Abstract
Abstract This paper contrasts the sea surface temperature (SST) and surface heat flux errors in the Tropical Pacific simulated by the University of California, Los Angeles, coupled atmosphere–ocean general circulation model (CGCM) and by its atmospheric component (AGCM) using prescribed SSTs. The usefulness of such a comparison is discussed in view of the sensitivities of the coupled system. Off the equator, the CGCM simulates more realistic surface heat fluxes than the AGCM, except in the eastern Pacific south of the equator where the coupled model produces a spurious intertropical convergence zone. The AGCM errors are dominated by excessive latent heat flux, except in the stratus regions along the coasts of California and Peru where errors are dominated by excessive shortwave flux. The CGCM tends to balance the AGCM errors by either correctly decreasing the evaporation at the expense of cold SST biases or erroneously increasing the evaporation at the expense of warm SST biases. At the equator, errors in...
Highlights
The seasonal cycle of the atmosphere–ocean system is determined by complex interactions and feedbacks between elements of the system
This study presents such a comparison in the context of the seasonal cycle of surface heat flux simulated by the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) coupled GCM (CGCM) and AGCM
In view of the close association between surface wind and sea level pressure patterns (SLP) around the equator, we present in Fig. 10 the differences between planetary boundary layer (PBL) wind and SLP fields simulated by the CGCM and AGCM for March and October
Summary
The seasonal cycle of the atmosphere–ocean system is determined by complex interactions and feedbacks between elements of the system. The simulation of the seasonal cycle by a coupled GCM (CGCM) is highly sensitive to the successes/deficiencies of its atmospheric and oceanic components. A useful way to look into the sensitivities of the coupled system is to compare simulations performed by a CGCM and by its atmospheric component (AGCM) with prescribed sea surface temperatures (SSTs). This study presents such a comparison in the context of the seasonal cycle of surface heat flux simulated by the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) CGCM and AGCM. All fields were regridded by linear interpolation to the 4Њ lat ϫ 5Њ long grid of the AGCM for comparisons with the model output
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Free) 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a call
