02/01/2010
Improving Deep Cloud Formation in a Global Climate Model
Summary
DOE scientists have improved a global climate model and its predictions by improving understanding of three critical aspects of tropical clouds and their interaction with the environment: atmospheric perturbation, thunderstorm formation, and thunderstorms impacts on the environment. Many global climate models poorly predict tropical weather and climate patterns and uncertainties. Representation of tropical cloud processes are responsible for many deficiencies in almost all climate models’ projections. By using improved cloud formulations, tropical cloud features such as the spatial distribution of thunderstorm clouds, and eastward movement of storm clouds clusters are better simulated and are closer to observations. These improved simulations enhance the credibility of climate predictions and climate change projections.
References
Deng, L., and X. Wu, 2009: Effects of Convective Processes on GCM Simulations of the Madden-Julian Oscillation. Journal of Climate, 23, DOI: 10.1175/2009JCLI3114.1, 352-377.