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136698 - Sensitivity of marine heatwave metrics to ocean model resolution.pdf (15.18 MB)

Sensitivity of marine heatwave metrics to ocean model resolution

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posted on 2023-05-20, 09:37 authored by Gabriela Semolini Pilo, Neil HolbrookNeil Holbrook, Kiss, AE, Hogg, AMcC

Sustained extreme temperature events in the ocean, referred to as marine heatwaves (MHWs), generate substantial ecological, social, and economic impacts. Ocean models provide insights to the drivers, persistence, and dissipation of MHWs. However, the sensitivity of MHW metrics to ocean model resolution is unknown. Here, we analyze global MHW metrics in three configurations of a global ocean‐sea ice model at coarse (1°), eddy‐permitting (0.25°), and eddy‐rich (0.1°) resolutions. We show that all configurations qualitatively represent broad‐scale global patterns of MHWs. These simulated MHWs are, however, weaker, longer‐lasting, and less frequent than in observations. The 0.1° configuration, despite local biases, performs best both globally and regionally. Based on these results, model projections of future MHW metrics using coarse‐resolution models are expected to be biased toward weaker and less frequent MHWs, when compared with results using an eddy‐rich model.

History

Publication title

Geophysical Research Letters

Volume

46

Issue

24

Pagination

14604-14612

ISSN

0094-8276

Department/School

Institute for Marine and Antarctic Studies

Publisher

Amer Geophysical Union

Place of publication

2000 Florida Ave Nw, Washington, USA, Dc, 20009

Rights statement

©2019. American Geophysical Union. All Rights Reserved.

Repository Status

  • Restricted

Socio-economic Objectives

Climate variability (excl. social impacts)

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