How well do state-of-the-art Atmosphere-Ocean general circulation models reproduce atmospheric teleconnection patterns?


Contact
Doerthe.Handorf [ at ] awi.de

Abstract

This article evaluates the ability of state-of-the-art climate models to reproduce the low-frequency variability of the mid-tropospheric winter flow of the Northern Hemisphere in terms of atmospheric teleconnection patterns. Therefore, multi-model simulations for present-day conditions, performed for the 4th assessment report of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change, have been analysed and compared with re-analysis data sets. The spatial patterns of atmospheric teleconnections are reproduced reasonably by most of the models. The comparison of coupled with atmosphere-only runs confirmed that a better representation of the forcing by sea surface temperatures has the potential to slightly improve the representation of only wave train-like patterns. Due to internally generated climate variability, the models are not able to reproduce the observed temporal behaviour. Insights into the dynamical reasons for the limited skill of climate models in reproducing teleconnections have been obtained by studying the relation between major teleconnections and zonal wind variability patterns. About half of the models are able to reproduce the observed relationship. For these cases, the quality of simulated teleconnection patterns is largely determined by the quality of zonal wind variability patterns. Therefore, improvements of simulated eddy-mean flow interaction have the potential to improve the atmospheric teleconnections.



Item Type
Article
Authors
Divisions
Programs
Publication Status
Published
Eprint ID
32007
DOI 10.3402/tellusa.v64i0.19777

Cite as
Handorf, D. and Dethloff, K. (2012): How well do state-of-the-art Atmosphere-Ocean general circulation models reproduce atmospheric teleconnection patterns? , Tellus Series A-Dynamic Meteorology and Oceanography, 64 (19777), pp. 1-27 . doi: 10.3402/tellusa.v64i0.19777


Download
[thumbnail of handorf_dethloff_tellusa_2012_evaluation_teleconnection_CMIP.pdf]
Preview
PDF
handorf_dethloff_tellusa_2012_evaluation_teleconnection_CMIP.pdf

Download (7MB) | Preview
Cite this document as:
[thumbnail of handorf_dethloff_tellusa_2012_evaluation_teleconnection_CMIP_supp.pdf]
Preview
PDF
handorf_dethloff_tellusa_2012_evaluation_teleconnection_CMIP_supp.pdf

Download (2MB) | Preview
Cite this document as:

Share
Add to AnyAdd to TwitterAdd to FacebookAdd to LinkedinAdd to PinterestAdd to Email


Citation

Research Platforms
N/A

Campaigns
N/A


Actions
Edit Item Edit Item