PCMDI > WCRP CMIP3 Model Output > Diagnostic Subprojects

PI:	Jian Lu
Institution:	GFDL/NOAA
Abstract:
Robust response of the hydrological cycle to global warming has been identified from the preliminary analysis of the IPCC model dataset. And the trend towards intensified hydrological cycle (i.e., P-E) and decreased overturning convective mass fluxes can be understood based on simple Clausius-Clapeyron relationship. Preliminary results from analyzing the GFDL coupled model simulation have suggested that the Hadley cell has a widening trend under the forcing of increasing greenhouse gases. And the expansion of the Hadley cell tends to suppress the rainfall near the poleward fringe of subtropical subsidence. We plan to look into the issue and its robustness from the IPCC archive dataset.
Publications:
Lu, J., G. A. Vecchi, T. Reichler, 2007: Expansion of the Hadley cell under global warming. Geophys. Res. Lett., 34, 10.1029/2006GL028443. Abstract. Full Article. Edit. Lu, J., G. Chen, D. Frierson, 2008: Response of the zonal mean atmospheric circulation to El Nino versus global warming. J. Climate. In press. Abstract. Full Article. Edit. Add Publication