diff --git a/README.md b/README.md
index ca67329a4..e9d5c46e4 100644
--- a/README.md
+++ b/README.md
@@ -74,7 +74,7 @@ directory):
 - sfc_climo_gen
 - vcoord_gen
 
-The reg_tests directory contains the regression test code.
+The reg_tests directory contains the consistency test code.
 
 The fix directory is where we set links to directories containing
 large, static data files used by UFS_UTILS programs.
@@ -96,7 +96,7 @@ create a model grid on officially supported HPC platforms.
 
 The modulefiles directory contains modules loaded when building
 UFS_UTILS on supported HPC platforms.  They are also loaded at runtime
-by utility and regression test scripts.
+by utility and consistency test scripts.
 
 The docs directory contains the control file for the doxygen
 documentation build, as well as some markdown files which are part of
diff --git a/reg_tests/chgres_cube/README b/reg_tests/chgres_cube/README
index bf7ca728d..424accd4b 100644
--- a/reg_tests/chgres_cube/README
+++ b/reg_tests/chgres_cube/README
@@ -1,9 +1,9 @@
-This series of regression tests must be run before any
+This series of consistency tests must be run before any
 changes to the chgres_cube program are merged to the
 main line of development.  Any test failures must
 be resolved or explained before merging.
 
-To run the regression tests:
+To run the consistency tests:
 
 1) Build chgres_cube program.  Go to ./sorc and
    invoke 'build_all.sh' with no arguments.
diff --git a/reg_tests/chgres_cube/driver.hera.sh b/reg_tests/chgres_cube/driver.hera.sh
index cbabc7b36..9e8c567a1 100755
--- a/reg_tests/chgres_cube/driver.hera.sh
+++ b/reg_tests/chgres_cube/driver.hera.sh
@@ -2,14 +2,14 @@
 
 #-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
 #
-# Run the chgres_cube regression tests on Hera.
+# Run the chgres_cube consistency tests on Hera.
 #
 # Set OUTDIR to your working directory.  Set the PROJECT_CODE and QUEUE
 # as appropriate.  To see which projects you are authorized to use,
 # type "account_params".
 #
 # Invoke the script with no arguments.  A series of daily-chained
-# regression tests will be submitted.  To check the queue, type:
+# consistency tests will be submitted.  To check the queue, type:
 # "squeue -u USERNAME".
 #
 # The run output will be stored in OUTDIR.  Log output from the suite
@@ -47,7 +47,7 @@ export HOMEufs=$PWD/../..
 
 export HOMEreg=/scratch1/NCEPDEV/da/George.Gayno/noscrub/reg_tests/chgres_cube
 
-LOG_FILE=regression.log
+LOG_FILE=consistency.log
 SUM_FILE=summary.log
 rm -f $LOG_FILE $SUM_FILE
 
diff --git a/reg_tests/chgres_cube/driver.jet.sh b/reg_tests/chgres_cube/driver.jet.sh
index 2d2c5f373..f2a29855b 100755
--- a/reg_tests/chgres_cube/driver.jet.sh
+++ b/reg_tests/chgres_cube/driver.jet.sh
@@ -2,7 +2,7 @@
 
 #-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
 #
-# Run the chgres_cube regression tests on JET.
+# Run the chgres_cube consistency tests on JET.
 #
 # Set OUTDIR to your working directory.  Set the PROJECT_CODE and QUEUE
 # as appropriate.  To see which projects you are authorized to use,
@@ -45,7 +45,7 @@ export HOMEufs=$PWD/../..
 
 export HOMEreg=/lfs4/HFIP/emcda/George.Gayno/reg_tests/chgres_cube
 
-LOG_FILE=regression.log
+LOG_FILE=consistency.log
 SUM_FILE=summary.log
 rm -f $LOG_FILE $SUM_FILE
 
diff --git a/reg_tests/chgres_cube/driver.orion.sh b/reg_tests/chgres_cube/driver.orion.sh
index 67d8e0d78..6bda8fb46 100755
--- a/reg_tests/chgres_cube/driver.orion.sh
+++ b/reg_tests/chgres_cube/driver.orion.sh
@@ -2,14 +2,14 @@
 
 #-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
 #
-# Run the chgres_cube regression tests on Orion.
+# Run the chgres_cube consistency tests on Orion.
 #
 # Set OUTDIR to your working directory.  Set the PROJECT_CODE and QUEUE
 # as appropriate.  To see which projects you are authorized to use,
 # type "saccount_params".
 #
 # Invoke the script with no arguments.  A series of daily-chained
-# regression tests will be submitted.  To check the queue, type:
+# consistency tests will be submitted.  To check the queue, type:
 # "squeue -u $LOGNAME".
 #
 # The run output will be stored in OUTDIR.  Log output from the suite
@@ -47,7 +47,7 @@ export HOMEufs=$PWD/../..
 
 export HOMEreg=/work/noaa/da/ggayno/save/ufs_utils.git/reg_tests/chgres_cube
 
-LOG_FILE=regression.log
+LOG_FILE=consistency.log
 SUM_FILE=summary.log
 rm -f $LOG_FILE $SUM_FILE
 
diff --git a/reg_tests/chgres_cube/driver.wcoss_cray.sh b/reg_tests/chgres_cube/driver.wcoss_cray.sh
index 2042c2d83..e5efc70a1 100755
--- a/reg_tests/chgres_cube/driver.wcoss_cray.sh
+++ b/reg_tests/chgres_cube/driver.wcoss_cray.sh
@@ -2,7 +2,7 @@
 
 #-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
 #
-# Run the chgres_cube regression tests on WCOSS-Cray.
+# Run the chgres_cube consistency tests on WCOSS-Cray.
 #
 # Set OUTDIR to your working directory.  Set the PROJECT_CODE and QUEUE as
 # appropriate. 
@@ -43,7 +43,7 @@ export HOMEufs=$PWD/../..
 
 export HOMEreg=/gpfs/hps3/emc/global/noscrub/George.Gayno/ufs_utils.git/reg_tests/chgres_cube
 
-LOG_FILE=regression.log
+LOG_FILE=consistency.log
 
 SUM_FILE=summary.log
 
diff --git a/reg_tests/chgres_cube/driver.wcoss_dell_p3.sh b/reg_tests/chgres_cube/driver.wcoss_dell_p3.sh
index 3449925bd..8a77c9ac2 100755
--- a/reg_tests/chgres_cube/driver.wcoss_dell_p3.sh
+++ b/reg_tests/chgres_cube/driver.wcoss_dell_p3.sh
@@ -2,7 +2,7 @@
 
 #-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
 #
-# Run the chgres_cube regression tests on WCOSS-Dell.
+# Run the chgres_cube consistency tests on WCOSS-Dell.
 #
 # Set OUTDIR to your working directory.  Set the PROJECT_CODE and QUEUE
 # as appropriate.
@@ -43,7 +43,7 @@ export HOMEufs=$PWD/../..
 
 export HOMEreg=/gpfs/dell2/emc/modeling/noscrub/George.Gayno/ufs_utils.git/reg_tests/chgres_cube
 
-LOG_FILE=regression.log
+LOG_FILE=consistency.log
 
 SUM_FILE=summary.log
 
diff --git a/reg_tests/global_cycle/driver.hera.sh b/reg_tests/global_cycle/driver.hera.sh
index 1828ad1b2..31b676b1e 100755
--- a/reg_tests/global_cycle/driver.hera.sh
+++ b/reg_tests/global_cycle/driver.hera.sh
@@ -2,14 +2,14 @@
 
 #-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
 #
-# Run global_cycle regression test on Hera.
+# Run global_cycle consistency test on Hera.
 #
 # Set $DATA to your working directory.  Set the project code (SBATCH -A)
 # and queue (SBATCH -q) as appropriate.
 #
 # Invoke the script as follows:  sbatch $script
 #
-# Log output is placed in regression.log.  A summary is
+# Log output is placed in consistency.log.  A summary is
 # placed in summary.log
 #
 # The test fails when its output does not match the baseline files
@@ -21,8 +21,8 @@
 #SBATCH -J cycle_reg_test
 #SBATCH -A fv3-cpu
 #SBATCH --open-mode=truncate
-#SBATCH -o regression.log
-#SBATCH -e regression.log
+#SBATCH -o consistency.log
+#SBATCH -e consistency.log
 #SBATCH --nodes=1 --ntasks-per-node=6
 #SBATCH -q debug
 #SBATCH -t 00:05:00
diff --git a/reg_tests/global_cycle/driver.jet.sh b/reg_tests/global_cycle/driver.jet.sh
index e55da2636..6d8147176 100755
--- a/reg_tests/global_cycle/driver.jet.sh
+++ b/reg_tests/global_cycle/driver.jet.sh
@@ -2,14 +2,14 @@
 
 #-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
 #
-# Run global_cycle regression test on Jet.
+# Run global_cycle consistency test on Jet.
 #
 # Set $DATA to your working directory.  Set the project code (SBATCH -A)
 # and queue (SBATCH -q) as appropriate.
 #
 # Invoke the script as follows:  sbatch $script
 #
-# Log output is placed in regression.log.  A summary is
+# Log output is placed in consistency.log.  A summary is
 # placed in summary.log
 #
 # The test fails when its output does not match the baseline files
@@ -21,8 +21,8 @@
 #SBATCH -J cycle_reg_test
 #SBATCH -A emcda
 #SBATCH --open-mode=truncate
-#SBATCH -o regression.log
-#SBATCH -e regression.log
+#SBATCH -o consistency.log
+#SBATCH -e consistency.log
 #SBATCH --nodes=1 --ntasks-per-node=6
 #SBATCH --partition=xjet
 #SBATCH -q windfall
diff --git a/reg_tests/global_cycle/driver.orion.sh b/reg_tests/global_cycle/driver.orion.sh
index b84abae19..33bdfa463 100755
--- a/reg_tests/global_cycle/driver.orion.sh
+++ b/reg_tests/global_cycle/driver.orion.sh
@@ -2,14 +2,14 @@
 
 #-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
 #
-# Run global_cycle regression test on Orion.
+# Run global_cycle consistency test on Orion.
 #
 # Set $DATA to your working directory.  Set the project code (SBATCH -A)
 # and queue (SBATCH -q) as appropriate.
 #
 # Invoke the script as follows:  sbatch $script
 #
-# Log output is placed in regression.log.  A summary is
+# Log output is placed in consistency.log.  A summary is
 # placed in summary.log
 #
 # The test fails when its output does not match the baseline files
@@ -21,8 +21,8 @@
 #SBATCH -J cycle_reg_test
 #SBATCH -A fv3-cpu
 #SBATCH --open-mode=truncate
-#SBATCH -o regression.log
-#SBATCH -e regression.log
+#SBATCH -o consistency.log
+#SBATCH -e consistency.log
 #SBATCH --nodes=1 --ntasks-per-node=6
 #SBATCH -q debug
 #SBATCH -t 00:05:00
diff --git a/reg_tests/grid_gen/driver.hera.sh b/reg_tests/grid_gen/driver.hera.sh
index 5810b40e2..d931f82f9 100755
--- a/reg_tests/grid_gen/driver.hera.sh
+++ b/reg_tests/grid_gen/driver.hera.sh
@@ -2,7 +2,7 @@
 
 #-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
 #
-# Run grid generation regression tests on Hera.
+# Run grid generation consistency tests on Hera.
 #
 # Set WORK_DIR to your working directory. Set the PROJECT_CODE and QUEUE
 # as appropriate.  To see which projects you are authorized to use,
@@ -39,7 +39,7 @@ PROJECT_CODE="${PROJECT_CODE:-fv3-cpu}"
 # Should not have to change anything below here.
 #-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
-LOG_FILE=regression.log
+LOG_FILE=consistency.log
 SUM_FILE=summary.log
 export home_dir=$PWD/../..
 export APRUN=time
diff --git a/reg_tests/grid_gen/driver.jet.sh b/reg_tests/grid_gen/driver.jet.sh
index afae062e5..14d92c3c7 100755
--- a/reg_tests/grid_gen/driver.jet.sh
+++ b/reg_tests/grid_gen/driver.jet.sh
@@ -2,7 +2,7 @@
 
 #-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
 #
-# Run grid generation regression tests on Jet.
+# Run grid generation consistency tests on Jet.
 #
 # Set WORK_DIR to your working directory. Set the PROJECT_CODE and QUEUE
 # as appropriate.  To see which projects you are authorized to use,
@@ -37,7 +37,7 @@ export WORK_DIR="${WORK_DIR}/reg-tests/grid-gen"
 # Should not have to change anything below here.
 #-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
-LOG_FILE=regression.log
+LOG_FILE=consistency.log
 SUM_FILE=summary.log
 export home_dir=$PWD/../..
 export APRUN=time
diff --git a/reg_tests/grid_gen/driver.orion.sh b/reg_tests/grid_gen/driver.orion.sh
index e93ec5ba9..86d37ceb4 100755
--- a/reg_tests/grid_gen/driver.orion.sh
+++ b/reg_tests/grid_gen/driver.orion.sh
@@ -2,7 +2,7 @@
 
 #-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
 #
-# Run grid generation regression tests on Orion.
+# Run grid generation consistency tests on Orion.
 #
 # Set WORK_DIR to your working directory. Set the PROJECT_CODE and QUEUE
 # as appropriate.  To see which projects you are authorized to use,
@@ -38,7 +38,7 @@ PROJECT_CODE=${PROJECT_CODE:-fv3-cpu}
 # Should not have to change anything below here.
 #-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
-LOG_FILE=regression.log
+LOG_FILE=consistency.log
 SUM_FILE=summary.log
 export home_dir=$PWD/../..
 export APRUN=time
diff --git a/reg_tests/grid_gen/driver.wcoss_cray.sh b/reg_tests/grid_gen/driver.wcoss_cray.sh
index 1aaf19f5d..23e4cb09e 100755
--- a/reg_tests/grid_gen/driver.wcoss_cray.sh
+++ b/reg_tests/grid_gen/driver.wcoss_cray.sh
@@ -2,7 +2,7 @@
 
 #-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
 #
-# Run grid generation regression tests on WCOSS-Cray.
+# Run grid generation consistency tests on WCOSS-Cray.
 #
 # Set WORK_DIR to your working directory. Set the PROJECT_CODE and QUEUE
 # as appropriate.
@@ -36,7 +36,7 @@ export WORK_DIR="${WORK_DIR}/reg-tests/grid-gen"
 #-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
 export home_dir=$PWD/../..
-LOG_FILE=regression.log
+LOG_FILE=consistency.log
 SUM_FILE=summary.log
 export APRUN="aprun -n 1 -N 1 -j 1 -d 1 -cc depth"
 export APRUN_SFC="aprun -j 1 -n 24 -N 24"
diff --git a/reg_tests/grid_gen/driver.wcoss_dell_p3.sh b/reg_tests/grid_gen/driver.wcoss_dell_p3.sh
index 8961c90c5..adc7aeaf7 100755
--- a/reg_tests/grid_gen/driver.wcoss_dell_p3.sh
+++ b/reg_tests/grid_gen/driver.wcoss_dell_p3.sh
@@ -2,7 +2,7 @@
 
 #-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
 #
-# Run grid generation regression tests on WCOSS-Dell.
+# Run grid generation consistency tests on WCOSS-Dell.
 #
 # Set WORK_DIR to your working directory. Set the PROJECT_CODE and QUEUE
 # as appropriate. 
@@ -35,7 +35,7 @@ export WORK_DIR="${WORK_DIR}/reg-tests/grid-gen"
 # Should not have to change anything below here.
 #-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
-LOG_FILE=regression.log
+LOG_FILE=consistency.log
 SUM_FILE=summary.log
 export home_dir=$PWD/../..
 export APRUN=time
diff --git a/reg_tests/ice_blend/driver.hera.sh b/reg_tests/ice_blend/driver.hera.sh
index 0fd03dc47..3b7d9c4da 100755
--- a/reg_tests/ice_blend/driver.hera.sh
+++ b/reg_tests/ice_blend/driver.hera.sh
@@ -2,14 +2,14 @@
 
 #-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
 #
-# Run ice_blend regression test on Hera.
+# Run ice_blend consistency test on Hera.
 #
 # Set $DATA to your working directory.  Set the project code (SBATCH -A)
 # and queue (SBATCH -q) as appropriate.
 #
 # Invoke the script as follows:  sbatch $script
 #
-# Log output is placed in regression.log.  A summary is
+# Log output is placed in consistency.log.  A summary is
 # placed in summary.log
 #
 # The test fails when its output does not match the baseline file
@@ -21,8 +21,8 @@
 #SBATCH -J ice_blend
 #SBATCH -A fv3-cpu
 #SBATCH --open-mode=truncate
-#SBATCH -o regression.log
-#SBATCH -e regression.log
+#SBATCH -o consistency.log
+#SBATCH -e consistency.log
 #SBATCH --ntasks=1
 #SBATCH -q debug
 #SBATCH -t 00:03:00
diff --git a/reg_tests/ice_blend/driver.jet.sh b/reg_tests/ice_blend/driver.jet.sh
index 446df2f14..f11191bfb 100755
--- a/reg_tests/ice_blend/driver.jet.sh
+++ b/reg_tests/ice_blend/driver.jet.sh
@@ -2,14 +2,14 @@
 
 #-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
 #
-# Run ice_blend regression test on Jet.
+# Run ice_blend consistency test on Jet.
 #
 # Set $DATA to your working directory.  Set the project code (SBATCH -A)
 # and queue (SBATCH -q) as appropriate.
 #
 # Invoke the script as follows:  sbatch $script
 #
-# Log output is placed in regression.log.  A summary is
+# Log output is placed in consistency.log.  A summary is
 # placed in summary.log
 #
 # The test fails when its output does not match the baseline file
@@ -23,8 +23,8 @@
 #SBATCH --time 0:01
 #SBATCH --account=emcda
 #SBATCH --job-name=ice_blnd
-#SBATCH -o regression.log
-#SBATCH -e regression.log
+#SBATCH -o consistency.log
+#SBATCH -e consistency.log
 
 set -x
 
diff --git a/reg_tests/ice_blend/driver.orion.sh b/reg_tests/ice_blend/driver.orion.sh
index ddb1459af..73d917ea2 100755
--- a/reg_tests/ice_blend/driver.orion.sh
+++ b/reg_tests/ice_blend/driver.orion.sh
@@ -2,14 +2,14 @@
 
 #-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
 #
-# Run ice_blend regression test on Orion.
+# Run ice_blend consistency test on Orion.
 #
 # Set $DATA to your working directory.  Set the project code (SBATCH -A)
 # and queue (SBATCH -q) as appropriate.
 #
 # Invoke the script as follows:  sbatch $script
 #
-# Log output is placed in regression.log.  A summary is
+# Log output is placed in consistency.log.  A summary is
 # placed in summary.log
 #
 # The test fails when its output does not match the baseline file
@@ -21,8 +21,8 @@
 #SBATCH -J ice_blend
 #SBATCH -A fv3-cpu
 #SBATCH --open-mode=truncate
-#SBATCH -o regression.log
-#SBATCH -e regression.log
+#SBATCH -o consistency.log
+#SBATCH -e consistency.log
 #SBATCH --ntasks=1
 #SBATCH -q debug
 #SBATCH -t 00:03:00
diff --git a/reg_tests/ice_blend/driver.wcoss_cray.sh b/reg_tests/ice_blend/driver.wcoss_cray.sh
index e5ff611e7..7556b9b55 100755
--- a/reg_tests/ice_blend/driver.wcoss_cray.sh
+++ b/reg_tests/ice_blend/driver.wcoss_cray.sh
@@ -2,14 +2,14 @@
 
 #-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
 #
-# Run ice_blend regression test on WCOSS-Cray.
+# Run ice_blend consistency test on WCOSS-Cray.
 #
 # Set $DATA to your working directory.  Set the project code (BSUB -P)
 # and queue (BSUB -q) as appropriate.
 #
 # Invoke the script as follows:  cat $script | bsub
 #
-# Log output is placed in regression.log.  A summary is
+# Log output is placed in consistency.log.  A summary is
 # placed in summary.log.
 #
 # The test fails when its output does not match the baseline file
@@ -19,8 +19,8 @@
 #-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
 #BSUB -W 0:02
-#BSUB -o regression.log
-#BSUB -e regression.log
+#BSUB -o consistency.log
+#BSUB -e consistency.log
 #BSUB -J iceb_regt
 #BSUB -q debug
 #BSUB -R "rusage[mem=2000]"
diff --git a/reg_tests/ice_blend/driver.wcoss_dell_p3.sh b/reg_tests/ice_blend/driver.wcoss_dell_p3.sh
index 90b3c3630..2d91a3417 100755
--- a/reg_tests/ice_blend/driver.wcoss_dell_p3.sh
+++ b/reg_tests/ice_blend/driver.wcoss_dell_p3.sh
@@ -2,14 +2,14 @@
 
 #-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
 #
-# Run ice_blend regression test on WCOSS-Dell.
+# Run ice_blend consistency test on WCOSS-Dell.
 #
 # Set $DATA to your working directory.  Set the project code (BSUB -P)
 # and queue (BSUB -q) as appropriate.
 #
 # Invoke the script as follows:  cat $script | bsub
 #
-# Log output is placed in regression.log.  A summary is
+# Log output is placed in consistency.log.  A summary is
 # placed in summary.log
 #
 # The test fails when its output does not match the baseline file
@@ -19,8 +19,8 @@
 #-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
 #BSUB -W 0:02
-#BSUB -o regression.log
-#BSUB -e regression.log
+#BSUB -o consistency.log
+#BSUB -e consistency.log
 #BSUB -J iceb_regt
 #BSUB -q debug
 #BSUB -R "affinity[core(1)]"
diff --git a/reg_tests/ice_blend/ice_blend.sh b/reg_tests/ice_blend/ice_blend.sh
index 94c9e846a..b1c193ca3 100755
--- a/reg_tests/ice_blend/ice_blend.sh
+++ b/reg_tests/ice_blend/ice_blend.sh
@@ -1,7 +1,7 @@
 #!/bin/bash
 
 #-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
-# Run ice_blend regression test.  This script called from it machine-specific
+# Run ice_blend consistency test.  This script called from it machine-specific
 # driver script.
 #-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
diff --git a/reg_tests/rt.sh b/reg_tests/rt.sh
index 342e96cec..2c3eadb43 100755
--- a/reg_tests/rt.sh
+++ b/reg_tests/rt.sh
@@ -4,7 +4,7 @@ ulimit -s unlimited
 
 export MAILTO=
 
-# Directory to download UFS_UTILS to and run the regression tests
+# Directory to download UFS_UTILS to and run the consistency tests
 export WORK_DIR=
 
 export PROJECT_CODE=
@@ -76,7 +76,7 @@ for dir in chgres_cube grid_gen; do
         sleep 10
         sleep_time=$((sleep_time+10))
         if (( sleep_time > TIMEOUT_LIMIT )); then
-             mail -s "UFS_UTILS Regression Tests timed out on ${target}" ${MAILTO} < ${WORK_DIR}/reg_test_results.txt
+             mail -s "UFS_UTILS Consistency Tests timed out on ${target}" ${MAILTO} < ${WORK_DIR}/reg_test_results.txt
             exit 1
         fi
     done
@@ -104,7 +104,7 @@ for dir in snow2mdl global_cycle ice_blend; do
         sleep 10
         sleep_time=$((sleep_time+10))
         if (( sleep_time > TIMEOUT_LIMIT )); then
-            mail -s "UFS_UTILS Regression Tests timed out on ${target}" ${MAILTO} < ${WORK_DIR}/reg_test_results.txt
+            mail -s "UFS_UTILS Consistency Tests timed out on ${target}" ${MAILTO} < ${WORK_DIR}/reg_test_results.txt
             exit 1
         fi
     done
@@ -119,16 +119,16 @@ for dir in chgres_cube grid_gen global_cycle ice_blend snow2mdl; do
     success=true
     if grep -qi "FAILED" ${dir}/summary.log; then
         success=false
-        echo "${dir} regression tests FAILED" >> ${WORK_DIR}/reg_test_results.txt
+        echo "${dir} consistency tests FAILED" >> ${WORK_DIR}/reg_test_results.txt
     else
-        echo "${dir} regression tests PASSED" >> ${WORK_DIR}/reg_test_results.txt
+        echo "${dir} consistency tests PASSED" >> ${WORK_DIR}/reg_test_results.txt
     fi
 done
 
 if [[ "$success" == true ]]; then
-    mail -s "UFS_UTILS Regression Tests PASSED on ${target}" ${MAILTO} < ${WORK_DIR}/reg_test_results.txt
+    mail -s "UFS_UTILS Consistency Tests PASSED on ${target}" ${MAILTO} < ${WORK_DIR}/reg_test_results.txt
 else
-    mail -s "UFS_UTILS Regression Tests FAILED on ${target}" ${MAILTO} < ${WORK_DIR}/reg_test_results.txt
+    mail -s "UFS_UTILS Consistency Tests FAILED on ${target}" ${MAILTO} < ${WORK_DIR}/reg_test_results.txt
 fi
 
 # Save current hash as previous hash for next time
diff --git a/reg_tests/snow2mdl/driver.hera.sh b/reg_tests/snow2mdl/driver.hera.sh
index f2710a0b8..9885f0ac9 100755
--- a/reg_tests/snow2mdl/driver.hera.sh
+++ b/reg_tests/snow2mdl/driver.hera.sh
@@ -2,14 +2,14 @@
 
 #-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
 #
-# Run snow2mdl regression test on Hera.
+# Run snow2mdl consistency test on Hera.
 #
 # Set $DATA to your working directory.  Set the project code (SBATCH -A)
 # and queue (SBATCH -q) as appropriate.
 #
 # Invoke the script as follows:  sbatch $script
 #
-# Log output is placed in regression.log.  A summary is
+# Log output is placed in consistency.log.  A summary is
 # placed in summary.log
 #
 # The test fails when its output does not match the baseline file
@@ -21,8 +21,8 @@
 #SBATCH -J snow
 #SBATCH -A fv3-cpu
 #SBATCH --open-mode=truncate
-#SBATCH -o regression.log
-#SBATCH -e regression.log
+#SBATCH -o consistency.log
+#SBATCH -e consistency.log
 #SBATCH --ntasks=1
 #SBATCH -q debug
 #SBATCH -t 00:03:00
diff --git a/reg_tests/snow2mdl/driver.jet.sh b/reg_tests/snow2mdl/driver.jet.sh
index 22b867b52..2b8345b97 100755
--- a/reg_tests/snow2mdl/driver.jet.sh
+++ b/reg_tests/snow2mdl/driver.jet.sh
@@ -2,14 +2,14 @@
 
 #-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
 #
-# Run snow2mdl regression test on Jet.
+# Run snow2mdl consistency test on Jet.
 #
 # Set $DATA to your working directory.  Set the project code (SBATCH -A)
 # and queue (SBATCH -q) as appropriate.
 #
 # Invoke the script as follows:  sbatch $script
 #
-# Log output is placed in regression.log.  A summary is
+# Log output is placed in consistency.log.  A summary is
 # placed in summary.log
 #
 # The test fails when its output does not match the baseline file
@@ -23,8 +23,8 @@
 #SBATCH --time 0:01
 #SBATCH --account=emcda
 #SBATCH --job-name=snow2mdl
-#SBATCH -o regression.log
-#SBATCH -e regression.log
+#SBATCH -o consistency.log
+#SBATCH -e consistency.log
 
 set -x
 
diff --git a/reg_tests/snow2mdl/driver.orion.sh b/reg_tests/snow2mdl/driver.orion.sh
index 993d479cf..e4c707eaa 100755
--- a/reg_tests/snow2mdl/driver.orion.sh
+++ b/reg_tests/snow2mdl/driver.orion.sh
@@ -2,14 +2,14 @@
 
 #-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
 #
-# Run snow2mdl regression test on Orion.
+# Run snow2mdl consistency test on Orion.
 #
 # Set $DATA to your working directory.  Set the project code (SBATCH -A)
 # and queue (SBATCH -q) as appropriate.
 #
 # Invoke the script as follows:  sbatch $script
 #
-# Log output is placed in regression.log.  A summary is
+# Log output is placed in consistency.log.  A summary is
 # placed in summary.log
 #
 # The test fails when its output does not match the baseline file
@@ -21,8 +21,8 @@
 #SBATCH -J snow
 #SBATCH -A fv3-cpu
 #SBATCH --open-mode=truncate
-#SBATCH -o regression.log
-#SBATCH -e regression.log
+#SBATCH -o consistency.log
+#SBATCH -e consistency.log
 #SBATCH --ntasks=1
 #SBATCH -q debug
 #SBATCH -t 00:03:00
diff --git a/reg_tests/snow2mdl/driver.wcoss_cray.sh b/reg_tests/snow2mdl/driver.wcoss_cray.sh
index e62cc6816..197ecb161 100755
--- a/reg_tests/snow2mdl/driver.wcoss_cray.sh
+++ b/reg_tests/snow2mdl/driver.wcoss_cray.sh
@@ -2,14 +2,14 @@
 
 #-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
 #
-# Run snow2mdl regression test on WCOSS-Cray.
+# Run snow2mdl consistency test on WCOSS-Cray.
 #
 # Set $DATA to your working directory.  Set the project code (BSUB -P)
 # and queue (BSUB -q) as appropriate.
 #
 # Invoke the script as follows:  cat $script | bsub
 #
-# Log output is placed in regression.log.  A summary is
+# Log output is placed in consistency.log.  A summary is
 # placed in summary.log
 #
 # The test fails when its output does not match the baseline file
@@ -19,8 +19,8 @@
 #-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
 #BSUB -W 0:02
-#BSUB -o regression.log
-#BSUB -e regression.log
+#BSUB -o consistency.log
+#BSUB -e consistency.log
 #BSUB -J s2m_regt
 #BSUB -q debug
 #BSUB -R "rusage[mem=2000]"
diff --git a/reg_tests/snow2mdl/driver.wcoss_dell_p3.sh b/reg_tests/snow2mdl/driver.wcoss_dell_p3.sh
index 1e9f396a7..0f315d391 100755
--- a/reg_tests/snow2mdl/driver.wcoss_dell_p3.sh
+++ b/reg_tests/snow2mdl/driver.wcoss_dell_p3.sh
@@ -2,14 +2,14 @@
 
 #-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
 #
-# Run snow2mdl regression test on WCOSS-Dell.
+# Run snow2mdl consistency test on WCOSS-Dell.
 #
 # Set $DATA to your working directory.  Set the project code (BSUB -P)
 # and queue (BSUB -q) as appropriate.
 #
 # Invoke the script as follows:  cat $script | bsub
 #
-# Log output is placed in regression.log.  A summary is
+# Log output is placed in consistency.log.  A summary is
 # placed in summary.log
 #
 # The test fails when its output does not match the baseline file
@@ -19,8 +19,8 @@
 #-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
 #BSUB -W 0:02
-#BSUB -o regression.log
-#BSUB -e regression.log
+#BSUB -o consistency.log
+#BSUB -e consistency.log
 #BSUB -J s2m_regt
 #BSUB -q debug
 #BSUB -R "affinity[core(1)]"
diff --git a/sorc/grid_tools.fd/filter_topo.fd/filter_topo.F90 b/sorc/grid_tools.fd/filter_topo.fd/filter_topo.F90
index 5bf81b92f..a56d4acb6 100644
--- a/sorc/grid_tools.fd/filter_topo.fd/filter_topo.F90
+++ b/sorc/grid_tools.fd/filter_topo.fd/filter_topo.F90
@@ -5,7 +5,8 @@
 !> This program does ???
 !!
 !! @return 0 for success, error code otherwise.
-!! @author GFDL Programmer
+!! @author S-J Lin (GFDL) for filtering algorithm(s)
+!! @author Zhi Liang (GFDL) who packaged it into a standalone application.
 program filter_topo
 
 
diff --git a/sorc/grid_tools.fd/regional_esg_grid.fd/pietc.f90 b/sorc/grid_tools.fd/regional_esg_grid.fd/pietc.f90
index 0bd6c7130..0dceea898 100644
--- a/sorc/grid_tools.fd/regional_esg_grid.fd/pietc.f90
+++ b/sorc/grid_tools.fd/regional_esg_grid.fd/pietc.f90
@@ -53,7 +53,7 @@ module pietc
 real(dp),parameter:: euler=0.57721566490153286060651209008240243104215933593992359880e0_dp !< Euler-Mascheroni constant.
 real(dp),parameter:: dtor=pi/180 !< Degrees to radians
 real(dp),parameter:: rtod=180/pi !< radians to degrees
-! Sines of all main fractions of 90 degrees (down to ninths): !< ???
+! Sines of all main fractions of 90 degrees (down to ninths): 
 real(dp),parameter:: s10=.173648177666930348851716626769314796000375677184069387236241e0_dp !< sine(10 deg)
 real(dp),parameter:: s11=.195090322016128267848284868477022240927691617751954807754502e0_dp !< sine(90/8 deg)
 real(dp),parameter:: s13=.222520933956314404288902564496794759466355568764544955311987e0_dp !< sine(90/7 deg)
diff --git a/sorc/grid_tools.fd/regional_esg_grid.fd/psym2.f90 b/sorc/grid_tools.fd/regional_esg_grid.fd/psym2.f90
index f8ed4293a..e57c4163c 100644
--- a/sorc/grid_tools.fd/regional_esg_grid.fd/psym2.f90
+++ b/sorc/grid_tools.fd/regional_esg_grid.fd/psym2.f90
@@ -26,7 +26,7 @@ module psym2
 interface expsym2;     module procedure expsym2,expsym2d;     end interface
 interface expsym2d_e;  module procedure expsym2d_e;           end interface
 interface expsym2d_t;  module procedure expsym2d_t;           end interface
-interface logsym2;     module procedure logsym2,logsym2d;  end interface
+interface logsym2;     module procedure logsym2,logsym2d;     end interface
 interface id2222;      module procedure id2222;               end interface
 interface chol2;       module procedure chol2;                end interface
 
@@ -284,11 +284,11 @@ subroutine expsym2(em,expem)!                                        [expsym2]
 expem=matmul(vv,matmul(oo,transpose(vv)))
 end subroutine expsym2
 
-!> Sub Process for process symmetric 2*2 matrix.
+!> Get the exp of a symmetric 2*2 matrix, and its symmetric derivative.
 !!
 !! @param[in] x symmetric 2*2 positive-definite matrix
-!! @param[out] z ???
-!! @param[out] zd symmetric derivative
+!! @param[out] z exp of symmetric 2*2 matrix x
+!! @param[out] zd symmetric derivative wrt x of exp of x
 !! @author R. J. Purser
 subroutine expsym2d(x,z,zd)!                                         [expsym2]
 implicit none
@@ -306,11 +306,12 @@ subroutine expsym2d(x,z,zd)!                                         [expsym2]
 z=z*exp(trxh)
 end subroutine expsym2d
 
-!> Sub Process for process symmetric 2*2 matrix.
+!> Get the exponential and its symmetric derivative for a symmetric 2*2 matrix
+!! using eigen-decomposition.
 !!
 !! @param[in] x symmetric 2*2 positive-definite matrix
-!! @param[out] z ???
-!! @param[out] zd symmetric derivative
+!! @param[out] z exp of symmetrix matrix x
+!! @param[out] zd symmetric derivative of z wrt x
 !! @author R. J. Purser
 subroutine expsym2d_e(x,z,zd)!                                    [expsym2d_e]
 implicit none
@@ -429,9 +430,10 @@ subroutine logsym2d(x,z,zd)!                                         [logsym2]
 zd(:,:,2,1)=zd(:,:,1,2)
 end subroutine logsym2d
 
-!> General routine for Effective identity.
+!> General routine for a symmetrized 4th-rank tensor that acts as
+!! an effective identity for operations on symmetric matrices.
 !!
-!! @param[out] em ???
+!! @param[out] em symmetrized effective identity in space of symmetrix matrices.
 !! @author R. J. Purser
 subroutine id2222(em)!                                                [id2222]
 implicit none