Evaluation of Tropical Cloud Simulations between CMIP6 Models and Satellite Observations CyberTraining: Big Data + High-Performance Computing + Atmospheric Sciences

Author/Creator ORCID

Date

2020

Department

Program

Citation of Original Publication

Denagamage, Achala W.; Ali, Sahara; Hannadigee, Neranga; Huang, Xin; Guo, Pei; Wang, Jianwu; Evaluation of Tropical Cloud Simulations between CMIP6 Models and Satellite Observations CyberTraining: Big Data + High-Performance Computing + Atmospheric Sciences (2020); http://hpcf-files.umbc.edu/research/papers/CT2020Team3.pdf

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Abstract

In this project, we look at the Global Climate Models (GCM) of CMIP6 (6th generation of Coupled Model Intercomparison Project). We analyze the cloud parameterizations of three CMIP6 models, namely, NASA-GISS-E2.1-G, NCAR-CESM2 and NOAA-GFDL-CM4, and compare the model outputs against observational data from two satellites, namely, GOCCPCALIPSO and CERES. A common issue related to cloud parameterization when studying earlier versions of GCMs is called “Too few too bright” problem, which is related to tropical low-level clouds. In this report, we compare the percentage low, medium and high level clouds and shortwave radiative flux in Earth’s tropical region. Our analysis suggests that the CMIP6-era models no longer have the ’too bright’ problem, however, the ’too few’ problem still prevails.