Open AccessFlux correction and the simulation of changing climate
Author(s) -
Edwin K. Schneider
Publication year - 1996
Publication title -
annales geophysicae
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.522
H-Index - 93
eISSN - 1432-0576
pISSN - 0992-7689
DOI - 10.1007/s00585-996-0336-8
Subject(s) - flux (metallurgy) , transient (computer programming) , current (fluid) , simple (philosophy) , computer simulation , climate model , atmosphere (unit) , atmospheric model , mechanics , meteorology , physics , statistical physics , computer science , climate change , geology , thermodynamics , philosophy , oceanography , materials science , epistemology , metallurgy , operating system
A flaw is pointed out in the manner in whichflux correction is currently applied to coupled atmosphere-ocean generalcirculation models. If a transient climate simulation were carried out usingperfect initial data and a perfect model, then a perfect simulation would bemade. However, if the model were flux corrected so that it is in equilibrium forcurrent conditions, according to current practice, then errors in the simulationwould grow initially to a finite amplitude and persist indefinitely. Largererrors would be produced by a simulation with the flux corrected model beginningfrom pre-industrial conditions than by a simulation beginning from currentconditions. An example with a simple linear model is constructed to illustratethis point, and the relationship to the cold start problem is demonstrated. Anoptimal flux correction for the simple example is shown to be one which wouldeliminate the error in the current climate from a transient simulation begunsufficiently far in the past