On the modeling side, the development of a non-hydrostatic and distributed memory version of the unified GEM model for operational very-short-range to medium-range forecasting with improved hydrological, cloud and surface processes, processes and statistical post-processing will be our main priority . This research plan includes development of coupled versions of the GEM model for atmosphere-hydrology and atmosphere-ocean problems (such as multi-seasonal forecasting) and the development of a nested non-hydrostatic version of GEM for the use of the Canadian and international research community. Research and development effort will also continue to be focused on upward extension of GEM and its associated data assimilation system in the stratosphere as a tool for integrating Canadian middle atmosphere space and ground-based measurement and chemical modeling activities. Finally our research and development effort will continue for the 4D data assimilation system.