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Summertime maximum and minimum temperature coupling asymmetry over Australia determined using WRF
Author(s) -
Hirsch A. L.,
Pitman A. J.,
Seneviratne S. I.,
Evans J. P.,
Haverd V.
Publication year - 2014
Publication title -
geophysical research letters
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 2.007
H-Index - 273
eISSN - 1944-8007
pISSN - 0094-8276
DOI - 10.1002/2013gl059055
Subject(s) - weather research and forecasting model , atmosphere (unit) , precipitation , coupling (piping) , asymmetry , climate model , atmospheric sciences , planetary boundary layer , moisture , climatology , coupling strength , environmental science , boundary layer , physics , climate change , meteorology , materials science , thermodynamics , geology , condensed matter physics , oceanography , quantum mechanics , metallurgy
Using the Weather and Research Forecasting model we derive the first estimates for intraseasonal soil moisture‐atmosphere coupling strength for the Australian summer climate using methodology adapted from the Global Land‐Atmosphere Coupling Experiment. We examine the variations in coupling strength by perturbing the background climate (dry versus wet year) and the model physics (planetary boundary layer or cumulus scheme). For all choices of model physics, results identify Australia as a “hot spot” of soil moisture‐atmosphere coupling for both mean and maximum temperatures. For the wet case, results are consistent for maximum temperature for all physics choices. Results diverge more for maximum temperature in the chosen dry year. The coupling of soil moisture with minimum temperature is weaker but consistent for all choices of model physics or whether a wet or dry year is used. Coupling strength for precipitation is weak and not statistically significant irrespective of the choice of model physics.