diff --git a/bin/RecenterAnalysisEnsemble.csh b/bin/RecenterAnalysisEnsemble.csh
new file mode 100755
index 00000000..6e29c4ec
--- /dev/null
+++ b/bin/RecenterAnalysisEnsemble.csh
@@ -0,0 +1,107 @@
+#!/bin/csh -f
+
+# (C) Copyright 2025 UCAR
+#
+# This software is licensed under the terms of the Apache Licence Version 2.0
+# which can be obtained at http://www.apache.org/licenses/LICENSE-2.0.
+
+# Recenters an analysis ensemble on a given center state.
+# Currently only works for an EnKF analysis ensemble
+
+source config/environmentJEDI.csh  # sets up the environment etc.
+source config/auto/build.csh  # RecenterBuildDir, RecenterExe
+source config/auto/enkf.csh  # ensPbMemNDigits, ensPbNMembers, ensPbMemPrefix, workDirVarDA
+source config/auto/experiment.csh  # ConfigDir
+source config/auto/model.csh  # outerNamelistFile, outerStreamsFile
+source config/auto/naming.csh  # analysisSubDir, ANFilePrefix, DAWorkDir
+
+# Obtain date information
+# set CYLC_TASK_CYCLE_POINT = "20180415T0600Z"  # will be set by cylc eventually
+echo "Cylc task cycle point: $CYLC_TASK_CYCLE_POINT"  # debugging
+set yyyy = `echo ${CYLC_TASK_CYCLE_POINT} | cut -c 1-4`
+set mm = `echo ${CYLC_TASK_CYCLE_POINT} | cut -c 5-6`
+set dd = `echo ${CYLC_TASK_CYCLE_POINT} | cut -c 7-8`
+set hh = `echo ${CYLC_TASK_CYCLE_POINT} | cut -c 10-11`
+set cycleDate = "${yyyy}${mm}${dd}${hh}"
+set cycleDateISO8601 = "${yyyy}-${mm}-${dd}T${hh}:00:00Z"
+set cycleDateMpas = "${yyyy}-${mm}-${dd}_${hh}.00.00"
+echo "Current cycle date: $cycleDate"  # debugging
+
+# Change to work directory and copy configuration yaml file
+set cyclingDADirEnKF = "${DAWorkDir}/${cycleDate}"
+set yamlFileRecenter = "recenter.yaml"
+cd "${cyclingDADirEnKF}/run"
+echo "Working in directory: `pwd`"  # debugging
+cp -v "${ConfigDir}/jedi/applications/${yamlFileRecenter}" "$yamlFileRecenter"
+if ( $status != 0 ) then
+  echo "ERROR: recenter yaml not available --> $yamlFileRecenter" > ./FAIL
+  exit 1
+endif
+
+# Populate placeholders in yaml file
+# 1) date information
+sed -i "s@{{cycleDateISO8601}}@$cycleDateISO8601@" $yamlFileRecenter
+
+# 2) center geometry information
+# todo: update so that varDA can have different resolution
+set cyclingDADirVar = "${workDirVarDA}/CyclingDA/${cycleDate}"
+set namelistFileCenter = "${cyclingDADirVar}/${outerNamelistFile}"
+set streamsFileCenter = "${cyclingDADirVar}/${outerStreamsFile}"
+sed -i "s@{{namelistFileCenter}}@$namelistFileCenter@" $yamlFileRecenter
+sed -i "s@{{streamsFileCenter}}@$streamsFileCenter@" $yamlFileRecenter
+
+# 3) center analysis information.
+# The current assumption is that analysisSubDir and ANFilePrefix in the
+# EnKF and var DA run are identical. This is not necessarily true but reasonable
+# set mpasFileSuffix = '$Y-$M-$D_$h.$m.$s.nc'
+set mpasFileSuffix = "${cycleDateMpas}.nc"
+set analysisFileCenter = "${cyclingDADirVar}/${analysisSubDir}/${ANFilePrefix}.${mpasFileSuffix}"
+sed -i "s@{{analysisFileCenter}}@$analysisFileCenter@" $yamlFileRecenter
+
+# 4) EnKF ensemble geometry information
+# set cyclingDADirEnKF = "${DAWorkDir}/${cycleDate}"
+set namelistFileEnsemble = "${cyclingDADirEnKF}/${outerNamelistFile}"
+set streamsFileEnsemble = "${cyclingDADirEnKF}/${outerStreamsFile}"
+sed -i "s@{{namelistFileEnsemble}}@$namelistFileEnsemble@" $yamlFileRecenter
+sed -i "s@{{streamsFileEnsemble}}@$streamsFileEnsemble@" $yamlFileRecenter
+
+# 5) EnKF analysis ensemble information
+# Add an _orig suffix to label the original analysis ensemble member
+set analysisFileEnsembleBase = "${ANFilePrefix}_orig.${mpasFileSuffix}"
+# set analysisFileEnsemble = "${cyclingDADirEnKF}/${analysisSubDir}/${ensPbMemPrefix}%iMember%/${ANFilePrefix}_orig.${mpasFileSuffix}"
+set analysisFileEnsemble = "${cyclingDADirEnKF}/${analysisSubDir}/${ensPbMemPrefix}%iMember%/${analysisFileEnsembleBase}"
+sed -i "s@{{analysisFileEnsemble}}@$analysisFileEnsemble@" $yamlFileRecenter
+sed -i "s@{{paddingEnsembleMembers}}@$ensPbMemNDigits@" $yamlFileRecenter
+sed -i "s@{{numberEnsembleMembers}}@$ensPbNMembers@" $yamlFileRecenter
+
+# 6) Recentered output
+# The recentered analysis files obtain the standard analysis file name, so that a subsequent
+# forecast can be started from them 
+set analysisFileRecenterBase = "${ANFilePrefix}.${mpasFileSuffix}"
+# set analysisFileRecenter = "${cyclingDADirEnKF}/${analysisSubDir}/${ensPbMemPrefix}%iMember%/${ANFilePrefix}.${mpasFileSuffix}"
+set analysisFileRecenter = "${cyclingDADirEnKF}/${analysisSubDir}/${ensPbMemPrefix}%{member}%/${analysisFileRecenterBase}"
+sed -i "s@{{analysisFileRecenter}}@$analysisFileRecenter@" $yamlFileRecenter
+
+# Copy original analysis files (recall that the recentered files have the original name)
+@ i = 1
+while ( $i <= $ensPbNMembers )
+    set memberDirBase = `printf "${ensPbMemPrefix}%0${ensPbMemNDigits}d" $i`
+    set memberDir = "${cyclingDADirEnKF}/${analysisSubDir}/${memberDirBase}"
+    cp -v "${memberDir}/${analysisFileRecenterBase}" "${memberDir}/${analysisFileEnsembleBase}"
+    @ i++
+end
+
+# Link and run the recentering executable. This overwrites the analysis files
+set jediOutputFile = "recenter.log"
+ln -sfv "${RecenterBuildDir}/${RecenterEXE}" ./
+mpiexec "./${RecenterEXE}" "$yamlFileRecenter" "./${jediOutputFile}" >& recenter.log.all
+
+# Make sure the application terminated successfully
+grep 'Run: Finishing oops.* with status = 0' "$jediOutputFile"
+if ( $status != 0 ) then
+  echo "ERROR: recenter application failed" > ./FAIL
+  exit 1
+# to do: is a further cleanup along these lines necessary?
+# else
+#   rm ${appName}.log.0*
+endif
diff --git a/config/jedi/applications/recenter.yaml b/config/jedi/applications/recenter.yaml
new file mode 100644
index 00000000..a3ab560a
--- /dev/null
+++ b/config/jedi/applications/recenter.yaml
@@ -0,0 +1,118 @@
+# Variables to recenter: _state variables
+# ---------------------------------------
+# All variables from the da_stream I/O stream are recentered, except for the following:
+# 1) static variables (terrain, hydrostatic balances):
+# - ter
+# - xland
+# - dzs
+# - zs
+# - pressure_base
+# - rho_base
+# - theta_base
+#
+# 2) real-valued variables that are identical across ensemble members:
+# - sfc_albbck
+# - sfc_emibck
+#
+# 3) scalar integer variables identical across ensemble members
+#    (a real-valued mean would not be meaningful)
+# - isice_lu
+# - iswater_lu
+#
+# 4) variables containing information about past states
+# - xicem
+# - h_oml_initial
+#
+# 5) redundant variables
+# - air_pressure  (note: we do recenter pressure_p)
+
+_state variables: &daStateVars
+- water_vapor_mixing_ratio_wrt_dry_air
+- cloud_liquid_water
+- rain_water
+- cloud_liquid_ice
+- snow_water
+- graupel
+- cloud_ice_number_concentration
+- rain_number_concentration
+- cloud_droplet_number_concentration
+- u
+- w
+- dry_air_density
+- pressure_p
+- air_potential_temperature
+- relative_humidity
+- eastward_wind
+- northward_wind
+- air_pressure_at_surface
+- cldfrac
+- re_cloud
+- re_ice
+- re_snow
+- refl10cm
+- refl10cm_max
+- rainc
+- rainnc
+- lai
+- sfc_albedo
+- mavail
+- sfc_emiss
+- thc
+- ust
+- z0
+- znt
+- skin_temperature_at_surface
+- snow
+- snowc
+- snowh
+- sst
+- tmn
+- vegetation_area_fraction
+- seaice
+- seaice_fraction
+- eastward_wind_at_10m
+- northward_wind_at_10m
+- water_vapor_mixing_ratio_wrt_moist_air_at_2m
+- air_temperature_at_2m
+- precipw
+- sh2o
+- smois
+- tslb
+
+_current date: &currentDate {{cycleDateISO8601}}
+
+recenter variables: *daStateVars
+
+center geometry:
+  nml_file: {{namelistFileCenter}}
+  streams_file: {{streamsFileCenter}}
+  deallocate non-da fields: false
+
+center:
+  filename: {{analysisFileCenter}}
+  date: *currentDate
+  state variables: *daStateVars
+  stream name: da_state
+  transform model to analysis: false
+
+ensemble geometry:
+  nml_file: {{namelistFileEnsemble}}
+  streams_file: {{streamsFileEnsemble}}
+  deallocate non-da fields: false
+
+ensemble:
+  members from template:
+    template:
+      date: *currentDate
+      state variables: *daStateVars
+      filename: {{analysisFileEnsemble}}
+      stream name: da_state
+      transform model to analysis: false
+    pattern: %iMember%
+    start: 1
+    zero padding: {{paddingEnsembleMembers}}
+    nmembers: {{numberEnsembleMembers}}
+
+recentered output:
+  filename: {{analysisFileRecenter}}
+  stream name: da_state
diff --git a/initialize/applications/DA.py b/initialize/applications/DA.py
index 74f2c27d..a6e2043e 100644
--- a/initialize/applications/DA.py
+++ b/initialize/applications/DA.py
@@ -176,6 +176,7 @@ def export(self, previousForecast:str, ef:ExtendedForecast):
     for st in self.__subtasks:
       self._tasks += st._tasks
       self._dependencies += st._dependencies
+      self._xtriggers += st._xtriggers
 
     # depends on previous Forecast
     self.tf.addDependencies([previousForecast])
diff --git a/initialize/applications/EnKF.py b/initialize/applications/EnKF.py
index 3689dcc1..5965cea1 100755
--- a/initialize/applications/EnKF.py
+++ b/initialize/applications/EnKF.py
@@ -1,6 +1,8 @@
 #!/usr/bin/env python3
 
 from collections import OrderedDict
+from getpass import getuser
+import os.path
 
 from initialize.applications.Members import Members
 
@@ -86,6 +88,7 @@ class EnKF(Component):
     'biasCorrection': [False, bool],
 
     # directories that stores varBC coefficients that are updated with variational DA
+    # if coupledToVarDA == True the staticVarBcDir is automatically set to the coupled var DA directory
     'staticVarBcDir': ['/glade/campaign/mmm/parc/ivette/pandac/year7Exp/ivette_3dhybrid-allsky-60-60-iter_O30kmI60km_ensB-SE80+RTPP70_VarBC_v3.0.2_newBenchmark_allsky-amsua/CyclingDA', str],
 
     ## tropprsMethod
@@ -118,6 +121,34 @@ class EnKF(Component):
     ## IR/VIS land surface coefficients classification
     # OPTIONS: USGS, IGBP, NPOESS
     'IRVISlandCoeff': ['IGBP', str],
+
+    ## Coupling to an external variational DA run
+    # When coupledToVarDA is true, this EnKF run can be recentered (recenterAnalyses == True) on the variational DA run and/or
+    # it can use the variational bias correction coefficients (biasCorrection == True) of the variational DA run
+    'coupledToVarDA': [False, bool],
+
+    ## Recentering of analysis ensemble
+    # When recenterAnalyses is true, the analysis ensemble of this EnKF is recentered on the analysis of a
+    # concurrently running var DA run. Requires coupledToVarDA == True.
+    # The recentering application is not implemented yet.
+    'recenterAnalyses': [False, bool],
+  }
+
+  optionalVariables = {
+    ## Coupling to an external variational DA run
+    # Must be specified if coupledToVarDA == True, not used otherwise
+    # Specify the full name of the workflow, constructed as:
+    # Experiment['prefix'] + Experiment['name'] + Experiment['suffix'] + Experiment['suite identifier']
+    # The default values are:
+    # Experiment['prefix'] = "${USER}_"
+    # Experiment['name']: see Cycle.py
+    # Experiment['suffix'] = ""
+    # Experiment['suite identifier'] = ""
+    # It is best practice to specify the experiment prefix, name, and suffix in the coupled yaml files
+    # to make sure the coupled workflow can be identified correctly.
+    # Note: the workflow automatically prepends 'MPAS-Workflow' to workflowNameVarDA where needed
+    # to make the identifier consistent with submit.csh
+    'workflowNameVarDA': str,
   }
 
   def __init__(self,
@@ -183,6 +214,31 @@ def __init__(self,
     # TODO: this needs to be non-zero for EnKF workflows that use IAU, get value from forecast
     self._set('ensPbOffsetHR', 0)
 
+    # coupling to variational DA
+    if self['coupledToVarDA']:
+      # A coupled EnKF run should use some information from the variational DA.
+      # Stop the run if no information is used in the current configuration to make sure
+      # user can adjust settings.
+      if not self['biasCorrection'] and not self['recenterAnalyses']:
+        raise ValueError(("Coupled EnKF does not use any information from var DA."
+                          "biasCorrectionEnKF and/or recenterAnalyses should be set to true."))
+      # A coupled EnKF run requires the name of the variational DA workflow to
+      # set the external dependency
+      if self['workflowNameVarDA'] is None:
+        raise ValueError("workflowNameVarDA has to be specified for a coupled EnKF")
+      # Export the var DA run information to the csh file
+      self._set('workflowNameVarDA', self['workflowNameVarDA'])
+      workDirVarDA = os.path.join('/glade', 'derecho', 'scratch', getuser(),
+                           'pandac', self['workflowNameVarDA'])
+      self._set('workDirVarDA', workDirVarDA)
+      # Overwrite the static var BC directory to make sure we are reading the satbias files from
+      # the coupled var DA run
+      self._set('staticVarBcDir', f'{os.path.join(workDirVarDA, "CyclingDA")}')
+    else:
+      # Recentering the analysis ensemble is not defined if the EnKF run is not coupled.
+      if self['recenterAnalyses']:
+        raise NotImplementedError("Recentering of the analyses ensemble is undefined if the EnKF run is not coupled.")
+
     self._cshVars = list(self._vtable.keys())
 
     ########################
@@ -262,6 +318,60 @@ def __init__(self,
     inherit = '''+self.tf.execute+''', BATCH
     script = $origin/bin/EnKF.csh Solver
 '''+solvertask.job()+solvertask.directives()]
+      
+      if self['coupledToVarDA']:
+        # The coupled EnKF run uses the analysis file and/or the variational bias correction files
+        # from the variational DA run. This introduces a dependency between the EnKF and the
+        # variational DA at the current cycle point. The following external trigger defines this dependency.
+        # Note: submit.csh prepends 'MPAS-Workflow/' to the workflow name to generate the workflow ID
+        workflowIdVarDA = os.path.join('MPAS-Workflow', self['workflowNameVarDA'])
+        callIntervalInS = 30  # call interval for external trigger (default is 10)
+        self._xtriggers +=[('\n'
+                            '    var_da = workflow_state('
+                            f'workflow="{workflowIdVarDA}", '
+                            'task="DAFinished__", point="%(point)s")'
+                            f':PT{callIntervalInS}S')]
+        
+        # Add the dependency on the var DA run to the graph
+        self._dependencies += [('\n'
+                                '        @var_da => ' + self.tf.pre)]
+        if self['recenterAnalyses']:
+          # Add the dependency: the EnKFDiagOMA task is optional. If the task is enabled, the recentering
+          # task should run after it. If it is not enabled, the recentering task should run after the solver task.
+          if self['diagEnKFOMA'] and self['retainObsFeedback']:
+            self._dependencies += [('\n'
+                                    '        EnKFDiagOMA => RecenterEnKF')]
+          else:
+            self._dependencies += [('\n'
+                                    '        EnKFSolver => RecenterEnKF')]
+          # Add the task
+          keyListRecenter = {
+            # Notes:
+            # - the recenter application is currently small enough to run on develop
+            # - the develop queue does not support a job_priority flag, so removed this for now
+            'retry': {'t': str},
+            'baseSeconds': {'t': int},
+            'secondsPerMember': {'t': int},
+            'nodes': {'t': int},
+            'PEPerNode': {'t': int},
+            'memory': {'t': str},
+            'queue': {'def': hpc['SharedQueue']},
+            'account': {'def': hpc['CriticalAccount']},
+            'email': {'def': True, 't': bool},
+          }
+          resourceRecenter = meshes['Outer'].name + '.' + solver + '.recenter'
+          recenterJob = Resource(self._conf, keyListRecenter, ('job', resourceRecenter))
+          recenterJob._set('seconds', recenterJob['baseSeconds'] + recenterJob['secondsPerMember'] * NN)
+          recenterTask = TaskLookup[hpc.system](recenterJob)
+          self._tasks += [('\n'
+                           '  [[RecenterEnKF]]'
+                           '\n'
+                           f'    inherit = {self.tf.execute}, BATCH'
+                           '\n'
+                           '    script = $origin/bin/RecenterAnalysisEnsemble.csh'
+                           '\n'
+                           f'{recenterTask.job() + recenterTask.directives()}'
+                           '\n')]
 
       if self['diagEnKFOMA'] and self['retainObsFeedback']:
          self._tasks += ['''
diff --git a/initialize/applications/Variational.py b/initialize/applications/Variational.py
index 65fb5a5b..61185ca4 100644
--- a/initialize/applications/Variational.py
+++ b/initialize/applications/Variational.py
@@ -8,6 +8,8 @@
 '''
 
 from collections import OrderedDict
+from getpass import getuser
+import os.path
 
 from initialize.applications.Members import Members
 
@@ -40,6 +42,20 @@ class Variational(Component):
     'ensembleCovarianceWeight': float,
     'staticCovarianceWeight': float,
 
+    ## Coupling to an external EnKF run
+    # Must be specified if coupledToEnKF == True, not used otherwise
+    # Specify the full name of the workflow, constructed as:
+    # Experiment['prefix'] + Experiment['name'] + Experiment['suffix'] + Experiment['suite identifier']
+    # The default values are:
+    # Experiment['prefix'] = "${USER}_"
+    # Experiment['name']: see Cycle.py
+    # Experiment['suffix'] = ""
+    # Experiment['suite identifier'] = ""
+    # It is best practice to specify the experiment prefix, name, and suffix in the coupled yaml files
+    # to make sure the coupled workflow can be identified correctly.
+    # Note: the workflow automatically prepends 'MPAS-Workflow' to workflowNameEnKF where needed
+    # to make the identifier consistent with submit.csh
+    'workflowNameEnKF': str,
   }
 
   variablesWithDefaults = {
@@ -154,6 +170,11 @@ class Variational(Component):
     ## IR/VIS land surface coefficients classification
     # OPTIONS: USGS, IGBP, NPOESS
     'IRVISlandCoeff': ['IGBP', str],
+
+    ## Coupling to an external EnKF run
+    # When coupledToEnKF is true, this variational run uses the forecast ensemble of a
+    # concurrently running external EnKF run to construct the ensemble B matrix.
+    'coupledToEnKF': [False, bool],
   }
 
   def __init__(self,
@@ -286,6 +307,22 @@ def __init__(self,
       self._setOrDie('.'.join(['covariance', r, 'bumpCovVBalDir']), str, None, 'bumpCovVBalDir')
       self._setOrDie('.'.join(['covariance', r, 'hybridCoefficientsDir']), str, None, 'hybridCoefficientsDir')
 
+    # coupling to EnKF
+    if self['coupledToEnKF']:
+        # The coupling to EnKF is meaningful if we run a single variational DA, but undefined
+        # if we run an EDA
+        if self.NN > 1:
+          raise NotImplementedError("Behavior of EDA coupled to EnKF is undefined. Set members.n == 1.")
+        # A coupled variational run requires the name of the EnKF workflow to
+        # set the external dependency
+        if self['workflowNameEnKF'] is None:
+          raise ValueError("workflowNameEnKF has to be specified for a coupled Var DA")
+        # Overwrite the ensemble directory to make sure we are reading the forecasts from the
+        # coupled EnKF run
+        workDirEnKF = os.path.join('/glade', 'derecho', 'scratch', getuser(),
+                           'pandac', self['workflowNameEnKF'])
+        self._set('ensPbDir0', f'{os.path.join(workDirEnKF, "CyclingFC", "{{prevDateTime}}")}')
+
     self._cshVars = list(self._vtable.keys())
 
     ########################
@@ -355,7 +392,26 @@ def __init__(self,
   [[Variationals]]
     inherit = '''+self.tf.execute+'''
 '''+vartask.job()+vartask.directives()]
- 
+      
+      if self['coupledToEnKF']:
+        # The coupled variational run uses the forecast ensemble from the EnKF to generate
+        # the ensemble B. This introduces a dependency between the variational DA at the current
+        # cycle point and the EnKF forecast from the previous cycle point. The following external
+        # trigger defines this dependency.
+        # Note: submit.csh prepends 'MPAS-Workflow/' to the workflow name to generate the workflow ID
+        workflowIdEnKF = os.path.join('MPAS-Workflow', self['workflowNameEnKF'])
+        callIntervalInS = 30  # call interval for external trigger (default is 10)
+        self._xtriggers +=[('\n'
+                            '    enkf_forecast = workflow_state('
+                            f'workflow="{workflowIdEnKF}", '
+                            'task="ForecastFinished__", point="%(point)s", '
+                            f'offset="-PT{workflow["CyclingWindowHR"]}H")'
+                            f':PT{callIntervalInS}S')]
+      
+        # Add the external dependency to the graph
+        self._dependencies += [('\n'
+                                '        @enkf_forecast => ' + self.tf.pre)]
+
       if EDASize == 1:
         # single instance or ensemble of Variational(s)
         for mm in range(1, self.NN+1, 1):
diff --git a/initialize/config/Component.py b/initialize/config/Component.py
index 7b18e0d3..9aa1be08 100644
--- a/initialize/config/Component.py
+++ b/initialize/config/Component.py
@@ -37,6 +37,7 @@ def __init__(self, config:Config):
     self._queues = []
     self._tasks = []
     self._dependencies = []
+    self._xtriggers = []
 
     ###################
     # extract SubConfig
diff --git a/initialize/framework/Build.py b/initialize/framework/Build.py
index ff441d01..42f607bf 100644
--- a/initialize/framework/Build.py
+++ b/initialize/framework/Build.py
@@ -110,6 +110,10 @@ def __init__(self, config:Config, model:Model=None):
     self._set('SACAEXE', 'mpasjedi_saca.x')
     self._set('SACABuildDir', self['mpas bundle']+'/bin')
 
+    ## Ensemble recentering
+    self._set('RecenterEXE', 'mpasjedi_ens_recenter.x')
+    self._set('RecenterBuildDir', self['mpas bundle']+'/bin')
+
     if model is not None:
 
       # MPAS-Model
diff --git a/initialize/suites/Cycle.py b/initialize/suites/Cycle.py
index bd6ca884..a0cd4bb5 100644
--- a/initialize/suites/Cycle.py
+++ b/initialize/suites/Cycle.py
@@ -115,3 +115,7 @@ def __init__(self, conf:Config):
       'initic',
       'observations',
     ]
+
+    self.xtriggerComponents += [
+      'da'
+    ]
diff --git a/initialize/suites/SuiteBase.py b/initialize/suites/SuiteBase.py
index ca63c071..2b86ec58 100644
--- a/initialize/suites/SuiteBase.py
+++ b/initialize/suites/SuiteBase.py
@@ -28,10 +28,12 @@ def __init__(self, conf:Config):
     self.queueComponents = []
     self.dependencyComponents = []
     self.taskComponents = []
+    self.xtriggerComponents = []
 
     self._queues = []
     self._dependencies = []
     self._tasks = []
+    self._xtriggers = []
 
     self.logPrefix = self.__class__.__name__+': '
     host = os.getenv('NCAR_HOST')
@@ -122,6 +124,11 @@ def submit(self):
       self._tasks += ['''
   # '''+ k]
       self._tasks += self.c[k]._tasks
+    
+    for k in self.xtriggerComponents:
+      self._xtriggers += ['''
+    # ''' + k]
+      self._xtriggers += self.c[k]._xtriggers
 
     self.__export()
 
@@ -170,6 +177,9 @@ def __export(self):
   # default: 3
   runahead limit = P'''+str(self.c['workflow']['max active cycle points']-1)+'''
 
+  [[xtriggers]]
+'''+''.join(self._xtriggers)+'''
+
   [[queues]]
 '''+''.join(self._queues)+'''
 
diff --git a/scenarios/3denvar_OIE120km_coupled.yaml b/scenarios/3denvar_OIE120km_coupled.yaml
new file mode 100644
index 00000000..c28d7740
--- /dev/null
+++ b/scenarios/3denvar_OIE120km_coupled.yaml
@@ -0,0 +1,48 @@
+experiment:
+  prefix: "stoedtli_"
+  name: '3denvar_120km_coupled_'
+  suffix: "1"
+
+firstbackground:
+  resource: "PANDAC.GFS"
+
+forecast:
+  #execute: False # the default is True
+  post: ['verifymodel'] # use this when doing extended forecast
+
+externalanalyses:
+  resource: "GFS.PANDAC"
+
+members:
+  n: 1
+
+model:
+  outerMesh: 120km
+  innerMesh: 120km
+  ensembleMesh: 120km
+
+observations:
+  resource: PANDACArchiveForVarBC
+
+variational:
+  DAType: 3denvar
+  biasCorrection: True
+  nInnerIterations: [60,60,]
+  ensemble:
+    forecasts:
+      # resource: "PANDAC.GETKF_uncoupled"
+      resource: "PANDAC.GETKF_coupled"
+  #execute: False # the default is True
+  post: [] # this turns off verifyobs
+  coupledToEnKF: True
+  workflowNameEnKF: "stoedtli_getkf_120km_20mem_coupled_1"
+
+workflow:
+  first cycle point: 20180414T18
+  #restart cycle point: 20180415T00
+  final cycle point: 20180422T00
+  #CyclingWindowHR: 24 # default is 6 for cycling DA
+  #max active cycle points: 4 # used for independent 'extendedforecast'
+
+build:
+  mpas bundle: /glade/derecho/scratch/stoedtli/recenter_multires/mpas-bundle/build
diff --git a/scenarios/3denvar_OIE120km_uncoupled.yaml b/scenarios/3denvar_OIE120km_uncoupled.yaml
new file mode 100644
index 00000000..e7767e79
--- /dev/null
+++ b/scenarios/3denvar_OIE120km_uncoupled.yaml
@@ -0,0 +1,46 @@
+experiment:
+  prefix: "stoedtli_"
+  name: '3denvar_120km_uncoupled_'
+  suffix: "1"
+
+firstbackground:
+  resource: "PANDAC.GFS"
+
+forecast:
+  execute: False # the default is True
+  post: ['verifymodel'] # use this when doing extended forecast
+
+externalanalyses:
+  resource: "GFS.PANDAC"
+
+members:
+  n: 1
+
+model:
+  outerMesh: 120km
+  innerMesh: 120km
+  ensembleMesh: 120km
+
+observations:
+  resource: PANDACArchiveForVarBC
+
+variational:
+  DAType: 3denvar
+  biasCorrection: True
+  nInnerIterations: [60,60,]
+  ensemble:
+    forecasts:
+      resource: "PANDAC.GETKF_uncoupled"
+  execute: False # the default is True
+  post: [] # this turns off verifyobs
+  coupledToEnKF: False
+
+workflow:
+  first cycle point: 20180414T18
+  #restart cycle point: 20180415T00
+  final cycle point: 20180422T00
+  #CyclingWindowHR: 24 # default is 6 for cycling DA
+  #max active cycle points: 4 # used for independent 'extendedforecast'
+
+build:
+  mpas bundle: /glade/derecho/scratch/stoedtli/recenter_multires/mpas-bundle/build
diff --git a/scenarios/defaults/enkf.yaml b/scenarios/defaults/enkf.yaml
index dabc43f3..26328d54 100644
--- a/scenarios/defaults/enkf.yaml
+++ b/scenarios/defaults/enkf.yaml
@@ -127,30 +127,26 @@ enkf:
           secondsPerMember: 3
       GETKF:
         observer:
-          # cost for record (20 members, 95% variance retained [13 eig], PBS JOB email)
-          # 8 x 32 PE : 12.2 min., 118 GB (single precision)
-          nodes: 2
-          PEPerNode: 128
+          nodes: 1
+          PEPerNode: 64
           memory: 235GB
-          baseSeconds: 800
-          secondsPerMember: 50
+          baseSeconds: 200
+          secondsPerMember: 20
         solver:
-          # cost for record (5 members, PBS JOB email)
-          # 4 x 32 PE : ?.? min., ?? GB (single precision)
-          # 8 x 32 PE : ?.? min., ?? GB (single precision)
-          nodes: 2
+          nodes: 1
           PEPerNode: 128
           memory: 235GB
           baseSeconds: 200
-          secondsPerMember: 300
+          secondsPerMember: 20
         diagoma:
-          # cost for record (5 members, PBS JOB email)
-          # 2 x 32 PE : 1.7 min., 14.6 GB (single precision)
-          # 2 x 32 PE : 3.5 min., 31 GB (double precision)
-          # cost for record (20 members, PBS JOB email)
-          # 2 x 32 PE : 3.0 min., 31.7 GB (single precision)
-          nodes: 2
-          PEPerNode: 128
+          nodes: 1
+          PEPerNode: 64
           memory: 235GB
-          baseSeconds: 300
-          secondsPerMember: 3
+          baseSeconds: 200
+          secondsPerMember: 10
+        recenter:
+          nodes: 1
+          PEPerNode: 1
+          memory: 45GB
+          baseSeconds: 100
+          secondsPerMember: 10
diff --git a/scenarios/defaults/variational.yaml b/scenarios/defaults/variational.yaml
index eddb2e24..3d72d32e 100644
--- a/scenarios/defaults/variational.yaml
+++ b/scenarios/defaults/variational.yaml
@@ -112,6 +112,26 @@ variational:
             #  zero padding: 3
             #  nmembers: 80
 
+        GETKF_coupled:
+          120km:
+            directory0: 'setByCoupledWorkflow'
+            memberPrefix: mem
+            memberNDigits: 3
+            maxMembers: 20
+
+          60km:
+            directory0: 'setByCoupledWorkflow'
+            memberPrefix: mem
+            memberNDigits: 3
+            maxMembers: 20
+
+        GETKF_uncoupled:
+          120km:
+            directory0: '/glade/derecho/scratch/stoedtli/pandac/stoedtli_getkf_120km_20mem_uncoupled_1/CyclingFC/{{prevDateTime}}'
+            memberPrefix: mem
+            memberNDigits: 3
+            maxMembers: 20
+
     # externally-produced localization files
     localization:
       #{{ensembleMesh}}:
diff --git a/scenarios/getkf_OIE120km_coupled.yaml b/scenarios/getkf_OIE120km_coupled.yaml
new file mode 100644
index 00000000..f73beec5
--- /dev/null
+++ b/scenarios/getkf_OIE120km_coupled.yaml
@@ -0,0 +1,54 @@
+experiment:
+  prefix: 'stoedtli_'
+  name: 'getkf_120km_20mem_coupled_'
+  suffix: '1'
+
+enkf:
+  solver: GETKF
+  # localization
+  horizontal localization lengthscale: 1.2e6
+  vertical localization lengthscale: 6000.0
+  vertical localization lengthscale units: height
+  fraction of retained variance: 0.95
+  # inflation
+  rtpp value: 0.5
+  rtps value: 0.9
+  # ensemble observation equivalent (background, analysis)
+  retainObsFeedback: True
+  concatenateObsFeedback: False
+  # coupling to var DA (bias correction, recentering)
+  coupledToVarDA: True
+  workflowNameVarDA: 'stoedtli_3denvar_120km_coupled_1'
+  recenterAnalyses: True
+  biasCorrection: True
+  #staticVarBcDir: /glade/campaign/mmm/parc/jban/pandac/year7Exp/jban_3dhybrid-60-60-iter_O30kmI60km_mhsRaw_clrsky/CyclingDA
+  post: []
+
+externalanalyses:
+  resource: "GFS.PANDAC"
+
+firstbackground:
+  resource: "PANDAC.EnsPertB"
+
+forecast:
+  post: []
+
+members:
+  n: 20
+
+model:
+  outerMesh: 120km
+  # TODO: make inner and ensemble meshes unnecessary
+  # related to {{PrepareExternalAnalysisInner}} and {{PrepareExternalAnalysisEnsemble}}
+  innerMesh: 120km
+  ensembleMesh: 120km
+
+observations:
+  resource: PANDACArchiveForVarBC
+
+workflow:
+  first cycle point: 20180414T18
+  final cycle point: 20180422T00
+
+build:
+  mpas bundle: /glade/derecho/scratch/stoedtli/recenter_multires/mpas-bundle/build
diff --git a/scenarios/getkf_OIE120km_uncoupled.yaml b/scenarios/getkf_OIE120km_uncoupled.yaml
new file mode 100644
index 00000000..2552fcc1
--- /dev/null
+++ b/scenarios/getkf_OIE120km_uncoupled.yaml
@@ -0,0 +1,55 @@
+experiment:
+  prefix: 'stoedtli_'
+  name: 'getkf_120km_20mem_uncoupled_'
+  suffix: '1'
+
+enkf:
+  solver: GETKF
+  # localization
+  horizontal localization lengthscale: 1.2e6
+  vertical localization lengthscale: 6000.0
+  vertical localization lengthscale units: height
+  fraction of retained variance: 0.95
+  # inflation
+  rtpp value: 0.5
+  rtps value: 0.9
+  # ensemble observation equivalent (background, analysis)
+  retainObsFeedback: True
+  concatenateObsFeedback: False
+  # coupling to var DA (bias correction, recentering)
+  coupledToVarDA: False
+  #workflowNameVarDA: 'stoedtli_3dhybrid_coupled_test_3'
+  #recenterAnalyses: False  # not implemented yet
+  biasCorrection: True
+  staticVarBcDir: /glade/campaign/mmm/parc/jban/pandac/year7Exp/jban_3dhybrid-60-60-iter_O30kmI60km_mhsRaw_clrsky/CyclingDA
+  post: []
+
+externalanalyses:
+  resource: "GFS.PANDAC"
+
+firstbackground:
+  resource: "PANDAC.EnsPertB"
+
+forecast:
+  post: []
+
+members:
+  n: 20
+
+model:
+  outerMesh: 120km
+  # TODO: make inner and ensemble meshes unnecessary
+  # related to {{PrepareExternalAnalysisInner}} and {{PrepareExternalAnalysisEnsemble}}
+  innerMesh: 120km
+  ensembleMesh: 120km
+
+observations:
+  resource: PANDACArchiveForVarBC
+
+workflow:
+  first cycle point: 20180414T18
+  #restart cycle point: 20180415T06
+  final cycle point: 20180422T00
+
+build:
+  mpas bundle: /glade/derecho/scratch/stoedtli/recenter_multires/mpas-bundle/build