Understanding the 21st Century Projection of the Wet Season over the Southeastern United States

This study analyzes projections of summer precipitation over the Southeastern United States under the A2 climate scenario using the Community Climate System Model Version3 (CCSM3), and the Regional Spectral Model (RSM) forced with CCSM3 output. The CCSM3 projects a dipole in precipitation, while the...

Full description

Bibliographic Details
Other Authors: Selman, Christopher Manuel (authoraut), Misra, Vasubandhu (professor directing thesis), Bourassa, Mark (committee member), Stefanova, Lydia, 1972- (committee member), Wu, Zhaohua (committee member), Department of Earth, Ocean and Atmospheric Sciences (degree granting department), Florida State University (degree granting institution)
Format: Text
Language:English
Published: Florida State University
Subjects:
Earth sciences
Oceanography
Atmospheric sciences
Geophysics
Nash
North Atlantic
Online Access:http://purl.flvc.org/fsu/fd/FSU_migr_etd-5171
http://fsu.digital.flvc.org/islandora/object/fsu%3A183106/datastream/TN/view/Understanding%20the%2021st%20Century%20Projection%20of%20the%20Wet%20Season%20over%20the%20Southeastern%20United%20States.jpg
Description
Summary:This study analyzes projections of summer precipitation over the Southeastern United States under the A2 climate scenario using the Community Climate System Model Version3 (CCSM3), and the Regional Spectral Model (RSM) forced with CCSM3 output. The CCSM3 projects a dipole in precipitation, while the RSM projects a universal drying of the Southeast. The difference in patterns of projected rainfall is explained through the RSM's depiction of the diurnal variance of precipitation, which according to observations can account for up to 40% of total seasonal variance in precipitation. The CCSM3 pattern is attributed to an exaggeration of the "upped ante" mechanism, whereby the atmospheric boundary layer (ABL) moisture required for convection to occur increases in a warmed environment. Also contributing to the drying of both models is an expansion of the North Atlantic subtropical high (NASH). A Thesis submitted to the Department of Earth, Ocean, and Atmospheric Science in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Science. Summer Semester, 2012. April 3, 2012. Includes bibliographical references. Vasubandhu Misra, Professor Directing Thesis; Mark Bourassa, Committee Member; Lydia Stefanova, 1972-, Committee Member; Zhaohua Wu, Committee Member.

Similar Items