DynVar: Description
The goal of DynVar is to understand the two-way coupling between the stratospheric and tropospheric circulation, using comprehensive atmospheric general circulation models (AGCMs) as the principal tools of investigation (Kushner et al. 2007, 2009). Intercomparisons of AGCMs with a well resolved stratosphere ("high-top" models) with standard climate models ("low-top" models) are called for, to evaluate the degree to which the stratosphere can influence the troposphere's mean climate, climate variability, and response to climate change.
To pursue its goal, DynVar is expected to focus and facilitate research on the data sets that will be produced for assessment purposes, such as the high-top CMIP5 runs, and the stratospheric seasonal prediction hindcasts produced as part of WGSIP's Stratosphere Historical Forecast Project (SHFP) with high-top models.
DynVar includes "Analysis Areas" that represent broad themes under which various contributed research projects ("subprojects") will be placed. On this website, you can access information about the Analysis Areas and the Simulation Sets by following the links on the sidebar. If you wish to participate in the activity, please contact us.
DynVar has links with other ongoing projects, including SPARC CCMVal, SPARC SOLARIS, and CLIVAR C20C. To see a presentation from March 2007 on connections between DynVar and C20C, follow this link.
References
Kushner, P.J., et al., The SPARC DynVar Project: A SPARC Project on the Dynamics and Variability of the Coupled Stratosphere-Troposphere System, SPARC Newsletter 29, 9-14, 2007.
Kushner, P.J., et al., SPARC Dynamics and Variability Project (DynVar): Plans and Status, SPARC Newsletter 32, 13-16, 2009.