02/23/2009

Improved Model for Radiative Transfer Formulations in Climate Models

Summary

Scientists in DOE’s Atmospheric Radiation Measurement (ARM) program have developed an improved model (RRTMG) for global solar and thermal atmospheric radiative transfer based on measurements taken in the ARM program. These scientists have demonstrated that the new model generally provides relatively greater accuracy in calculating greenhouse gas radiative forcing and atmospheric radiative heating compared to the other global climate models considered. Accurately representing the atmospheric radiative processes associated with increasing greenhouse gases is essential for global climate simulations to provide precise assessments of climate change.

References

Lacono, M. J., J. S. Delamere, E. J. Mlawer, M. W. Shephard, S. A. Clough, and W. D. Collins (2008), Radiative forcing by long-lived greenhouse gases: Calculations with the AER radiative transfer models, J. Geophys. Res., 113 , D13103, doi:10.1029/2008JD009944.