Climate Variability: Some Results from a Simple Low-Order GCM

Abstract

The shortcomings of stochastic models of climate variability are briefly reviewed. A climate model consisting of a low-order semi-spectral atmospheric general circulation model coupled to a mixed layer “ocean” is described. Numerical experiments done with this model generate climate variability in all resolved time scales. Resulting surface temperature time series are analysed in space frequency domains. Observed features are compared with those produced by simple stochastic climate models.