PCMDI > WCRP CMIP3 Model Output > Diagnostic Subprojects

PI:	Markus Stowasser
Institution:	University of Hawaii
Abstract:
Preliminary results of analysis of global warming experiments in the NCAR CCSM2.0.1, CSM1.4 and CCCma CGCM3 climate models show distinctly different patterns in the surface temperature response in the tropical Pacific. CCSM2.0.1, CSM1.4 and CGCM3 exhibit the strongest warming in western, middle and eastern part of the Pacific, respectively. The proposed project will use the IPCC data to characterize the range of responses of the cloud radiative forcing (CRF) and sea surface temperature (SST) in the tropical Pacific region in the full range of models. In particular, the connection between the warming patterns in climate perturbation experiments and the intrinsic model variability will be investigated. The relationship between the area-averaged interannual variations of the longwave (LW) and shortwave (SW) CRF and SSTs will be analyzed. The relationships found in the IPCC control runs and AMIP runs will be compared to ISCCP cloud data. The required model data are monthly means of: - Shortwave and longwave TOA fluxes - Shortwave and longwave clear-sky TOA fluxes - Surface air temperature - Surface temperature
Publications:
Stowasser, M., and K. Hamilton, 2006: Relationships between cloud radiative forcing and local meteorological variables compared in observations and several global climate models. J. Climate, 19, 4344–4359, DOI: 10.1175/JCLI3875.1. Abstract. Edit. Add Publication