DynVar Top
DynVar Top addresses the influence of the stratosphere on the tropospheric circulation, on the ocean circulation via air-sea interactions, and on the cryosphere (in particular the sea ice field). Subprojects in this theme will compare high-top and low-top climate models run with a variety of degrees of interaction with the ocean, from prescribed sea-surface temperature models to models with a dynamical ocean component.
DynVar Top subprojects that have been proposed to date include an analysis of the influence of enhanced stratospheric representation on the mean circulation, ENSO teleconnections, and low-frequency variability in the troposphere; a study of stratospheric influences on the stationary wave field; a study on the role of planetary wave reflection in determining tropospheric wave structure; and a study on the importance of momentum-conservation constraints in gravity wave drag parameterizations on the coupled stratosphere-troposphere system.