Publication Abstracts

Schiro et al. 2022

Schiro, K.A., H. Su, F. Ahmed, N. Dai, C.E. Singer, P. Gentine, G.S. Elsaesser, J.H. Jiang, Y.-S. Choi, and J. David Neelin, 2022: Model spread in tropical low cloud feedback tied to overturning circulation response to warming. Nat. Commun., 13, no. 1, 7119, doi:10.1038/s41467-022-34787-4.

Among models participating in the Coupled Model Intercomparison Project phase 6 (CMIP6), here we show that the magnitude of the tropical low cloud feedback, which contributes considerably to uncertainty in estimates of climate sensitivity, is intimately linked to tropical deep convection and its effects on the tropical atmospheric overturning circulation. First, a reduction in tropical ascent area and an increased frequency of heavy precipitation result in high cloud reduction and upper-tropospheric drying, which increases longwave cooling and reduces subsidence weakening, favoring low cloud reduction (Radiation-Subsidence Pathway). Second, increased longwave cooling decreases tropospheric stability, which also reduces subsidence weakening and low cloudiness (Stability-Subsidence Pathway). In summary, greater high cloud reduction and upper-tropospheric drying (negative longwave feedback) lead to a more positive cloud feedback among CMIP6 models by contributing to a greater reduction in low cloudiness (positive shortwave feedback). Varying strengths of the two pathways contribute considerably to the intermodel spread in climate sensitivity.

Export citation: [ BibTeX ] [ RIS ]

BibTeX Citation

@article{sc04800g,
  author={Schiro, K. A. and Su, H. and Ahmed, F. and Dai, N. and Singer, C. E. and Gentine, P. and Elsaesser, G. S. and Jiang, J. H. and Choi, Y.-S. and David Neelin, J.},
  title={Model spread in tropical low cloud feedback tied to overturning circulation response to warming},
  year={2022},
  journal={Nature Communication},
  volume={13},
  number={1},
  pages={7119},
  doi={10.1038/s41467-022-34787-4},
}

[ Close ]

RIS Citation

TY  - JOUR
ID  - sc04800g
AU  - Schiro, K. A.
AU  - Su, H.
AU  - Ahmed, F.
AU  - Dai, N.
AU  - Singer, C. E.
AU  - Gentine, P.
AU  - Elsaesser, G. S.
AU  - Jiang, J. H.
AU  - Choi, Y.-S.
AU  - David Neelin, J.
PY  - 2022
TI  - Model spread in tropical low cloud feedback tied to overturning circulation response to warming
JA  - Nat. Commun.
JO  - Nature Communication
VL  - 13
IS  - 1
SP  - 7119
DO  - 10.1038/s41467-022-34787-4
ER  -

[ Close ]

• Return to 2022 Publications

• Return to Publications Homepage