Advancing CMIP Knowledge for the Great Lakes Region
Project Summary
The purpose of this study is to evaluate the capability of high-resolution global climate models (GCMs) to simulate lake–atmosphere interactions and lake-effect snowfall in the Great Lakes region, given the critical influence of the lakes on regional climate and vast societal and environmental impacts of lake-effect snowfall.
PROJECT ACCOMPLISHMENTS
- We assessed the representation of lake-atmosphere interactions and lake-effect snowfall in the Laurentian Great Lakes Basin among 23 GCMs from the High-Resolution Model Intercomparison Project (HighResMIP) within the Coupled Model Intercomparison Project Phase 6 (CMIP6).
RESEARCH FINDINGS
- It is determined that the models inadequately represent lake temperatures and ice cover, often leading to insufficient annual snowfall in the lake-effect zones. More advanced, three-dimensional lake models need to be coupled to climate models to support greater credibility in regional lake and climate simulations and future climate projections.
GLISA CONTRIBUTION
- GLISA is leading this project.
Project Partners
GLISA Contact
Michael Notaro, Principal Investigator, [email protected]