diff --git a/README b/README
index 0de7142d41..09debb7a68 100644
--- a/README
+++ b/README
@@ -1,4 +1,4 @@
-WRF Model Version 4.4.2
+WRF Model Version 4.5
 
 https://www2.mmm.ucar.edu/wrf/users/
 
diff --git a/inc/version_decl b/inc/version_decl
index 1037a64503..1c7a81726f 100644
--- a/inc/version_decl
+++ b/inc/version_decl
@@ -1 +1 @@
-   CHARACTER (LEN=*), PARAMETER :: release_version = 'V4.4.2'
+   CHARACTER (LEN=*), PARAMETER :: release_version = 'V4.5'