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Title: Simulating the Pineapple Express in the half degree Community Climate System Model, CCSM4

Abstract

Atmospheric rivers are recognized as major contributors to the poleward transport of water vapor. Upon reaching land, these phenomena also play a critical role in extreme precipitation and flooding events. The Pineapple Express (PE) is defined as an atmospheric river extending out of the deep tropics and reaching the west coast of North America. In this paper, Community Climate System Model (CCSM4) high-resolution ensemble simulations for the twentieth and 21st centuries are diagnosed to identify the PE. Analysis of the twentieth century simulations indicated that the CCSM4 accurately captures the spatial and temporal climatology of the PE. Analysis of the end 21st century simulations indicates a significant increase in storm duration and intensity of precipitation associated with landfall of the PE. Finally, only a modest increase in the number of atmospheric rivers of a few percent is projected for the end of 21st century.

Authors:
 [1];  [1]
  1. National Center for Atmospheric Research, Boulder, CO (United States)
Publication Date:
Research Org.:
Oak Ridge National Lab. (ORNL), Oak Ridge, TN (United States). Oak Ridge Leadership Computing Facility (OLCF); National Center for Atmospheric Research (NCAR), Boulder, CO (United States)
Sponsoring Org.:
USDOE Office of Science (SC), Biological and Environmental Research (BER); National Science Foundation (NSF)
OSTI Identifier:
1469328
Grant/Contract Number:  
FC02-97ER62402; AC05-00OR22725
Resource Type:
Accepted Manuscript
Journal Name:
Geophysical Research Letters
Additional Journal Information:
Journal Volume: 43; Journal Issue: 14; Journal ID: ISSN 0094-8276
Publisher:
American Geophysical Union
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English
Subject:
54 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES; atmospheric rivers; climate change

Citation Formats

Shields, Christine A., and Kiehl, Jeffrey T. Simulating the Pineapple Express in the half degree Community Climate System Model, CCSM4. United States: N. p., 2016. Web. doi:10.1002/2016GL069476.
Shields, Christine A., & Kiehl, Jeffrey T. Simulating the Pineapple Express in the half degree Community Climate System Model, CCSM4. United States. https://doi.org/10.1002/2016GL069476
Shields, Christine A., and Kiehl, Jeffrey T. Fri . "Simulating the Pineapple Express in the half degree Community Climate System Model, CCSM4". United States. https://doi.org/10.1002/2016GL069476. https://www.osti.gov/servlets/purl/1469328.
@article{osti_1469328,
title = {Simulating the Pineapple Express in the half degree Community Climate System Model, CCSM4},
author = {Shields, Christine A. and Kiehl, Jeffrey T.},
abstractNote = {Atmospheric rivers are recognized as major contributors to the poleward transport of water vapor. Upon reaching land, these phenomena also play a critical role in extreme precipitation and flooding events. The Pineapple Express (PE) is defined as an atmospheric river extending out of the deep tropics and reaching the west coast of North America. In this paper, Community Climate System Model (CCSM4) high-resolution ensemble simulations for the twentieth and 21st centuries are diagnosed to identify the PE. Analysis of the twentieth century simulations indicated that the CCSM4 accurately captures the spatial and temporal climatology of the PE. Analysis of the end 21st century simulations indicates a significant increase in storm duration and intensity of precipitation associated with landfall of the PE. Finally, only a modest increase in the number of atmospheric rivers of a few percent is projected for the end of 21st century.},
doi = {10.1002/2016GL069476},
journal = {Geophysical Research Letters},
number = 14,
volume = 43,
place = {United States},
year = {Fri Jul 15 00:00:00 EDT 2016},
month = {Fri Jul 15 00:00:00 EDT 2016}
}

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Cited by: 39 works
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