ESMValCore version 2.15.0 progress and highlights - Released

[flicj191]

ESMValCore release version 2.15.0 is in preparation

see status:

Manager	Buddies	Feature Freeze	Feature branch	Milestone
@flicj191 @rbeucher	@schlunma @valeriupredoi	2026-06-22

Minor Release	Date	RTD	Status/Tag	conda-forge	PyPI	Docker
v2.15.0rc1	2026-06-22	Docs		2.15.0rc1	2.15.0rc1	docker
v2.15.0rc2	2026-06-30	Docs			2.15.0rc2	docker
v2.15.0rc3	2026-07-02	Docs		2.15.0rc3	2.15.0rc3	docker
v2.15.0rc4	2026-07-10	Docs		2.15.0rc4	2.15.0rc4	docker
v2.15.0rc5	2026-07-14	Docs		2.15.0rc5	2.15.0rc5	docker
v2.15.0	2026-07-15	Docs		2.15.0	2.15.0	docker

@ESMValGroup/esmvaltool-developmentteam
As preparations progress, please nominate some highlights for this release.
See changelog for release information.

[bouweandela]

I would propose to highlight the many improvements we have made in supporting CORDEX data, in particular #3112, #3059, #3096, and #3098, but also #3033, #3032, #3110, and #3048.

[bouweandela]

I have added the config label to a few more pull requests, in case you want to regenerate the changelog. I also think the Issues introduced since last release, ESMValGroup/ESMValTool#4389, should be handled manually and added on the same line as where they were introduced, so in this case #3153 should be on the same line as #3072.

[k-a-webb]

I would appreciate if #3165 could be included in the upcoming release, as it's needed to run REF diagnostics with CanESM.
It's marked as a draft at the moment, as I am waiting to hear back from the CanESM team whether the same fix will be needed for the upcoming CMIP7 model runs. It's there's a time crunch to finalized 2.15 sooner than later, I can finish the current PR for CMIP6 models and do another for CMIP7 later.

[rbeucher]

Hi @k-a-webb, we are already behind schedule and would like to finalise as soon as possible. Can you complete your Draft for CMIP6?

[k-a-webb]

I've marked it ready for review, with one check pending that I would appreciate help with.
That said, if there will be another opportunity to include this PR in a release that will be available to REF soon, I don't want to hold up this release. Apologies for the last minute addition, I've been working to figure out why REF diagnostics are failing for CanESM runs.

[malininae]

@rbeucher Kristi and I adjusted it, and I think it's ready. Would be great if someone with write permissions would take a look.

[bouweandela]

The REF runs a development version of ESMValTool and ESMValCore (see here), so can use the latest features without being tied to the ESMValTool release schedule.