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Climate simulations with the global coupled atmosphere-ocean model ECHAM2/OPYC Part I: present-day climate and ENSO events

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Abstract

In this study the global coupled atmosphere-ocean general circulation model ECHAM2/OPYC and its performance in simulating the present-day climate is presented. The model consists of the T21-spectral atmosphere general circulation model ECHAM2 and the ocean general circulation model OPYC with a resolution corresponding to a T42 Gaussian grid, with increasing resolution towards the equator. The sea-ice is represented by a dynamic thermodynamic sea-ice model with rheology. Both models are coupled using the flux correction technique. With the coupled model ECHAM2/OPYC a 210-year integration under present-day greenhouse gas conditions has been performed. The coupled model simulates a realistic mean climate state, which is close to the observations. The model generates several ENSO events without external forcing. Using traditional and advanced (POP-technique) methods these ENSO events have been analyzed. The results are consistent with the “delayed action oscillator” theory. The model simulates both a tropical and an extra-tropical response to ENSO, which are in good agreement with observations.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Meteorologisches Institut der Universität Hamburg, Bundesstraße 55, D-20146, Hamburg, Germany

    Frank Lunkeit

  2. Deutsche Forschungsanstalt für Luft- und Raumfahrt (DLR), Institut für Physik der Atmosphäre, Oberpfaffenhofen, D-82234, Weßling, Germany

    Robert Sausen

  3. Deutsches Klimarechenzentrum (DKRZ), Bundesstraße 55, D-20146, Hamburg, Germany

    Josef M. Oberhuber

Authors
  1. Frank Lunkeit
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  2. Robert Sausen
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  3. Josef M. Oberhuber
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Lunkeit, F., Sausen, R. & Oberhuber, J.M. Climate simulations with the global coupled atmosphere-ocean model ECHAM2/OPYC Part I: present-day climate and ENSO events. Climate Dynamics 12, 195–212 (1996). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00211618

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