation. 2007
DOI: http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?eid=2-s2.0-39749091227&partnerID=MN8TOARS
A singular vector perspective of 4DVAR: The spatial structure and evolution of baroclinic weather systems. 2006
DOI: http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?eid=2-s2.0-33845436088&partnerID=MN8TOARS
Inner-loop stopping criteria for incremental four-dimensional variational data assimilation. 2006
DOI: http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?eid=2-s2.0-33845440376&partnerID=MN8TOARS
Use of potential vorticity for incremental data assimilation. 2006
DOI: http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?eid=2-s2.0-39049142343&partnerID=MN8TOARS
A simple analysis of thermodynamic properties for classical plasmas: I. Theory. 2005
DOI: http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?eid=2-s2.0-22144463553&partnerID=MN8TOARS
A singular vector perspective of 4D-Var: Filtering and interpolation. 2005
DOI: http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?eid=2-s2.0-15744376917&partnerID=MN8TOARS
An investigation of incremental 4D-Var using non-tangent linear models. 2005
DOI: http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?eid=2-s2.0-27744580710&partnerID=MN8TOARS
Approximate iterative methods for variational data assimilation. 2005
DOI: http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?eid=2-s2.0-16344394714&partnerID=MN8TOARS
Preconditioners for inhomogeneous anisotropic problems in spherical geometry. 2005
DOI: http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?eid=2-s2.0-16244378251&partnerID=MN8TOARS
Structure and evolution of singular vectors in the Eady model. 2005
DOI: http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?eid=2-s2.0-15744364434&partnerID=MN8TOARS
Variational data assimilation for Hamiltonian problems. 2005
DOI: http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?eid=2-s2.0-16244380487&partnerID=MN8TOARS
Very large inverse problems in atmosphere and ocean modelling. 2005
DOI: http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?eid=2-s2.0-15744370499&partnerID=MN8TOARS
Assessment of wind-stress errors using bias corrected ocean data assimilation. 2004
DOI: http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?eid=2-s2.0-2142765980&partnerID=MN8TOARS
Assimilation of data into an ocean model with systematic errors near the equator. 2004
DOI: http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?eid=2-s2.0-2142695816&partnerID=MN8TOARS
Upwind solution of singular differential equations arising from steady channel flows. 2004
DOI: http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?eid=2-s2.0-0347516589&partnerID=MN8TOARS
A comparison of two methods for developing the linearization of a shallow-water model. 2003
DOI: http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?eid=2-s2.0-0037255418&partnerID=MN8TOARS
Discussion on ‘robust pole assignment in descriptor linear systems via state feedback’ by G.-R. Duan, N.K. Nichols and G.-P. Liu. 2002
DOI: http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?eid=2-s2.0-33750394170&partnerID=MN8TOARS
Estimation of systematic error in an equatorial ocean model using data assimilation. 2002
DOI: http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?eid=2-s2.0-0037201182&partnerID=MN8TOARS
Robust eigenstructure assignment in quadratic matrix polynomials: Nonsingular case. 2002
DOI: http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?eid=2-s2.0-0036057713&partnerID=MN8TOARS
Robust pole assignment in descriptor linear systems via state feedback. 2002
DOI: http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?eid=2-s2.0-10644255975&partnerID=MN8TOARS
Robust pole assignment in descriptor linear systems via state feedback. 2001
DOI: http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?eid=2-s2.0-84947460371&partnerID=MN8TOARS
Adjoint methods in data assimilation for estimating model error. 2000
DOI: http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?eid=2-s2.0-0034433022&partnerID=MN8TOARS
Feedback design for regularizing descriptor systems. 1999
DOI: http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?eid=2-s2.0-0033458542&partnerID=MN8TOARS
Minimum norm regularization of descriptor systems by mixed output feedback. 1999
DOI: http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?eid=2-s2.0-0033459019&partnerID=MN8TOARS
Bifurcation analysis of eigenstructure assignment control in a simple nonlinear aircraft model. 1998
DOI: http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?eid=2-s2.0-0032164995&partnerID=MN8TOARS
Modal coupling in linear control systems using robust eigenstructure assignment. 1998
DOI: http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?eid=2-s2.0-17444438543&partnerID=MN8TOARS
Analytic benchmark solutions for open-channel flows. 1997
DOI: http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?eid=2-s2.0-0031279766&partnerID=MN8TOARS
Closed loop design for a simple nonlinear aircraft model using eigenstructure assignment. 1997
EID: http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?eid=2-s2.0-84983171465&partnerID=MN8TOARS
Direct computation of stochastic flow in reservoirs with uncertain parameters. 1997
DOI: http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?eid=2-s2.0-0031568161&partnerID=MN8TOARS
Comparison between classical techniques and eigenstructure assignment in the design of a longitudinal instrument landing system. 1994
EID: http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?eid=2-s2.0-0028422950&partnerID=MN8TOARS
Regularization of Descriptor Systems by Output Feedback. 1994
DOI: http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?eid=2-s2.0-0028494397&partnerID=MN8TOARS
The state estimation of flow demands in gas networks from sparse pressure telemetry. 1994
DOI: http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?eid=2-s2.0-0028594618&partnerID=MN8TOARS
On the stability radius of a generalized state-space system. 1993
DOI: http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?eid=2-s2.0-4644340124&partnerID=MN8TOARS
Optimal growth strategies when mortality and production rates are size-dependent. 1993
DOI: http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?eid=2-s2.0-0027332526&partnerID=MN8TOARS
Duality, observability, and controllability for linear time-varying descriptor systems. 1991
DOI: http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?eid=2-s2.0-0025746894&partnerID=MN8TOARS
Numerical computation of an analytic singular value decomposition of a matrix valued function. 1991
DOI: http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?eid=2-s2.0-0002860879&partnerID=MN8TOARS
Regularization of descriptor systems. 1991
EID: http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?eid=2-s2.0-0026365457&partnerID=MN8TOARS
Robust pole assignment in systems subject to structured perturbations. 1990
DOI: http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?eid=2-s2.0-0025590801&partnerID=MN8TOARS
On the numerical integration of a class of singular perturbation problems. 1989
DOI: http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?eid=2-s2.0-1542277366&partnerID=MN8TOARS
Robust pole assignment in singular control systems. 1989
DOI: http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?eid=2-s2.0-0002790352&partnerID=MN8TOARS
OPTIMAL STRATEGIES FOR PHASE CONTROL OF WAVE ENERGY DEVICES.. 1987
EID: http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?eid=2-s2.0-0023594642&partnerID=MN8TOARS
Robustness in Partial Pole Placement. 1987
DOI: http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?eid=2-s2.0-0023401394&partnerID=MN8TOARS
A conjugate gradient method for the solution of equality constrained least squares problems. 1986
DOI: http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?eid=2-s2.0-84958493280&partnerID=MN8TOARS
ALGORITHMS FOR ROBUST POLE ASSIGNMENT IN SINGULAR SYSTEMS.. 1986
DOI: http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?eid=2-s2.0-0022562632&partnerID=MN8TOARS
Eigenstructure Assignment in Descriptor Systems. 1986
DOI: http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?eid=2-s2.0-0022863919&partnerID=MN8TOARS
LATCHING CONTROL OF A POINT ABSORBER.. 1986
EID: http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?eid=2-s2.0-0022891247&partnerID=MN8TOARS
NUMERICAL METHODS FOR STIFF TWO-POINT BOUNDARY VALUE PROBLEMS.. 1986
DOI: http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?eid=2-s2.0-0022696923&partnerID=MN8TOARS
ON COMPUTATIONAL ALGORITHMS FOR POLE ASSIGNMENT.. 1986
DOI: http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?eid=2-s2.0-0022756384&partnerID=MN8TOARS
Phase control for the oscillating water column.. 1986
EID: http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?eid=2-s2.0-85040855388&partnerID=MN8TOARS
ROBUST CONTROL SYSTEM DESIGN FOR GENERALIZED STATE-SPACE SYSTEMS.. 1986
DOI: http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?eid=2-s2.0-0023027146&partnerID=MN8TOARS
Are patterns of growth adaptive?. 1985
DOI: http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?eid=2-s2.0-0022420392&partnerID=MN8TOARS
PHASE CONTROL FOR THE OSCILLATING WATER COLUMN.. 1985
EID: http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?eid=2-s2.0-0022233611&partnerID=MN8TOARS
Phase control for the oscillating water column.. 1985
EID: http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?eid=2-s2.0-85040882074&partnerID=MN8TOARS
Robust pole assignment in linear state feedback. 1985
DOI: http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?eid=2-s2.0-0022059319&partnerID=MN8TOARS
Some necessary and sufficient conditions for eigenstructure assignment. 1985
DOI: http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?eid=2-s2.0-0022361847&partnerID=MN8TOARS
Optimal control problems in tidal power. 1984
URI: http://centaur.reading.ac.uk/27627/
Robust pole assignment and optimal stability margins. 1984
DOI: http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?eid=2-s2.0-0021753812&partnerID=MN8TOARS
Smoothed histogram modification for image processing. 1984
DOI: http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?eid=2-s2.0-0021634424&partnerID=MN8TOARS
MATRIX FACTORISATION AND SOME APPLICATIONS IN LINEAR SYSTEMS THEORY.. 1983
EID: http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?eid=2-s2.0-0020976578&partnerID=MN8TOARS
Numerical solution of an elastic boundary layer problem using a multiple shooting technique. 1982
DOI: http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?eid=2-s2.0-49049135991&partnerID=MN8TOARS
Optimal resource depletion: Free end time problems. 1982
DOI: http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?eid=2-s2.0-84989082186&partnerID=MN8TOARS
Time-optimal decoupling control problems. 1982
DOI: http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?eid=2-s2.0-0020128041&partnerID=MN8TOARS
Generalized consistent ordering and the optimum successive over-relaxation factor. 1969
DOI: http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?eid=2-s2.0-0039285507&partnerID=MN8TOARS