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Trends in Tropical Water Vapor (1980-2004): Satellite and GCM Comparison

Trends in Tropical Water Vapor (1980-2004): Satellite and GCM Comparison. Satellite Observed ---- Model Simulated. __. Total column water vapor over tropical oceans has increased over the past 20 years

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Trends in Tropical Water Vapor (1980-2004): Satellite and GCM Comparison

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  1. Trends in Tropical Water Vapor (1980-2004): Satellite and GCM Comparison Satellite Observed ---- Model Simulated __ Total column water vapor over tropical oceans has increased over the past 20 years Models accurately reproduce the observed variability and moistening of the tropical atmosphere. Held and Soden 2006: Robust Responses of the hydrological cycle to global warming, J Climate, 19, 3354-3360.

  2. Impact of Convectively Detrained Cloud Ice On Upper Tropospheric Water Vapor GCM Simulations (IPCC AR4) Satellite Observations (AIRS/MLS) Spatial distribution of upper tropospheric water vapor is strongly correlated with amount of cloud ice Models capture observed correlation between cirrus ice and upper tropospheric water vapor. Water vapor feedback is insensitive to strength of relationship between cloud ice and water vapor John and Soden, 2006: Does convectively-detrained cloud ice enhance water vapor feedback?, Geophys. Res Lett., 33, L20701.

  3. A Comparison of AIRS Water Vapor Retrievals with GCM Simulations Zonal Annual Mean Bias in Relative Humidity Compared to AIRS Retrievals ECMWF/NCEP Reanalyses IPCC AR4 GCMs Both IPCC AR4 GCMs and NCEP/ECMWF reanalyses produce a more humid troposphere than indicated by AIRS retrievals. John and Soden, 2007: Temperature and humidity biases in IPCC AR4 models, in preparation.

  4. Weakening of the Walker Circulation due to Anthropogenically-Forced Changes in the Hydrological Cycle Observed Model Simulated Change in Sea Level Pressure (1861-1992) Climate models predict a weakening of the Walker circulation in response to hydrological cycle changes in a warmer climate. Observations from 20th Century reveal changes in SLP consistent with model projected weakening of Walker Cell. Vecchi et al. 2006: Weakening of the tropical Pacific atmospheric circulation ... Nature, 441, 73-76.

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