Publication Abstracts

Lynn et al. 2004

Lynn, B.H., L. Druyan, C. Hogrefe, J. Dudhia, C. Rosenzweig, R. Goldberg, D. Rind, R. Healy, P. Kinney, and J. Rosenthal, 2004: Sensitivity of present and future surface temperatures to precipitation characteristics. Clim. Res., 28, 53-65.

A model simulation study shows that different diurnal cycles of precipitation are consistent with radically different present and future climate characteristics. In projected future climate scenarios, divergence in the time of day and type of precipitation had very divergent impacts on the radiation balance and consequently on surface temperatures. The relationship between the diurnal cycle of precipitation and present and future climate was examined using the GISS-MM5 regional climate modeling system with two alternative moist convection schemes. June-August (JJA) mean surface temperatures of the 1990s, 2050s, and 2080s were simulated over the eastern US on a double nested 108/36-km domain, with the 36-km domain centered over the eastern United States. In the 1990s, one model version simulated maxima in (convective) precipitation during the early morning, while the second scheme simulated the hour of precipitation maxima with considerable spatial variability (in better agreement with observations). In the futuristic climate scenarios, differences in the time of day of precipitation had very important impacts on the radiation balance at the surface. One version gave more precipitation at night and fewer clouds during the day, promoting higher surface temperatures. The alternative alternative version created more precipitation during the day, consistent with diminished absorption of solar radiation at the surface and consequently lower surface temperatures. The results demonstrate the importance of improving cumulus parameterizations in regional mesoscale and global climate models and suggest that such improvements would lead to greater confidence in model projections of climate change.

Export citation: [ BibTeX ] [ RIS ]

BibTeX Citation

@article{ly07000g,
  author={Lynn, B. H. and Druyan, L. and Hogrefe, C. and Dudhia, J. and Rosenzweig, C. and Goldberg, R. and Rind, D. and Healy, R. and Kinney, P. and Rosenthal, J.},
  title={Sensitivity of present and future surface temperatures to precipitation characteristics},
  year={2004},
  journal={Climate Research},
  volume={28},
  pages={53--65},
}

[ Close ]

RIS Citation

TY  - JOUR
ID  - ly07000g
AU  - Lynn, B. H.
AU  - Druyan, L.
AU  - Hogrefe, C.
AU  - Dudhia, J.
AU  - Rosenzweig, C.
AU  - Goldberg, R.
AU  - Rind, D.
AU  - Healy, R.
AU  - Kinney, P.
AU  - Rosenthal, J.
PY  - 2004
TI  - Sensitivity of present and future surface temperatures to precipitation characteristics
JA  - Clim. Res.
JO  - Climate Research
VL  - 28
SP  - 53
EP  - 65
ER  -

[ Close ]

• Return to 2004 Publications

• Return to Publications Homepage