Decadal Climate Variability, Predictability, and the Atlantic Meridional Overturning Circulation
Background
On regional scales and for periods of a decade or two, natural climate variability has an impact comparable to greenhouse gas induced climate change. These impacts include decadal-scale changes in drought and extreme weather events, including hurricanes. Thus, it is crucial to understand the mechanisms and climatic relevance of decadal variability, and to assess whether such decadal variability is predictable. Furthering our understanding of decadal variability also enhances our ability to differentiate human-induced climate change from natural climate variability.
This project looks at decadal variability and predictability from a global perspective, but with special emphasis on the Atlantic Meridional Overturning Circulation (AMOC). The AMOC is a northward flow of warm, salty water in the upper layers of the Atlantic, and a southward flow of colder waters in the deep Atlantic. Since this circulation transports a substantial amount of heat from the Tropics to higher latitudes, fluctuations in this circulation can have a profound impact on climate. Previous work has linked AMOC changes to Indian and African monsoon rainfall, hurricanes in the Atlantic, and summertime temperature and rainfall over North America and Europe. It has also played an important role in past abrupt climate changes, such as those that occurred during the ending of the Last Ice Age approximately 8,000 to 13,000 years ago. A recent CCSP report examines the possibility of future abrupt change in the AMOC.
Current Research Efforts and Plans:
Efforts in this project seek to better understand the mechanisms of decadal climate variability and to assess whether such variability may be predictable through the use of both statistical tools and advanced computer climate models. In particular, major research efforts are underway to:
- evaluate the mechanisms of decadal climate variability, including the AMOC, and their climatic impact
- estimate the inherent decadal scale predictability of the climate system in general, and the AMOC in particular
- develop advanced coupled assimilation systems to initialize coupled climate models for decadal predictions
- develop high resolution coupled models to assess decadal variability and predictability
- develop protoype decadal prediction system
In addition, during 2009 and 2010 we will perform climate model experiments in support of the IPCC Fifth Assessment Report (AR5, scheduled for completion in 2013). These experiment will follow an internationally accepted protocol, and output from these experiments will be made publicly available on our GFDL data portal.
External Links
US AMOC Program
US CLIVAR Program
UK RAPID Program
