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Characteristics of atmospheric circulation patterns associated with extreme temperatures over North America in observations and climate models
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Loikith, Paul. Characteristics of atmospheric circulation patterns associated with extreme temperatures over North America in observations and climate models. Retrieved from https://doi.org/doi:10.7282/T34B3038

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TitleCharacteristics of atmospheric circulation patterns associated with extreme temperatures over North America in observations and climate models
NameLoikith, Paul (author); Broccoli, Anthony J (chair); Lintner, Benjamin R (internal member); Decker, Steven G (internal member); Lau, Ngar-Cheung (outside member); Rutgers University; Graduate School - New Brunswick
Date Created2012
Other Date2012-10 (degree)
SubjectAtmospheric Science, Atmospheric circulation--North America, Meteorology--Observations
Extentxvi, 113 p. : ill., maps
DescriptionMotivated by a desire to understand the physical mechanisms involved in future anthropogenic changes in extreme temperature events, the key atmospheric circulation patterns associated with extreme daily temperatures over North America in the current climate are identified. Several novel metrics are used to systematically identify and describe these patterns for the entire continent. The orientation, physical characteristics, and spatial scale of these circulation patterns vary based on latitude, season, and proximity to important geographic features (i.e., mountains, coastlines). The anomaly patterns associated with extreme cold events tend to be similar to, but opposite in sign of, those associated with extreme warm events, especially within the westerlies, and tend to scale with temperature in the same locations. The influence of the Pacific North American (PNA) pattern, the Northern Annular Mode (NAM), and the El Niño-Southern Oscillation (ENSO) on extreme temperature days and months shows that associations between extreme temperatures and the PNA and NAM are stronger than associations with ENSO. In general, the association with extremes tends to be stronger on monthly than daily time scales. Extreme temperatures are associated with the PNA and NAM in locations typically influenced by these circulation patterns; however many extremes still occur on days when the amplitude and polarity of these patterns do not favor their occurrence. In winter, synoptic-scale, transient weather disturbances are important drivers of extreme temperature days; however these smaller scale events are often concurrent with amplified PNA or NAM patterns. Associations are weaker in summer when other physical mechanisms affecting the surface energy balance, such as anomalous soil moisture content, are associated with extreme temperatures. Analysis of historical runs from seventeen climate models from the CMIP5 database suggests that most models simulate realistic circulation patterns associated with extreme temperature days in most places. Model-simulated patterns tend to resemble observed patterns better in the winter than the summer and at 500 hPa than at the surface. There is substantial variability among the suite of models analyzed and most models simulate circulation patterns more realistically away from influential features such as large bodies of water and complex topography.
NotePh.D.
NoteIncludes bibliographical references
Noteby Paul C. Loikith
Genretheses, ETD doctoral
Persistent URLhttps://doi.org/doi:10.7282/T34B3038
Languageeng
CollectionGraduate School - New Brunswick Electronic Theses and Dissertations
Organization NameRutgers, The State University of New Jersey
RightsThe author owns the copyright to this work.
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