How can I change the the preference of the output history file during a simulation?

[chen63@illinois_edu]

For example, I have run a case as a continuation run for 3 years. From the beginning of the fourth year, I would like to  add more output fields in the history file, or change the output frequency of some field, or add more radiation diagnostic calculations by changing namelist variables. To my understanding, we have to re-configure and re-build the case after change namelist variables, and in that case the model will start to run from the very beginning. Should I perform a branch run or hybrid run for this? Thanks!

 

[eaton]

A branch run can be used if all you want to change are characteristics of the output files (fields, frequency, etc).  For most other changes to the namelist a hybrid run should be used.  However I think that adding radiation diagnostic calculations may work from a branch run since it would be adding new output fields, but would not be changing the simulation.  I'd give it a try as a branch, but if that doesn't work then just use a hybrid run.  In either case rebuilding the executable should not be necessary since this is all functionality that's determined at runtime.