Why Does the Ensemble Mean of CMIP6 Models Simulate Arctic Temperature More Accurately Than Global Temperature?

An accurate simulation and projection of future warming are needed for a proper policy response to expected climate change. We examine the simulations of the mean global and Arctic surface air temperatures by the CMIP6 (Climate Models Intercomparison Project phase 6) climate models. Most models over...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Atmosphere
Main Authors: Chylek, Petr, Folland, Chris K., Klett, James D., Wang, Muyin, Lesins, Glen, Dubey, Manvendra K.
Format: Article in Journal/Newspaper
Language:unknown
Published: MDPI AG 2024
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Online Access:https://research.usq.edu.au/item/z8493/why-does-the-ensemble-mean-of-cmip6-models-simulate-arctic-temperature-more-accurately-than-global-temperature
https://research.usq.edu.au/download/19638916a786878b6480ebb7115d7eb40c536255b88d815d61b5407cad0f319a/1219004/atmosphere-15-00567-v2.pdf
https://doi.org/10.3390/atmos15050567
Description
Summary:An accurate simulation and projection of future warming are needed for a proper policy response to expected climate change. We examine the simulations of the mean global and Arctic surface air temperatures by the CMIP6 (Climate Models Intercomparison Project phase 6) climate models. Most models overestimate the observed mean global warming. Only seven out of 19 models considered simulate global warming that is within ±15% of the observed warming between the average of the 2014–2023 and 1961–1990 reference period. Ten models overestimate global warming by more than 15% and only one of the models underestimates it by more than 15%. Arctic warming is simulated by the CMIP6 climate models much better than the mean global warming. The reason is an equal spread of over and underestimates of Arctic warming by the models, while most of the models overestimate the mean global warming. Eight models are within ±15% of the observed Arctic warming. Only three models are accurate within ±15% for both mean global and Arctic temperature simulations. © 2024 by the authors.