Impact of revised and potential future albedo estimates on CCSM3 simulations of growing-season surface temperature fields for North America

Warren E. E. Heilman; David Hollinger; Xiuping Li; Xindi Bain; Shiyuan Zhong

doi:10.1002/as.301

Treesearch

Impact of revised and potential future albedo estimates on CCSM3 simulations of growing-season surface temperature fields for North America

Formally Refereed

Authors:

Warren E. E. Heilman, David Hollinger, Xiuping Li, Xindi Bain, Shiyuan Zhong

Year:

2010

Type:

Scientific Journal

Station:

Northern Research Station

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.1002/as.301

Source:

Atmospheric Science Letters. DOI:10.1002/as.301.

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Abstract

Recently published albedo research has resulted in improved growing-season albedo estimates for forest and grassland vegetation. The impact of these improved estimates on the ability of climate models to simulate growing-season surface temperature patterns is unknown. We have developed a set of current-climate surface temperature scenarios for North America using the Community Climate System Model - Version 3 (CCSM3). Simulation results suggest that modifications to the default CCSM3 radiative parameters that are consistent with more recent accurate measurements of albedo values for grasslands and needle-leaf deciduous trees (NDTs) can reduce the overall growing-season surface temperature bias over North America in CCSM3 simulations.

Keywords

albedo, CCSM3 simulations, surface temperatures, North America

Citation

Heilman, Warren E.; Hollinger, David Y.; Li, Xiuping; Bain, Xindi; Zhong, Shiyuan. 2010. Impact of revised and potential future albedo estimates on CCSM3 simulations of growing-season surface temperature fields for North America. Atmospheric Science Letters. DOI:10.1002/as.301.