Future Evolution of an Eddy Rich Ocean Associated with Enhanced East Atlantic Storminess in a Coupled Model Projection. Issue 7 (1st April 2021)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Grist, Jeremy P.; Josey, Simon A.; Sinha, Bablu; Catto, Jennifer L.; Roberts, Malcolm J.; Coward, Andrew C.
• Is Part Of: Geophysical research letters. Volume 48:Issue 7(2021)
• Page Start: n/a
• Page End: n/a
• Publication Date: 2021-04-01
• Subjects: air‐sea interaction -- climate models -- Gulf Stream -- mid‐latitude storms -- North Atlantic Ocean -- sub‐polar gyre; Geophysics -- Periodicals; Planets -- Periodicals; Lunar geology -- Periodicals; 550
• DOI: 10.1029/2021GL092719
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0094-8276

Abstract

Abstract: Improved representation of air‐sea fluxes afforded by eddy‐rich oceans in high‐resolution coupled ocean‐atmosphere models may modify the tracks and intensity of storms and their response to climate change. We examine changes in winter surface ocean conditions and storminess associated with moving from an eddy‐permitting (1/4°, HM) to an eddy‐rich (1/12°, HH) ocean in control and climate change (SSP585) simulations of the HadGEM3‐GC3.1 model in which atmosphere resolution is kept at 25 km. Differences in North Atlantic climate in the control runs stem from a revised location of the Gulf Stream in the eddy‐rich model. Projections reveal greater warming in the western Atlantic in HH than HM and a pronounced increase in eastern Atlantic storminess with changes six times greater than in the eddy‐permitting model. This increase is associated with the distinctive long‐term evolution of the North Atlantic warming hole and the Gulf Stream separation in the eddy‐rich model. Key Points: Increased ocean resolution affects North Atlantic winter climate by modifying the location of Gulf Stream Future projection of eddy‐rich model shows a decrease in the Gulf Stream separation from the coast and a stronger warming hole Eddy‐rich model projects a more pronounced change in east Atlantic storminess and precipitation than eddy‐permitting model