Tropical interannual variability in a global coupled GCM: Sensitivity to mean climate state

Journal Article · Sat Apr 01 04:00:00 EST 1995 · Journal of Climate

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1175/1520-0442(1995)008<0807:TIVIAG>2.0.CO;2· OSTI ID:81170

Moore, A M ^[1]

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1. Bureau of Meterology Research Centre, Melbourne, Victoria (Australia)

A global coupled ocean-atmosphere-sea ice general circulation model is used to study interannual variability in the Tropics. Flux correction is used to control the mean climate of the coupled system, and in one configuration of the coupled model, interannual variability in the tropical Pacific is dominated by westward moving anomalies. Through a series of experiments in which the equatorial ocean wave speeds and ocean-atmosphere coupling strength are varied, it is demonstrated that these westward moving disturbances are probably some manifestation of what Neelin describes as an {open_quotes}SST mode.{close_quotes} By modifying the flux correction procedure, the mean climate of the coupled model can be changed. A fairly modest change in the mean climate is all that is required to excite eastward moving anomalies in place of the westward moving SST modes found previously. The apparent sensitivity of the nature of tropical interannual variability to the mean climate state in a coupled general circulation model such as that used here suggests that caution is advisable if we try to use such models to answer questions relating to changes in ENSO-like variability associated with global climate change. 41 refs., 23 figs., 1 tab.

• OSTI ID: 81170
• Journal Information: Journal of Climate, Journal Name: Journal of Climate Journal Issue: 4 Vol. 8; ISSN 0894-8755; ISSN JLCLEL
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

54 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES
99 GENERAL AND MISCELLANEOUS
ATMOSPHERIC CIRCULATION
CLIMATIC CHANGE
CONFIGURATION
GENERAL CIRCULATION MODELS
OCEANIC CIRCULATION
SEASONAL VARIATIONS
SENSITIVITY