GCM simulations of the climate of 6 kyr BP: Mean changes and interdecadal variability

Journal Article · Sun Dec 01 04:00:00 EST 1996 · Journal of Climate

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1175/1520-0442(1996)009<3505:GSOTCO>2.0.CO;2· OSTI ID:447208

Hewitt, C D; Mitchell, J F.B. ^[1]

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1. Hadley Centre for Climate Prediction and Research, Bracknell (United Kingdom)

A simulation of the climate for 6 kyr BP, using the Hadley Centre`s atmospheric GCM with prescribed SSTs is described. The control simulation successfully reproduces the large-scale features of the present-day climate and has realistic atmospheric interannual variability. The anomaly simulation for 6 kyr BP produces a climate with an enhanced Northern Hemisphere seasonal cycle, and, in particular, a strengthened African-Asian summer monsoon. Integrated over the full annual cycle, the land surface of the southern Tropics dries while the northern Tropics get wetter, and the high northern latitudes also dry. The model simulates large regional interdecadal differences in the response at 6 kyr BP highlighting the need to allow for and account for variability on long, that is, at least decadal, timescales. The authors describe the consequences of part of the experimental design employed, whereby the SSTs for the 6 kyr BP simulation are the same as in the control as recommended by the Paleoclimate Modelling Intercomparison Project, in particular, the potential importance of ocean and sea ice feedbacks. 49 refs., 14 figs., 4 tabs.

• OSTI ID: 447208
• Journal Information: Journal of Climate, Journal Name: Journal of Climate Journal Issue: 12 Vol. 9; ISSN 0894-8755; ISSN JLCLEL
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

54 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES
99 GENERAL AND MISCELLANEOUS
COMPARATIVE EVALUATIONS
GENERAL CIRCULATION MODELS
MONSOONS
PALEOCLIMATOLOGY
PERFORMANCE
QUATERNARY PERIOD