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A 1-D atmospheric energy balance model developed for ocean modelling

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Summary

We present a simple, deterministic energy balance model. The model is designed to represent the atmospheric component of the coupled atmosphere-ocean system. It is a one dimensional, global model with time and space resolutions of one year and 10° of latitude respectively. The model predicts the surface air temperature and estimates the surface freshwater flux diagnostically. The coupling between the atmospheric model and an ocean model is accomplished by heat and freshwater fluxes at their interface. The heat flux is calculated according to the difference in the surface air temperature and ocean surface temperature, while the freshwater flux is estimated from the latent heat transport in the atmosphere by a diagnostic equation. Two parameterizations for the latent heat transport are proposed, which distinguishes the two versions of the model.

Before proceeding with interactive runs, we study the behaviour of the model in a decoupled mode. Some experiments with initial conditions altered and external forcings changed arė carried out to investigate the sensitivity and stability of the model. In particular, the influence of the ice-albedo feedback on model solutions is examined. The results of these experiments may be helpful both in understanding the characteristics of the model and in interpreting results when the model is coupled to an OGCM.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Laboratory of Climatology, Department of Physical Geography, Earth Sciences Centre, Göteborgs University, Sweden

    D. Chen

  2. Physics II, Alfred-Wegener-Institute for Polar and Marine Research, Bremerhafen, Germany

    R. Gerdes & G. Lohmann

Authors
  1. D. Chen
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  2. R. Gerdes
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  3. G. Lohmann
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Chen, D., Gerdes, R. & Lohmann, G. A 1-D atmospheric energy balance model developed for ocean modelling. Theor Appl Climatol 51, 25–38 (1995). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00865537

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00865537

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