Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jun 27, 2026
13:27
Exploring the Effects of Atmospheric Forcings on Evaporation: Experimental Integration of the Atmospheric Boundary Layer and Shallow Subsurface
Published on: June 8, 2015
Land surface anomaly simulations and predictions with a climate model: an El Niño Southern Oscillation case study
Debbie Putt1, Keith Haines, Robert Gurney
1Environmental Systems Science Centre, University of Reading, 3 Earley Gate, Whiteknights, Reading RG6 6AL, UK. djp@mail.nerc-essc.ac.uk
Summary
Climate models can predict land surface changes like soil moisture and snow. These findings suggest land surface data can be initialized for climate predictions and hydrological uses.
Area of Science:
- Climate modeling
- Land surface hydrology
- Atmospheric science
Background:
- Accurate climate model reproduction of land surface anomalies is crucial but understudied.
- Understanding land surface predictability aids climate prediction and hydrological applications.
Purpose of the Study:
- To assess the HadCM3 climate model's ability to reproduce and predict snow water equivalent and soil moisture.
- To evaluate predictability at 1- and 4-month lead times during the 1997-1998 El Niño Southern Oscillation event.
Main Methods:
- Utilized an atmosphere and ocean assimilation scheme.
- Focused on analyzing snow water equivalent and soil moisture data.
- Employed the HadCM3 climate model for simulations.
Main Results:
- Soil moisture anomalies were reproduced more successfully than snow water equivalent.
- Both snow and soil moisture exhibited some degree of predictability at 1- and 4-month lead times.
- The 1997-1998 El Niño Southern Oscillation event was used as a case study.
Conclusions:
- Land surface anomalies demonstrate reasonable predictability using climate models.
- Atmospheric assimilation methods can effectively initialize land surface conditions for climate predictions.
- Findings support the use of these methods for hydrological applications.
Related Concept Videos
01:12Precipitation Processes
The experimental conditions in a gravimetric analysis should be optimized to maximize the particle size and purity of the obtained precipitate. Ideally, the concentration of the precipitating reagent should be low with effective stirring to maintain low relative supersaturation for the growth of large crystals. In homogeneous precipitation, the precipitant is slowly generated by a chemical reaction in the solution to avoid local reagent excesses. For example, urea decomposes gradually to...
01:50Global Climate Change
Throughout its ~4.5 billion year history, the Earth has experienced periods of warming and cooling. However, the current drastic increase in global temperatures is well outside of the Earth’s cyclic norms, and evidence for human-caused global climate change is compelling. Paleoclimatology, the study of ancient climate conditions, provides ample evidence for human-caused global climate change by comparing recent conditions with those in the past.
01:16What is Climate?
Climate refers to the prevailing weather conditions in a specific area over an extended period. As the saying goes, “Climate is what you expect. Weather is what you get.” Climate is influenced by geographic factors, such as latitude, terrain, and proximity to bodies of water.
01:27Microbes and Climate Change
Microorganisms are pivotal agents in Earth's biogeochemical cycles, significantly influencing climate dynamics through their metabolic activities. These microbes modulate the levels of key greenhouse gases by both contributing to and helping mitigate climate change.Microbial Contributions to Greenhouse Gas EmissionsRising global temperatures accelerate microbial metabolism, which, in turn, speeds up the decomposition of organic matter. This process releases carbon dioxide (CO₂) through...
01:17Precipitation and Co-precipitation
Precipitation and coprecipitation methods can be used to separate a mixture of ions in a solution. In qualitative inorganic analysis, ions that form sparingly soluble precipitates with the same reagent are separated based on the differences in solubility products. For example, consider the separation of Cu(II) and Fe(II) ions by precipitation as insoluble sulfides. First, copper(II) sulfide is precipitated by the addition of acidic H2S, where the dissociation of H2S is suppressed. Adding H2S...
01:03Precipitation Gravimetry
Precipitation gravimetry is based on converting an analyte into a sparingly soluble precipitate, which is separated by filtration and weighed. An ideal precipitate should be pure, insoluble, of known composition, and easily filtered from the reaction mixture.
In determining nickel by gravimetric analysis, a precipitant of ethanolic dimethylglyoxime is added to a hot nickel salt solution. This is quickly followed by the dropwise addition of dilute ammonia solution until precipitation occurs. A...
In determining nickel by gravimetric analysis, a precipitant of ethanolic dimethylglyoxime is added to a hot nickel salt solution. This is quickly followed by the dropwise addition of dilute ammonia solution until precipitation occurs. A...