Introduction to Three-Dimensional Climate Modeling

WARREN M. WASHINGTON is a Senior Scientist and Head of the Climate Change Research Section in the Climate and Global Dynamics Division at the National Center for Atmospheric Research (NCAR). CLAIRE PARKINSON is a NASA scientist at the Goddard Space Flight Center, USA.

Warren M. Washington is consultant and advisor to a number of government officials and committees on climate-system modelling. Now along with Claire Parkinson (NASA) he gives the reader insight into the complex field of climate modelling. Updated and revised from the first edition, this book is a welcome reference on climate modeling; an area that is becoming more and more sought after in light of environmental changes. Suitable for those wanting an in-road into understanding climate modeling but also an excellent companion for those with some prior knowledge of modeling meteorological systems.

Updated from first edition to take into account advances in technology and modelling techniques

PART I: Introduction and Historical Development .- PART II: Physical Description of the Climate System .- PART III: Basic Model Equations .- PART IV: Basic Methods of Solving Model Equations .- PART V: Examples of Simulations of Present-Day Climate .- PART VI: Climate Sensitivity Experiments .- PART VII: Outlook for Future Developments.- APPENDIX A: Vector Calculus .- APPENDIX B: Legendre Polynomials and Gaussian Quadrature .- APPENDIX C: Derivation of Energy Equations .- APPENDIX D: Unit Abbreviations .- APPENDIX E: Physical Constants in Systeme International (SI) Units, and Typical Surface Albedos .- APPENDIX F: Conversions and Prefixes .- APPENDIX G: Greek Alphabet .- APPENDIX H: Acronyms .- APPENDIX I: Aerosols .- APPENDIX J: Solar Radiation, Including Effects of Aerosols .- APPENDIX K: Internet Sites for Climate Modeling and Climate Data .- APPENDIX L: Computer Architectures Used in Climate Modeling: .- Definition of Terms .- Bibliography .- Index.