Editorial Type:
Article
Article Type:
Research Article

The NCAR Climate System Model Global Ocean Component

Peter R. Gent National Center for Atmospheric Research, Boulder, Colorado

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Frank O. Bryan National Center for Atmospheric Research, Boulder, Colorado

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Gokhan Danabasoglu National Center for Atmospheric Research, Boulder, Colorado

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Scott C. Doney National Center for Atmospheric Research, Boulder, Colorado

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William R. Holland National Center for Atmospheric Research, Boulder, Colorado

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William G. Large National Center for Atmospheric Research, Boulder, Colorado

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James C. McWilliams National Center for Atmospheric Research, Boulder, Colorado

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Print Publication:
01 Jun 1998
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.1175/1520-0442(1998)011<1287:TNCSMG>2.0.CO;2
Page(s):
1287–1306
Restricted access

Abstract

This paper describes the global ocean component of the NCAR Climate System Model. New parameterizations of the effects of mesoscale eddies and of the upper-ocean boundary layer are included. Numerical improvements include a third-order upwind advection scheme and elimination of the artificial North Pole island in the original MOM 1.1 code. Updated forcing fields are used to drive the ocean-alone solution, which is integrated long enough so that it is in equilibrium. The ocean transports and potential temperature and salinity distributions are compared with observations. The solution sensitivity to the freshwater forcing distribution is highlighted, and the sensitivity to resolution is also briefly discussed.

Corresponding author address: Dr. Peter R. Gent, NCAR/CGD, P.O. Box 3000, Boulder, CO 80307-3000.

Abstract

This paper describes the global ocean component of the NCAR Climate System Model. New parameterizations of the effects of mesoscale eddies and of the upper-ocean boundary layer are included. Numerical improvements include a third-order upwind advection scheme and elimination of the artificial North Pole island in the original MOM 1.1 code. Updated forcing fields are used to drive the ocean-alone solution, which is integrated long enough so that it is in equilibrium. The ocean transports and potential temperature and salinity distributions are compared with observations. The solution sensitivity to the freshwater forcing distribution is highlighted, and the sensitivity to resolution is also briefly discussed.

Corresponding author address: Dr. Peter R. Gent, NCAR/CGD, P.O. Box 3000, Boulder, CO 80307-3000.

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