Description
The goal of DynVar is to assess the impact of the two-way dynamical coupling between the stratosphere and the troposphere on surface climate, by using comprehensive atmospheric general circulation models (AGCMs) coupled to ocean general circulation models (OGCMs) as the principal tools of investigation. The use of simplified models and more theoretical approaches to build the understanding of the stratosphere-troposphere coupling is aslo an important component of DynVar. The funding ideas of DynVar are described in two SPARC Newsletters: Kushner et al. 2007 and Kushner et al. 2009.
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 World Climate Research Programme's (WCRP) Coupled Model Intercomparison Project Phase 5 (CMIP5), and the stratospheric seasonal prediction hindcasts produced as part of WGSIP's Stratosphere Historical Forecast Project (SHFP) with high-top models, as well as the CCMVal2 runs. To this end, DynVar Research Groups have being established, on a number of topics raised at the DynVar Workshop 2. A summary of the DynVar Workshp 2 outcomes is reported in Manzini et al. 2011.
DynVar has links with other ongoing projects, including the Gravity Waves, CCMVal and SOLARIS activities of SPARC, and the SHFP of CLIVAR.
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.
Manzini, E., et al., Report on the SPARC DynVar Workshop 2 on Modelling the Dynamics and Variability of the Stratosphere-Troposphere System, SPARC Newsletter 36, 19-22, 2011.