Impact of rising greenhouse gases on mid-latitude storm tracks and associated hydroclimate variability and change

Lead PI: Dr. Richard Seager

Unit Affiliation: Ocean and Climate Physics, Lamont-Doherty Earth Observatory (LDEO)

September 2010 - September 2014
Inactive
Global
Project Type: Research

DESCRIPTION: Using a modeling methodology with an atmospheric general circulation model coupled to a simple ocean model and a doubled CO2 content, the team modeled the impact of rising CO2 concentrations on the jet stream.

OUTCOMES: Demonstrated that the poleward shift of the jet stream is driven by changes in transient eddy momentum flux convergence. Also the team showed that the change in the index of refraction by the lower stratospheric westerlies causes a shift in eddy momentum flux convergence that causes a change in the mean flow which further changes the refractive index.

SPONSOR:

Department of Energy

FUNDED AMOUNT:

$540,000

RESEARCH TEAM:

Mingfang Ting, Mark Cane, Naomi Naik, Yochanan Kushnir

KEYWORDS

ocean and climate physics global climate models ocean model jet stream atmosphere general circulation model carbon dioxide

THEMES

Modeling and Adapting to Future Climate