Studies of climate variability and predictability in the UK Universities Global Atmospheric Modelling Programme
Alan O'Neill,
Centre for Global Atmospheric Modelling, University of Reading, UK
In recent years the UK Universities Global Atmospheric Modelling Programme (UGAMP) has developed a major programme of research investigating the mechanisms and predictability of seasonal-to-decadal climate variability in the Atlantic Sector. The programme addresses especially the role of ocean-atmosphere interactions, and it involves extensive numerical experimentation with the UK National Climate Model.
Recent projects addressing seasonal timescale variability have focused on: the impact of ENSO on the Atlantic basin; on the importance of Atlantic sea surface temperature anomalies for the seasonal predictability of European climate; and on the competing influences on climate variability in the tropical Atlantic. Research on decadal variability has focused on the mechanisms responsible for variations in heat transport and heat content in the North Atlantic Ocean, and on the predictability of the North Atlantic Oscillation. The talk will present selected highlights from these recent UGAMP studies.
