About
Lorenz (1996) introduced dX_k/dt = (X_{k+1}−X_{k-2})X_{k-1} − X_k + F to model atmospheric dynamics with N equally-spaced variables on a latitude circle. The forcing F drives energy into the system; dissipation (−X_k) removes it; the quadratic terms conserve energy and provide advection. Critical F_c ≈ 8/4 (N-dependent). At F=8, the system is strongly chaotic — the standard benchmark for data assimilation and ensemble weather prediction. Ring view shows all N variables; colors encode variable index.