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The observed fingerprint of 1980–1997 ENSO evolution in the NCAR CSM equilibrium simulation
Author(s) -
Liang XinZhong,
Wang WeiChyung
Publication year - 1998
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 - 10.1029/98gl00719
Subject(s) - climatology , el niño southern oscillation , forcing (mathematics) , environmental science , data assimilation , climate model , general circulation model , climate system , multivariate enso index , climate change , atmospheric sciences , geology , southern oscillation , meteorology , geography , oceanography
General circulation models (GCMs) are capable of simulating certain statistical characteristics of the composite El Niño‐Southern Oscillation (ENSO) cycle. Here we demonstrate that the NCAR Climate System Model (CSM), in absence of external forcing and data assimilation, simulates both temporal variations and spatial patterns associated with the observed ENSO cycles during 1980s. The model also produces a distinct decadal change of ENSO variations that resembles the observed shift from 1980s (strong and well‐defined cycles) to the early 1990s (weak and short‐lived warm phases) followed by the strong 1997 El Niño. The study thus suggests that the ENSO evolution during 1980s and the decadal shift in 1990s might be a result of natural variability intrinsic to the interactive climate system. Given the perceived capability to simulate natural variations, the CSM can be used to supplement observational data to better understand climate variability on interannual‐to‐decadal timescales.