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Title: Cloud and circulation feedbacks in a near‐global aquaplanet cloud‐resolving model

Journal Article · · Journal of Advances in Modeling Earth Systems
DOI:https://doi.org/10.1002/2016MS000872· OSTI ID:1355939
ORCiD logo [1]; ORCiD logo [1];  [2]
  1. Department of Atmospheric Sciences University of Washington Seattle Washington USA
  2. School of Marine and Atmospheric Sciences Stony Brook University Stony Brook New York USA
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Abstract A near‐global aquaplanet cloud‐resolving model (NGAqua) with fixed meridionally varying sea‐surface temperature (SST) is used to investigate cloud feedbacks due to three climate perturbations: a uniform 4 K SST increase, a quadrupled‐CO 2 concentration, and both combined. NGAqua has a horizontal resolution of 4 km with no cumulus parameterization. Its domain is a zonally periodic 20,480 km‐long tropical channel, spanning 46°S–N. It produces plausible mean distributions of clouds, rainfall, and winds. After spin‐up, 80 days are analyzed for the control and increased‐SST simulations, and 40 days for those with quadrupled CO 2 . The Intertropical Convergence Zone width and tropical cloud cover are not strongly affected by SST warming or CO 2 increase, except for the expected upward shift in high clouds with warming, but both perturbations weaken the Hadley circulation. Increased SST induces a statistically significant increase in subtropical low cloud fraction and in‐cloud liquid water content but decreases midlatitude cloud, yielding slightly positive domain‐mean shortwave cloud feedbacks. CO 2 quadrupling causes a slight shallowing and a statistically insignificant reduction of subtropical low cloud fraction. Warming‐induced low cloud changes are strongly correlated with changes in estimated inversion strength, which increases modestly in the subtropics but decreases in the midlatitudes. Enhanced clear‐sky boundary layer radiative cooling in the warmer climate accompanies the robust subtropical low cloud increase. The probability distribution of column relative humidity across the tropics and subtropics is compared between the control and increased‐SST simulations. It shows no evidence of bimodality or increased convective aggregation in a warmer climate.

Research Organization:
Univ. of Washington, Seattle, WA (United States); Stony Brook Univ. of New York, NY (United States)
Sponsoring Organization:
USDOE Office of Science (SC)
Grant/Contract Number:
DE‐SC0012488; SC0012451; SC0012488
OSTI ID:
1355939
Alternate ID(s):
OSTI ID: 1355940; OSTI ID: 1393561
Journal Information:
Journal of Advances in Modeling Earth Systems, Journal Name: Journal of Advances in Modeling Earth Systems Vol. 9 Journal Issue: 2; ISSN 1942-2466
Publisher:
American Geophysical Union (AGU)Copyright Statement
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English
Citation Metrics:
Cited by: 17 works
Citation information provided by
Web of Science

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