The Coupled Model Intercomparison Project (CMIP)

Abstract

The Coupled Model Intercomparison Project (CMIP) was established to study and intercompare climate simulations made with coupled ocean–atmosphere–cryosphere–land GCMs. There are two main phases (CMIP1 and CMIP2), which study, respectively, 1) the ability of models to simulate current climate, and 2) model simulations of climate change due to an idealized change in forcing (a 1% per year CO2 increase). Results from a number of CMIP projects were reported at the first CMIP Workshop held in Melbourne, Australia, in October 1998. Some recent advances in global coupled modeling related to CMIP were also reported. Presentations were based on preliminary unpublished results. Key outcomes from the workshop were that 1) many observed aspects of climate variability are simulated in global coupled models including the North Atlantic oscillation and its linkages to North Atlantic SSTs, El Niño–like events, and monsoon interannual variability; 2) the amplitude of both high– and low–frequency global mean surfa... Abstract The Coupled Model Intercomparison Project (CMIP) was established to study and intercompare climate simulations made with coupled ocean–atmosphere–cryosphere–land GCMs. There are two main phases (CMIP1 and CMIP2), which study, respectively, 1) the ability of models to simulate current climate, and 2) model simulations of climate change due to an idealized change in forcing (a 1% per year CO2 increase). Results from a number of CMIP projects were reported at the first CMIP Workshop held in Melbourne, Australia, in October 1998. Some recent advances in global coupled modeling related to CMIP were also reported. Presentations were based on preliminary unpublished results. Key outcomes from the workshop were that 1) many observed aspects of climate variability are simulated in global coupled models including the North Atlantic oscillation and its linkages to North Atlantic SSTs, El Niño–like events, and monsoon interannual variability; 2) the amplitude of both high– and low–frequency global mean surfa...