A More La Niña–Like Response to Radiative Forcing after Flux Adjustment in CESM2
[1];
- Lamont-Doherty Earth Observatory, Columbia University, Palisades, New York
- Lamont-Doherty Earth Observatory, Columbia University, Palisades, New York, Department of Applied Physics and Applied Mathematics, Columbia University, New York, New York
- Department of Geosciences, Mississippi State University, Mississippi State, Mississippi
- School of Marine and Atmospheric Sciences, Stony Brook University, Stony Brook, New York
Abstract In response to greenhouse gas forcing, most coupled global climate models project the tropical Pacific SST trend toward an “El Niño–like” state, with a reduced zonal SST gradient and a weakened Walker circulation. However, observations over the last five decades reveal a trend toward a more “La Niña–like” state with a strengthening zonal SST gradient. Recent research indicates that the identified trend differences are unlikely to be entirely due to internal variability and probably result, at least in part, from systematic model biases. In this study, Community Earth System Model, version 2 (CESM2), is used to explore how mean-state biases within the model may influence its forced response to radiative forcing in the tropical Pacific. The results show that using flux adjustment to reduce the mean-state bias in CESM2 over the tropical regions results in a more La Niña–like trend pattern in the tropical Pacific, with a strengthening of the tropical Pacific zonal SST gradient and a relatively enhanced Walker circulation, as hypothesized to occur if the ocean thermostat mechanism is stronger than the atmospheric mechanisms which by themselves would weaken the Walker circulation. We also find that the historical strengthening of the tropical Pacific zonal gradient is transient but persists into the near term in a high-emissions future warming scenario. These results suggest the potential of flux adjustment as a method for developing alternative projections that represent a wider range of possible future tropical Pacific warming scenarios, especially for a better understanding of regional patterns of climate risk in the near term.
- Sponsoring Organization:
- USDOE
- Grant/Contract Number:
- SC0023333
- OSTI ID:
- 2510901
- Journal Information:
- Journal of Climate, Journal Name: Journal of Climate Journal Issue: 4 Vol. 38; ISSN 0894-8755
- Publisher:
- American Meteorological SocietyCopyright Statement
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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