scholarly journals Effect Of Eurasian Snow Cover On Summer Climate Of The Northern Hemisphere: A GCM Study

1990 ◽  
Vol 14 ◽  
pp. 364 ◽  
Author(s):  
Tetsuzo Yasunari ◽  
Akio Kitoh ◽  
Tatsushi Tokioka
Keyword(s):  
Snow Cover ◽  
Land Surface ◽  
General Circulation ◽  
Large Scale ◽  
General Circulation Models ◽  
Late Winter ◽  
Hydrological Process ◽  
Eurasian Snow Cover ◽  
Eurasian Snow ◽  
Snow Cover Extent

Observational studies have shown that Eurasian snow-cover anomalies during winter-through-spring seasons have a great effect on anomalies in atmospheric circulation and climate in the following summer season through snow albedo feedback (Hahn and Shukla, 1976; Dey and Bhanu Kumar, 1987). Morinaga and Yasunari (1987) have revealed that large-scale snow-cover extent over central Asia in late winter, which particularly has a great effect on the circulation over Eurasia in the following season, is closely related to the Eurasian pattern circulation (Wallace and Gutzler, 1981) in the beginning of winter. Some atmospheric general circulation models (GCM) have suggested that not only the albedo effect of the snow cover but also the snow-hydrological process are important in producing the atmospheric anomalies in the following seasons (Yeh and others, 1984; Barnett and others, 1988). However, more quantitative evaluations of these effects have not yet been examined. For example, it is not clear to what extent atmospheric anomalies are explained solely by snow-cover anomalies. Spatial and seasonal dependencies of these effects are supposed to be very large. Relative importance of snow cover over Tibetan Plateau should also be examined, particularly relevant to Asian summer monsoon anomalies. Moreover, these effects seem to be very sensitive to parameterizations of these physical processes (Yamazaki, 1988). This study focuses on these problems by using some versions of GCMs of the Meteorological Research Institute. The results include the evaluation of total snow-cover feedbacks as part of internal dynamics of climatic change from 12-year GCM integration, and of the effect of anomalous snow cover over Eurasia in late winter on land surface conditions and atmospheric circulations in the succeeding seasons.

scholarly journals Effect Of Eurasian Snow Cover On Summer Climate Of The Northern Hemisphere: A GCM Study

1990 ◽  
Vol 14 ◽  
pp. 364-364 ◽  
Author(s):  
Tetsuzo Yasunari ◽  
Akio Kitoh ◽  
Tatsushi Tokioka
Keyword(s):  
Snow Cover ◽  
Land Surface ◽  
General Circulation ◽  
Large Scale ◽  
General Circulation Models ◽  
Late Winter ◽  
Hydrological Process ◽  
Eurasian Snow Cover ◽  
Eurasian Snow ◽  
Snow Cover Extent

Observational studies have shown that Eurasian snow-cover anomalies during winter-through-spring seasons have a great effect on anomalies in atmospheric circulation and climate in the following summer season through snow albedo feedback (Hahn and Shukla, 1976; Dey and Bhanu Kumar, 1987). Morinaga and Yasunari (1987) have revealed that large-scale snow-cover extent over central Asia in late winter, which particularly has a great effect on the circulation over Eurasia in the following season, is closely related to the Eurasian pattern circulation (Wallace and Gutzler, 1981) in the beginning of winter.Some atmospheric general circulation models (GCM) have suggested that not only the albedo effect of the snow cover but also the snow-hydrological process are important in producing the atmospheric anomalies in the following seasons (Yeh and others, 1984; Barnett and others, 1988).However, more quantitative evaluations of these effects have not yet been examined. For example, it is not clear to what extent atmospheric anomalies are explained solely by snow-cover anomalies. Spatial and seasonal dependencies of these effects are supposed to be very large. Relative importance of snow cover over Tibetan Plateau should also be examined, particularly relevant to Asian summer monsoon anomalies. Moreover, these effects seem to be very sensitive to parameterizations of these physical processes (Yamazaki, 1988).This study focuses on these problems by using some versions of GCMs of the Meteorological Research Institute. The results include the evaluation of total snow-cover feedbacks as part of internal dynamics of climatic change from 12-year GCM integration, and of the effect of anomalous snow cover over Eurasia in late winter on land surface conditions and atmospheric circulations in the succeeding seasons.

scholarly journals Effects Of Eurasian Snow Cover On Atmospheric Circulation In The Northern Hemisphere

1990 ◽  
Vol 14 ◽  
pp. 348
Author(s):  
Yuki Morinaga ◽  
Tetuzo Yasunari
Keyword(s):  
Snow Cover ◽  
Atmospheric Circulation ◽  
Northern Hemisphere ◽  
Large Scale ◽  
Time Lag ◽  
Summer Monsoon Rainfall ◽  
Hydrological Process ◽  
Eurasian Snow Cover ◽  
Eurasian Snow ◽  
Snow Cover Extent

Effects of Eurasian snow cover were first noted by Blanford (1884) who found an inverse relationship between summer monsoon rainfall over India and winter snow cover over the Himalayas. Hahn and Shukla (1976) confirmed it by using satellite-derived data and their work stimulated succeeding studies on the interaction between large-scale snow cover and atmosphere. Matson and Wiesnet (1981) showed that interannual variation of northern hemisphere snow cover is dominated by Eurasian snow cover, both showing similar trends and fluctuations during 1967–79. Recent studies (Barnett, 1988) also noted that Eurasian snow cover has a greater feedback potential than that of North America on hemispheric-scale climatic anomalies. Though the importance has been thus recognized, not many studies have been done on the interaction between Eurasian snow cover and large-scale atmospheric circulation anomalies. Morinaga and Yasunari (1987) studied lag correlations between satellite-derived snow-cover extent over central Asia and the 500 mb-geopotential height field in the Northern Hemisphere (1967–84), and indicated that so-called Eurasian pattern (Wallace and Gutzler, 1981) in December brings large snow-cover extent in February; in turn, February snow cover has a considerable lingering effect on the atmosphere in April. This study present further results on the time-lag teleconnections of the atmosphere associated with Eurasian snow-cover anomalies and their physical implications including the evaluation of snow-hydrological process.

scholarly journals Effects Of Eurasian Snow Cover On Atmospheric Circulation In The Northern Hemisphere

1990 ◽  
Vol 14 ◽  
pp. 348-348
Author(s):  
Yuki Morinaga ◽  
Tetuzo Yasunari
Keyword(s):  
Snow Cover ◽  
Atmospheric Circulation ◽  
Northern Hemisphere ◽  
Large Scale ◽  
Time Lag ◽  
Summer Monsoon Rainfall ◽  
Hydrological Process ◽  
Eurasian Snow Cover ◽  
Eurasian Snow ◽  
Snow Cover Extent

Effects of Eurasian snow cover were first noted by Blanford (1884) who found an inverse relationship between summer monsoon rainfall over India and winter snow cover over the Himalayas. Hahn and Shukla (1976) confirmed it by using satellite-derived data and their work stimulated succeeding studies on the interaction between large-scale snow cover and atmosphere. Matson and Wiesnet (1981) showed that interannual variation of northern hemisphere snow cover is dominated by Eurasian snow cover, both showing similar trends and fluctuations during 1967–79. Recent studies (Barnett, 1988) also noted that Eurasian snow cover has a greater feedback potential than that of North America on hemispheric-scale climatic anomalies.Though the importance has been thus recognized, not many studies have been done on the interaction between Eurasian snow cover and large-scale atmospheric circulation anomalies. Morinaga and Yasunari (1987) studied lag correlations between satellite-derived snow-cover extent over central Asia and the 500 mb-geopotential height field in the Northern Hemisphere (1967–84), and indicated that so-called Eurasian pattern (Wallace and Gutzler, 1981) in December brings large snow-cover extent in February; in turn, February snow cover has a considerable lingering effect on the atmosphere in April.This study present further results on the time-lag teleconnections of the atmosphere associated with Eurasian snow-cover anomalies and their physical implications including the evaluation of snow-hydrological process.

scholarly journals On the role of Eurasian autumn snow cover in dynamical seasonal predictions 

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Paolo Ruggieri ◽  
Marianna Benassi ◽  
Stefano Materia ◽  
Daniele Peano ◽  
Constantin Ardilouze ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Snow Cover ◽  
Northern Hemisphere ◽  
Land Surface ◽  
General Circulation ◽  
Dominant Role ◽  
General Circulation Models ◽  
The Arctic ◽  
Seasonal Forecasts ◽  
Eurasian Snow

<p>Seasonal climate predictions leverage on many predictable or persistent components of the Earth system that can modify the state of the atmosphere and of relant weather related variable such as temprature and precipitation. With a dominant role of the ocean, the land surface provides predictability through various mechanisms, including snow cover, with particular reference to Autumn snow cover over the Eurasian continent. The snow cover alters the energy exchange between land surface and atmosphere and induces a diabatic cooling that in turn can affect the atmosphere both locally and remotely. Lagged relationships between snow cover in Eurasia and atmospheric modes of variability in the Northern Hemisphere have been investigated and documented but are deemed to be non-stationary and climate models typically do not reproduce observed relationships with consensus. The role of Autumn Eurasian snow in recent dynamical seasonal forecasts is therefore unclear. In this study we assess the role of Eurasian snow cover in a set of 5 operational seasonal forecast system characterized by a large ensemble size and a high atmospheric and oceanic resolution. Results are compemented with a set of targeted idealised simulations with atmospheric general circulation models forced by different snow cover conditions. Forecast systems reproduce realistically regional changes of the surface energy balance associated with snow cover variability. Retrospective forecasts and idealised sensitivity experiments converge in identifying a coherent change of the circulation in the Northern Hemisphere. This is compatible with a lagged but fast feedback from the snow to the Arctic Oscillation trough a tropospheric pathway.</p>

scholarly journals Forcing of the Arctic Oscillation by Eurasian Snow Cover

2011 ◽  
Vol 24 (24) ◽  
pp. 6528-6539 ◽  
Author(s):  
Robert J. Allen ◽  
Charles S. Zender
Keyword(s):  
Twentieth Century ◽  
Snow Cover ◽  
General Circulation ◽  
Arctic Oscillation ◽  
General Circulation Models ◽  
The Arctic ◽  
Positive Trend ◽  
Eurasian Snow Cover ◽  
Eurasian Snow ◽  
The Arctic Oscillation

Abstract Throughout much of the latter half of the twentieth century, the dominant mode of Northern Hemisphere (NH) extratropical wintertime circulation variability—the Arctic Oscillation (AO)—exhibited a positive trend, with decreasing high-latitude sea level pressure (SLP) and increasing midlatitude SLP. General circulation models (GCMs) show that this trend is related to several factors, including North Atlantic SSTs, greenhouse gas/ozone-induced stratospheric cooling, and warming of the Indo-Pacific warm pool. Over the last approximately two decades, however, the AO has been decreasing, with 2009/10 featuring the most negative AO since 1900. Observational and idealized modeling studies suggest that snow cover, particularly over Eurasia, may be important. An observed snow–AO mechanism also exists, involving the vertical propagation of a Rossby wave train into the stratosphere, which induces a negative AO response that couples to the troposphere. Similar to other GCMs, the authors show that transient simulations with the Community Atmosphere Model, version 3 (CAM3) yield a snow–AO relationship inconsistent with observations and dissimilar AO trends. However, Eurasian snow cover and its interannual variability are significantly underestimated. When the albedo effects of snow cover are prescribed in CAM3 (CAM PS) using satellite-based snow cover fraction data, a snow–AO relationship similar to observations develops. Furthermore, the late-twentieth-century increase in the AO, and particularly the recent decrease, is reproduced by CAM PS. The authors therefore conclude that snow cover has helped force the observed AO trends and that it may play an important role in future AO trends.

scholarly journals Variability of the Cold Season Climate in Central Asia. Part II: Hydroclimatic Predictability

2019 ◽  
Vol 32 (18) ◽  
pp. 6015-6033 ◽  
Author(s):  
Lars Gerlitz ◽  
Eva Steirou ◽  
Christoph Schneider ◽  
Vincent Moron ◽  
Sergiy Vorogushyn ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Central Asia ◽  
Snow Cover ◽  
Large Scale ◽  
Cold Season ◽  
Hadley Cell ◽  
Quasi Biennial Oscillation ◽  
Large Variability ◽  
Forecast Performance ◽  
Eurasian Snow Cover ◽  
Eurasian Snow

Abstract Central Asia (CA) is subjected to a large variability of precipitation. This study presents a statistical model, relating precipitation anomalies in three subregions of CA in the cold season (November–March) with various predictors in the preceding October. Promising forecast skill is achieved for two subregions covering 1) Uzbekistan, Turkmenistan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, and southern Kazakhstan and 2) Iran, Afghanistan, and Pakistan. ENSO in October is identified as the major predictor. Eurasian snow cover and the quasi-biennial oscillation further improve the forecast performance. To understand the physical mechanisms, an analysis of teleconnections between these predictors and the wintertime circulation over CA is conducted. The correlation analysis of predictors and large-scale circulation indices suggests a seasonal persistence of tropical circulation modes and a dynamical forcing of the westerly circulation by snow cover variations over Eurasia. An EOF analysis of pressure and humidity patterns allows separating the circulation variability over CA into westerly and tropical modes and confirms that the identified predictors affect the respective circulation characteristics. Based on the previously established weather type classification for CA, the predictors are investigated with regard to their effect on the regional circulation. The results suggest a modification of the Hadley cell due to ENSO variations, with enhanced moisture supply from the Arabian Gulf during El Niño. They further indicate an influence of Eurasian snow cover on the wintertime Arctic Oscillation (AO) and Northern Hemispheric Rossby wave tracks. Positive anomalies favor weather types associated with dry conditions, while negative anomalies promote the formation of a quasi-stationary trough over CA, which typically occurs during positive AO conditions.

scholarly journals The Canadian Earth System Model version 5 (CanESM5.0.3)

2019 ◽  
Vol 12 (11) ◽  
pp. 4823-4873 ◽  
Author(s):  
Neil C. Swart ◽  
Jason N. S. Cole ◽  
Viatcheslav V. Kharin ◽  
Mike Lazare ◽  
John F. Scinocca ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Land Surface ◽  
General Circulation ◽  
Large Scale ◽  
General Circulation Models ◽  
Earth System Model ◽  
System Model ◽  
Historical Period ◽  
Earth System ◽  
Historical Climate ◽  
Model Version

Abstract. The Canadian Earth System Model version 5 (CanESM5) is a global model developed to simulate historical climate change and variability, to make centennial-scale projections of future climate, and to produce initialized seasonal and decadal predictions. This paper describes the model components and their coupling, as well as various aspects of model development, including tuning, optimization, and a reproducibility strategy. We also document the stability of the model using a long control simulation, quantify the model's ability to reproduce large-scale features of the historical climate, and evaluate the response of the model to external forcing. CanESM5 is comprised of three-dimensional atmosphere (T63 spectral resolution equivalent roughly to 2.8∘) and ocean (nominally 1∘) general circulation models, a sea-ice model, a land surface scheme, and explicit land and ocean carbon cycle models. The model features relatively coarse resolution and high throughput, which facilitates the production of large ensembles. CanESM5 has a notably higher equilibrium climate sensitivity (5.6 K) than its predecessor, CanESM2 (3.7 K), which we briefly discuss, along with simulated changes over the historical period. CanESM5 simulations contribute to the Coupled Model Intercomparison Project phase 6 (CMIP6) and will be employed for climate science and service applications in Canada.

scholarly journals The Canadian Earth System Model version 5 (CanESM5.0.3)

2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Neil C. Swart ◽  
Jason N. S. Cole ◽  
Viatcheslav V. Kharin ◽  
Mike Lazare ◽  
John F. Scinocca ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Land Surface ◽  
General Circulation ◽  
Large Scale ◽  
General Circulation Models ◽  
Earth System Model ◽  
System Model ◽  
Historical Period ◽  
Earth System ◽  
Historical Climate ◽  
Model Version

Abstract. The Canadian Earth System Model version 5 (CanESM5) is a global model developed to simulate historical climate change and variability, to make centennial scale projections of future climate, and to produce initialized seasonal and decadal predictions. This paper describes the model components and their coupling, as well as various aspects of model development, including tuning, optimization and a reproducibility strategy. We also document the stability of the model using a long control simulation, quantify the model's ability to reproduce large scale features of the historical climate, and evaluate the response of the model to external forcing. CanESM5 is comprised of three dimensional atmosphere (T63 spectral resolution/2.8°) and ocean (nominally 1°) general circulation models, a sea ice model, a land surface scheme, and explicit land and ocean carbon cycle models. The model features relatively coarse resolution and high throughput, which facilitates the production of large ensembles. CanESM5 has a notably higher equilibrium climate sensitivity (5.7 K) than its predecessor CanESM2 (3.8 K), which we briefly discuss, along with simulated changes over the historical period. CanESM5 simulations are contributing to the Coupled Model Intercomparison Project Phase 6 (CMIP6), and will be employed for climate science and service applications in Canada.

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