The proposed work will investigate climate variability and sensitivity mechanisms on intraseasonal to interannual time scales. The natural low-frequency variability generated within the atmosphere and its interaction with the oceanic mixed layer will be studied using observations as well as a hierarchy of models. The tropical intraseasonal oscillation and its interaction with midlatitude weather anomalies will also be investigated. Dynamic and thermodynamic mechanisms for setting the long time scale of the tropical intraseasonal oscillation will be tested using variations on the NCAR CCM3 GCM; these will be compared to the observational analysis. Interactions between clouds, radiation, SST and atmospheric circulation and the effect on tropical climate will also be investigated using a hierarchy of models. The work is important since an improved understanding of dynamics of the climate system in the middle latitudes and tropics has benefits both from a theoretical as well as practical point of view.

Agency
National Science Foundation (NSF)
Institute
Division of Atmospheric and Geospace Sciences (AGS)
Application #
9873691
Program Officer
Jay S. Fein
Project Start
Project End
Budget Start
1999-04-01
Budget End
2004-09-30
Support Year
Fiscal Year
1998
Total Cost
$1,185,376
Indirect Cost
Name
University of Washington
Department
Type
DUNS #
City
Seattle
State
WA
Country
United States
Zip Code
98195