Elevation dependency of the surface climate change signal: A model study

Journal Article · Sat Feb 01 04:00:00 EST 1997 · Journal of Climate

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1175/1520-0442(1997)010<0288:EDOTSC>2.0.CO;2· OSTI ID:460084

Giorgi, F; Hurrell, J W; Marinucci, M R ^[1]

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1. National Center for Atmospheric Research, Boulder, CO (United States); and others

Results are presented from a present-day and a doubled CO{sub 2} experiment over the Alpine region with a nested regional climate model. The simulated temperature change signal shows a substantial elevation dependency, mostly during the winter and spring seasons, resulting in more pronounced warming at high elevations than low elevations. This is caused by a depletion of snowpack in doubled CO{sub 2} conditions and further enhanced by the snow-albedo feedback. This result is consistent with some observed temperature trends for anomalously warm years over the Alpine region and suggests that high elevation temperature changes could be used as an early detection tool for global warming. Changes in precipitation, as well as other components of the surface energy and water budgets, also show an elevation signal, which may have important implications for impact assessments in high elevation regions. 22 refs., 10 figs., 2 tabs.

• OSTI ID: 460084
• Journal Information: Journal of Climate, Journal Name: Journal of Climate Journal Issue: 2 Vol. 10; ISSN JLCLEL; ISSN 0894-8755
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

54 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES
ALBEDO
ALTITUDE
ATMOSPHERIC PRECIPITATIONS
CARBON DIOXIDE
CLIMATIC CHANGE
DETECTION
GREENHOUSE EFFECT
SNOW
SURFACE ENERGY