Diagnosis of ENSO Variability in Coupled CAM/HYCOM Model

CAM/HYCOM differs from CCSM3 only in the ocean model used. The hybrid isopycnal-sigma-pressure coordinate ocean model Hybrid Coordinate Ocean Model (HYCOM) replaces the ocean model Parallel Ocean Program (POP) in this coupled system. Thus, the two coupled climate models are comparable in their atmospheric data.

Model output from a 100-year model run of both models (CCSM3 and CAM/HYCOM) is compared for duration, intensity, and global impacts of ENSO in each. The results will also include detailed budget studies of the SST anomalies over equatorial Pacific from both model integrations and from an ocean data assimilation product.