Dataset Information

Spatially similar surface energy flux perturbations due to greenhouse gases and aerosols.

ABSTRACT: Despite distinct geographic distributions of top-of-the-atmosphere radiative forcing, anthropogenic greenhouse gases and aerosols have been found to produce similar patterns of climate response in atmosphere-and-ocean coupled climate model simulations. Understanding surface energy flux changes, a crucial pathway by which atmospheric forcing is communicated to the ocean, is a vital bridge to explaining the similar full atmosphere-and-ocean responses to these disparate forcings. Here we analyze the fast, atmosphere-driven change in surface energy flux caused by present-day greenhouse gases vs aerosols to elucidate its role in shaping the subsequent slow, coupled response. We find that the surface energy flux response patterns achieve roughly two-thirds of the anti-correlation seen in the fully coupled response, driven by Rossby waves excited by symmetric changes to the land-sea contrast. Our results suggest that atmosphere and land surface processes are capable of achieving substantial within-hemisphere homogenization in the climate response to disparate forcers on fast, societally-relevant timescales.

SUBMITTER: Persad GG

PROVIDER: S-EPMC6092435 | biostudies-literature | 2018 Aug

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature

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Spatially similar surface energy flux perturbations due to greenhouse gases and aerosols.

Persad Geeta G GG Ming Yi Y Shen Zhaoyi Z Ramaswamy V V

Nature communications 20180814 1

Despite distinct geographic distributions of top-of-the-atmosphere radiative forcing, anthropogenic greenhouse gases and aerosols have been found to produce similar patterns of climate response in atmosphere-and-ocean coupled climate model simulations. Understanding surface energy flux changes, a crucial pathway by which atmospheric forcing is communicated to the ocean, is a vital bridge to explaining the similar full atmosphere-and-ocean responses to these disparate forcings. Here we analyze th ...[more]

PMID: 30108223

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Spatially similar surface energy flux perturbations due to greenhouse gases and aerosols.

Publications

Spatially similar surface energy flux perturbations due to greenhouse gases and aerosols.

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