Land-Atmosphere-Ocean-Ice Interface Processes in the National Center for Atmospheric Research (NCAR) Community Climate System Model (CCSM)

University Of Arizona, Tucson AZ

Investigators

Abstract

This work is directed toward improving the parameterizations and performance of the NCAR Community Climate System Model (CCSM). There are four main tasks: 1) parameterization of ocean skin temperature diurnal cycle; 2) Convergence of canopy roughness length and displacement height to bare soil values as vegetation cover approaches zero (an existing model inconsistency); 3) Realistic treatment of snow over short and tall vegetation; 4) Improvement of the atmospheric bulk turbulent transfer algorithm over sea ice. The CCSM is the community climate modeling resource for U.S. universities, and one of two U.S. models used in the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) assessments. Constant improvement of this climate model is necessary to advance our understanding of the climate system. Broader impacts also include support of a graduate student.