scholarly journals Ocean mixed layer processes in the Pacific Decadal Oscillation in coupled general circulation models

2012 ◽  
Vol 41 (5-6) ◽  
pp. 1407-1417 ◽  
Author(s):  
Bo Young Yim ◽  
Yign Noh ◽  
Sang-Wook Yeh ◽  
Jong-Seong Kug ◽  
Hong Sik Min ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Mixed Layer ◽  
Pacific Decadal Oscillation ◽  
General Circulation ◽  
General Circulation Models ◽  
Ocean Mixed Layer ◽  
The Pacific ◽  
Coupled General Circulation Models

Why is the AMOC Monostable in Coupled General Circulation Models?

2014 ◽  
Vol 27 (6) ◽  
pp. 2427-2443 ◽  
Author(s):  
Wei Liu ◽  
Zhengyu Liu ◽  
Esther C. Brady
Keyword(s):  
General Circulation ◽  
General Circulation Models ◽  
Meridional Overturning Circulation ◽  
Surface Salinity ◽  
Sensitivity Experiment ◽  
Climate System Model ◽  
Control Simulation ◽  
Coupled General Circulation Models ◽  
The Stability ◽  
Flux Adjustment

Abstract This paper is concerned with the question: why do coupled general circulation models (CGCM) seem to be biased toward a monostable Atlantic meridional overturning circulation (AMOC)? In particular, the authors investigate whether the monostable behavior of the CGCMs is caused by a bias of model surface climatology. First observational literature is reviewed, and it is suggested that the AMOC is likely to be bistable in the real world in the past and present. Then the stability of the AMOC in the NCAR Community Climate System Model, version 3 (CCSM3) is studied by comparing the present-day control simulation (without flux adjustment) with a sensitivity experiment with flux adjustment. It is found that the monostable AMOC in the control simulation is altered to a bistable AMOC in the flux-adjustment experiment because a reduction of the surface salinity biases in the tropical and northern North Atlantic leads to a reduction of the bias of freshwater transport in the Atlantic. In particular, the tropical bias associated with the double ITCZ reduces salinity in the upper South Atlantic Ocean and, in turn, the AMOC freshwater export, which tends to overstabilize the AMOC and therefore biases the AMOC from bistable toward monostable state. This conclusion is consistent with a further analysis of the stability indicator of two groups of IPCC Fourth Assessment Report (AR4) CGCMs: one without and the other with flux adjustment. Because the tropical bias is a common feature among all CGCMs without flux adjustment, the authors propose that the surface climate bias, notably the tropical bias in the Atlantic, may contribute significantly to the monostability of AMOC behavior in current CGCMs.

scholarly journals Precipitation in the Amazon and its relationship with moisture transport and tropical Pacific and Atlantic SST from the CMIP5 simulation

2015 ◽  
Vol 12 (1) ◽  
pp. 671-704 ◽  
Author(s):  
G. Martins ◽  
C. von Randow ◽  
G. Sampaio ◽  
A. J. Dolman
Keyword(s):  
Moisture Transport ◽  
General Circulation ◽  
Regional Analysis ◽  
Coupled Model ◽  
General Circulation Models ◽  
Moisture Convergence ◽  
Cmip5 Models ◽  
Wet Season ◽  
The Pacific ◽  
Eastern Edge

Abstract. Studies on numerical modeling in Amazonia show that the models fail to capture important aspects of climate variability in this region and it is important to understand the reasons that cause this drawback. Here, we study how the general circulation models of the Coupled Model Intercomparison Project Phase 5 (CMIP5) simulate the inter-relations between regional precipitation, moisture convergence and Sea Surface Temperature (SST) in the adjacent oceans, to assess how flaws in the representation of these processes can translate into biases in simulated rainfall in Amazonia. Using observational data (GPCP, CMAP, ERSST.v3, ERAI and evapotranspiration) and 21 numerical simulations from CMIP5 during the present climate (1979–2005) in June, July and August (JJA) and December, January and February (DJF), respectively, to represent dry and wet season characteristics, we evaluate how the models simulate precipitation, moisture transport and convergence, and pressure velocity (omega) in different regions of Amazonia. Thus, it is possible to identify areas of Amazonia that are more or less influenced by adjacent ocean SSTs. Our results showed that most of the CMIP5 models have poor skill in adequately representing the observed data. The regional analysis of the variables used showed that the underestimation in the dry season (JJA) was twice in relation to rainy season as quantified by the Standard Error of the Mean (SEM). It was found that Atlantic and Pacific SSTs modulate the northern sector of Amazonia during JJA, while in DJF Pacific SST only influences the eastern sector of the region. The analysis of moisture transport in JJA showed that moisture preferentially enters Amazonia via its eastern edge. In DJF this occurs both via its northern and eastern edge. The moisture balance is always positive, which indicates that Amazonia is a source of moisture to the atmosphere. Additionally, our results showed that during DJF the simulations in northeast sector of Amazonia have a strong bias in precipitation and an underestimation of moisture convergence due to the higher influence of biases in the Pacific SST. During JJA, a strong precipitation bias was observed in the southwest sector associated, also with a negative bias of moisture convergence, but with weaker influence of SSTs of adjacent oceans. The poor representation of precipitation-producing systems in Amazonia by the models and the difficulty of adequately representing the variability of SSTs in the Pacific and Atlantic oceans may be responsible for these underestimates in Amazonia.

A Series of Zonal Jets Embedded in the Broad Zonal Flows in the Pacific Obtained in Eddy-Permitting Ocean General Circulation Models

2005 ◽  
Vol 35 (4) ◽  
pp. 474-488 ◽  
Author(s):  
Hideyuki Nakano ◽  
Hiroyasu Hasumi
Keyword(s):  
General Circulation ◽  
Bottom Topography ◽  
Zonal Flow ◽  
General Circulation Models ◽  
Wind Forcing ◽  
Zonal Flows ◽  
Zonal Jets ◽  
The Pacific ◽  
Ocean General Circulation Models ◽  
Ocean General Circulation

Abstract A series of zonal currents in the Pacific Ocean is investigated using eddy-permitting ocean general circulation models. The zonal currents in the subsurface are classified into two parts: one is a series of broad zonal flows that has the meridional pattern slanting poleward with increasing depth and the other is finescale zonal jets with the meridional scale of 3°–5° formed in each broad zonal flow. The basic pattern for the broad zonal flows is similar between the coarse-resolution model and the eddy-permitting model and is thought to be the response to the wind forcing. A part of the zonal jets embedded in each zonal flow is explained by the anomalous local wind forcing. Most of them, however, seem to be mainly created by the rectification of turbulent processes on a β plane (the Rhines effect), and zonal jets in this study have common features with the zonally elongated flows obtained in previous modeling studies conducted in idealized basins. The position of zonal jets is not stable when the ocean floor is flat, whereas it oscillates only within a few degrees under realistic bottom topography.

The Double-ITCZ Syndrome in Coupled General Circulation Models: The Role of Large-Scale Vertical Circulation Regimes

2010 ◽  
Vol 23 (5) ◽  
pp. 1127-1145 ◽  
Author(s):  
A. Bellucci ◽  
S. Gualdi ◽  
A. Navarra
Keyword(s):  
Surface Temperature ◽  
Systematic Error ◽  
General Circulation ◽  
Large Scale ◽  
Deep Convection ◽  
General Circulation Models ◽  
Intertropical Convergence Zone ◽  
Convergence Zone ◽  
Vertical Circulation ◽  
Coupled General Circulation Models

Abstract The double–intertropical convergence zone (DI) systematic error, affecting state-of-the-art coupled general circulation models (CGCMs), is examined in the multimodel Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) Fourth Assessment Report (AR4) ensemble of simulations of the twentieth-century climate. The aim of this study is to quantify the DI error on precipitation in the tropical Pacific, with a specific focus on the relationship between the DI error and the representation of large-scale vertical circulation regimes in climate models. The DI rainfall signal is analyzed using a regime-sorting approach for the vertical circulation regimes. Through the use of this compositing technique, precipitation events are regime sorted based on the large-scale vertical motions, as represented by the midtropospheric Lagrangian pressure tendency ω500 dynamical proxy. This methodology allows partition of the precipitation signal into deep and shallow convective components. Following the regime-sorting diagnosis, the total DI bias is split into an error affecting the magnitude of precipitation associated with individual convective events and an error affecting the frequency of occurrence of single convective regimes. It is shown that, despite the existing large intramodel differences, CGCMs can be ultimately grouped into a few homogenous clusters, each featuring a well-defined rainfall–vertical circulation relationship in the DI region. Three major behavioral clusters are identified within the AR4 models ensemble: two unimodal distributions, featuring maximum precipitation under subsidence and deep convection regimes, respectively, and one bimodal distribution, displaying both components. Extending this analysis to both coupled and uncoupled (atmosphere only) AR4 simulations reveals that the DI bias in CGCMs is mainly due to the overly frequent occurrence of deep convection regimes, whereas the error on rainfall magnitude associated with individual convective events is overall consistent with errors already present in the corresponding atmosphere stand-alone simulations. A critical parameter controlling the strength of the DI systematic error is identified in the model-dependent sea surface temperature (SST) threshold leading to the onset of deep convection (THR), combined with the average SST in the southeastern Pacific. The models featuring a THR that is systematically colder (warmer) than their mean surface temperature are more (less) prone to exhibit a spurious southern intertropical convergence zone.

Investigating quasi-resonant Rossby waves with an idealized general circulation model

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Todd Mooring ◽  
Marianna Linz
Keyword(s):  
General Circulation Model ◽  
General Circulation ◽  
Rossby Waves ◽  
Circulation Model ◽  
General Circulation Models ◽  
Weather Extremes ◽  
Dynamical Mechanism ◽  
Atmospheric Physics ◽  
Coupled General Circulation Models ◽  
Mean State

<p>Petoukhov et al.’s (2013, PNAS) hypothesis of quasi-resonant Rossby waves as a mechanism for destructive weather extremes—both heat- and rain-related, observed and projected—has received a great deal of attention in recent years.  Most notably, it has been used for diagnostic studies of reanalysis products and full-physics atmospheric or coupled general circulation models. However, studies of this sort essentially assume (rather than test) the validity of the underlying theory.</p><p>Since the quasi-resonance theoretical arguments do not explicitly involve the full complexity of atmospheric physics, it ought to be possible to test them within the much simpler framework of an idealized general circulation model. By carefully constructing the forcing fields for such a model, we will achieve control of its zonal mean state and thus the waveguide properties of the zonal jet. We will explore the properties of the quasi-stationary Rossby waves in such simulations to test whether they have the properties predicted by Petoukhov et al. By testing this dynamical mechanism in a simplified model, we can better understand its applicability and limitations for investigations of future climate.</p>

Brine-Driven Eddies under Sea Ice Leads and Their Impact on the Arctic Ocean Mixed Layer

2008 ◽  
Vol 38 (1) ◽  
pp. 146-163 ◽  
Author(s):  
Yoshimasa Matsumura ◽  
Hiroyasu Hasumi
Keyword(s):  
Sea Ice ◽  
Arctic Ocean ◽  
Mixed Layer ◽  
General Circulation ◽  
Salt Transport ◽  
Salt Flux ◽  
The Arctic ◽  
Theoretical Argument ◽  
Ocean Mixed Layer ◽  
The Arctic Ocean

Abstract Eddy generation induced by a line-shaped salt flux under a sea ice lead and associated salt transport are investigated using a three-dimensional numerical model. The model is designed to represent a typical condition for the wintertime Arctic Ocean mixed layer, where new ice formation within leads is known to be one of the primary sources of dense water. The result shows that along-lead baroclinic jets generate anticyclonic eddies at the base of the mixed layer, and almost all the lead-originated salt is contained inside these eddies. These eddies survive for over a month after closing of the lead and transport the lead-originated salt laterally. Consequently, the lead-origin salt settles only on the top of the halocline and is not used for increasing salinity of the mixed layer. Sensitivity experiments suggest that the horizontal scale of generated eddies depends only on the surface forcing and is proportional to the cube root of the total amount of salt input. This scaling of eddy size is consistent with a theoretical argument based on a linear instability theory. Parameterizing these processes would improve representation of the Arctic Ocean mixed layer in ocean general circulation models.

Diapycnal and Isopycnal Transports in the Southern Ocean Estimated by a Box Inverse Model

2013 ◽  
Vol 43 (11) ◽  
pp. 2270-2287 ◽  
Author(s):  
K. Katsumata ◽  
B. M. Sloyan ◽  
S. Masuda
Keyword(s):  
Southern Ocean ◽  
Mixed Layer ◽  
Deep Water ◽  
General Circulation ◽  
General Circulation Models ◽  
Inverse Model ◽  
Ekman Transport ◽  
Surface Mixed Layer ◽  
Circumpolar Deep Water ◽  
Eddy Transport

Abstract Quantitative descriptions of Circumpolar Deep Water upwelling and evolution into a lighter mode and heavier bottom waters in the Southern Ocean are still not well constrained. Here, data from two occupations of eight hydrographic sections are combined and used in a box inverse model to estimate isopycnal and diapycnal transports in the Southern Ocean. A mixed layer box allows diapycnal transports in the surface mixed layer to be estimated separately. Current velocity at 1000 dbar was constrained by the mean velocity field estimated from subsurface float drift data. The estimated isopycnal transports are largely consistent with past estimates and with outputs of three ocean general circulation models. The estimated subduction and upwelling at the base of the Southern Ocean mixed layer show that Upper Circumpolar Deep Water upwells [16 ± 15 and 17 ± 21 Sv (where 1 Sv ≡ 106 m3 s−1) by different inversion methods] and evolves into heavier Lower Circumpolar Deep Water (5 ± 13 and 6 ± 18 Sv) and Bottom Water (8 ± 9 and 8 ± 13 Sv) or lighter Mode and Intermediate Waters (9 ± 18 and 13 ± 24 Sv). Meridional transport in the surface mixed layer is due to northward Ekman transport and mostly southward eddy transport. In seasonal ice-covered areas near Antarctica, a significant (14 ± 14 Sv) southward transport was found. The southward eddy transport is largest north of the Antarctic Circumpolar Current and decreases poleward because of the poleward decrease in the eddy diffusivity. The interior diapycnal transports, which can be either upward (gaining buoyancy) or downward (gaining density), are comparable in magnitude to the horizontal diapycnal transports within the surface mixed layer.

Global Coupled General Circulation Models

1995 ◽  
Vol 76 (6) ◽  
pp. 951-957 ◽  
Author(s):  
Gerald A. Meehl
Keyword(s):  
General Circulation ◽  
Research Programme ◽  
General Circulation Models ◽  
Coupled Modeling ◽  
Coupled Modelling ◽  
Climate Research ◽  
The World ◽  
The Status ◽  
Coupled General Circulation Models ◽  
La Jolla

Major conclusions and recommendations regarding the status of global coupled general circulation models are presented here from a workshop convened by the World Climate Research Programme Steering Group on Global Coupled Modelling that was held from 10 to 12 October 1994 at the Scripps Institution of Oceanography, La Jolla, California. The purpose of the workshop was to assess the current state of the art of global coupled modeling on the decadal and longer timescales in terms of methodology and results to identify the major issues and problems facing this activity and to discuss possible alternatives for making progress in light of these problems. This workshop brought together representatives from nearly every group in the world actively involved in formulating and running such models. After presentations by workshop participants, four working groups identified key issues involving 1) initialization and model spinup, 2) strategies and techniques for coupling of model components, 3) flux correction/adjustment, and 4) secular drift and systematic errors. The participants concluded that improved communication between those engaged in this activity will be important to enhance further progress. Consequently, the World Climate Research Programme intends to continue the support of internationally coordinated activities in global coupled modeling.

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