A comparison of GCM-simulated and observed mean January and July surface air temperature. [GCM (General Circulation Model)]

Journal Article · Mon Feb 01 04:00:00 EST 1993 · Journal of Climate; (United States)

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1175/1520-0442(1993)006<0274:ACOGSA>2.0.CO;2· OSTI ID:6561411

Willmott, C J ^[1]; Legates, D R ^[2]

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1. Univ. of Delaware, Newark (United States)
2. Univ. of Oklahoma, Norman (United States)

January and July surface air temperature fields simulated by the GFDL, OSU, GISS, and UKMO general circulation models (GCMs) are compared to the global surface air temperature climatology compiled by Legates and Willmott. Legates and Willmott's climatology was selected as the verification standard because it provides better spatial and temporal coverage than its predecessors, such as the frequently employed RAND climatology compiled in the early 1970s. Difference maps between each GCM-simulated field and the Legates and Willmott climatology are presented and evaluated. Zonal averages by 10[degrees]latitudinal bands for each GCM as well as for the Legates and Willmott and RAND climatologies also are examined. Results indicate that surface air temperature simulations are greatly influenced by model representations of topography, sea level pressure, and precipitation. Inclusion of the diurnal cycle and the type of ocean model used also impact simulated surface air temperatures. Mean January and July surface air temperatures are well simulated by the GISS and UKMO models, whereas temperatures are overestimated by the OSU GCM and underestimated by the GFDL GCM. GISS and UKMO simulations seem even more accurate, on the average, than the data contained in the RAND observation-based climatology. Simulated equatorial air temperatures are slightly higher than observed, particularly in the Southern Hemisphere. Model simulated air temperatures between 30[degrees]S and 60[degrees]S are usually lower than observed, while air temperatures poleward of 60[degrees]S are overestimated. Northern Hemisphere temperatures are generally better simulated than their Southern Hemisphere counterparts.

• OSTI ID: 6561411
• Journal Information: Journal of Climate; (United States), Journal Name: Journal of Climate; (United States) Vol. 6:2; ISSN JLCLEL; ISSN 0894-8755
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

54 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES
540110*
AIR
ATMOSPHERIC PRECIPITATIONS
COMPARATIVE EVALUATIONS
DATA
EARTH PLANET
EVALUATION
EXPERIMENTAL DATA
FLUIDS
GASES
GENERAL CIRCULATION MODELS
INFORMATION
LEVELS
MATHEMATICAL MODELS
NORTHERN HEMISPHERE
NUMERICAL DATA
PLANETS
SEA LEVEL
SOUTHERN HEMISPHERE
SURFACE AIR
TEMPERATURE MEASUREMENT
TESTING
THEORETICAL DATA
TOPOGRAPHY