Geoscience Reference
In-Depth Information
are the energy balance model (EBM) and the radia-
tive convective model (RCM). The EBM assumes a
global radiation balance and describes the integrated
north-south transports of energy in terms of the
poleward temperature gradients; EBMs can be one-
dimensional (latitude variations only), two-dimensional
(latitude-longitude, with simple land-ocean weightings
or simplified geography) and even zero-dimensional
(averaged for the globe). They are used particularly
in climate change studies. The RCMs can represent a
single, globally averaged vertical column. The vertical
temperature structure is analysed in terms of radiative
and convective exchanges. These less complete models
complement the GCMs because, for example, the RCM
allows study of complex cloud-radiation interactions
or the effect of atmospheric composition on lapse rates
in the absence of many complicating circulation effects.
Simpler models are also important for simulating
palaeoclimate as these models can represent thousands
or even millions of years of climate history.
A
B
Figure 8.5
Synoptic reports from (A) Surface land stations and ships available; and (B) Upper-air sounding stations over the Global
Telecommunications System at the National Meteorological Center, Washington, DC.
Source
: From Barry and Carleton (2001).
