Multi-scale climate modelling over Southern Africa using a variable-resolution global model
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Date
Authors
Engelbrecht, Christina Johanna
Landman, Willem Adolf
Engelbrecht, Francois Alwyn
Landman, Stephanie
Bopape, Mary-Jane Morongwa
Roux, Belinda
McGregor, J.L.
Thatcher, M.
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Water Research Council
Abstract
Evidence is provided of the successful application of a single atmospheric model code at time scales ranging from short-range weather forecasting through to projections of future climate change, and at spatial scales that vary from relatively low-resolution global simulations, to ultra-high resolution simulations at the micro-scale. The model used for these experiments is a variable-resolution global atmospheric model, the conformal-cubic atmospheric model (CCAM). It is shown that CCAM may be used to obtain plausible projections of future climate change, as well as skilful forecasts at the seasonal and short-range time scales, over the Southern African region. The model is additionally applied for extended simulations of present-day climate at spatial scales ranging from global simulations at relatively low horizontal resolution, to the micro-scale at ultra-high (1 km) resolution. Applying the atmospheric model at the shorter time scales provides the opportunity to test its physical parameterisation schemes and its response to fundamental forcing mechanisms (e.g. ENSO). The existing skill levels at the shorter time scales enhance the confidence in the model projections of future climate change, whilst the related verification studies indicate opportunities for future model improvement.
Description
This paper was originally presented at the Water Research Commission 40-Year Celebration Conference, Kempton Park, 31 August - 1 September 2011.
Keywords
Variable-resolution atmospheric model
Sustainable Development Goals
Citation
Engelbrecht, FA, Landman, WA, Engelbrecht, CJ, Landman, S, Bopape, MM, Roux, B, McGregor, JL & Thatcher, M 2011, 'Multi-scale climate modelling over Southern Africa using a variable-resolution global model', Water SA, vol. 37, no. 5, pp. 647-658.