NU-WRF Version 8 Patch 4 (v8p4-wrf371-lis71rp8) ("Bjerknes Patch 4") was released on 3 March 2017.

WHAT CHANGED:

* Upgraded LDT to version 7.1rp3.  See lvt/RELEASE_NOTES.txt for changes.
* Updated LDT User Guide in docs/ directory.
* Upgraded LIS to version 7.1rp8, plus additional patch to MERRA2 metforcing
  to support lapse-rate correction option.  See WRFV3/lis/RELEASE_NOTES.txt
  for changes.
* Added tutorial in docs/ directory.
* Added new ideal_scm_lis_xy target.  Compiles IDEAL preprocessor to produce
  inputs for running WRF-LIS in Single Column Mode.
* Added support for ideal_b_wave, ideal_convrad, ideal_heldsuarez, ideal_les,
  ideal_quarter_ss, ideal_scm_xy, ideal_tropical_cyclone targets from
  community WRF 3.7.1.  (Other idealized cases won't compile.)
* Added LIS4SCM preprocessor to make LDT and LIS output files horizontally
  homogenous for use in WRF-LIS Single Column Mode.
* Added scripts for creating SCM forcing from METGRID output (borrowed from
  Josh Hacker, NCAR).
* 4ICE microphysics hand-vectorized by Jarno Mielikainen (University of
  Wisconsin), plus a bug fix for calculating hail intercept parameter.
* 2014 Goddard radiation hand-vectorized by Jarno Mielikainen.
* Updated CASA2WRF pre-processor allowing a moving average window option for
  smoothing daily CO2 flux data.
* Refactored NU-WRF utils to consolidate code and simplify build mechanism.
* Added new './build.sh utils' target to compile all util programs.
* Added REG regression test scripting system.
* Moved User Guide LaTeX files to docs/ directory, and added build option.
* Added tutorial LaTeX files to docs/ directory.
* Updated User Guide contents.
* Removed -ip compiler flag at suggestion of NCAR.

KNOWN BUGS:

Grell-Freitas cumulus scheme (cu_physics=3) is sensitive to CPU count (inherited from WRF 3.7.1).  No fix.
LIS only supports up to 3 grids.
CASA2WRF is not using netCDF4/HDF5 compression in output.
Intel MPI hangs on Discover for large (> 2000 cpu) jobs.  Use SGI MPT instead for big jobs.
Bad TEMF PBL restarts (inherited from WRF 3.7.1).  No fix.
Unphysical results if urban physics only used on some grids (inherited from WRF 3.7.1).  Use urban physics on all grids or on none.