climate model
Atmospheric forecasting tool
A climate model is a computer simulation that represents Earth's climate system—atmosphere, oceans, land surfaces, and ice—to understand how they interact and predict future conditions.
Climate models range from simple calculations to enormously complex programs requiring supercomputers.
Scientists use them to project temperature changes, sea level rise, and other effects of greenhouse gas emissions: The climate model predicts a three-degree increase by 2100.
Rising planetary temperatures
- greenhouse gasesEmissions that trap heat
- carbon dioxideRespiration byproduct, photosynthesis fuel
- methaneSimplest alkane fuel
- emissionsSubstances released into air
sea level rise · temperature rise · anthropogenic · mitigation · adaptation · Paris Agreement · IPCC · net zero
Ultra-powerful computing system
- algorithmFinite problem-solving procedure
- numericalRelating to figures
- gridFramework of intersecting lines
- iterationRepeated procedural pass
integration · initial conditions · boundary conditions · coupled · ensemble · run · simulation · projection
Gaseous layer around planets
- oceanMassive saltwater body
- cryosphereEarth's frozen water systems
- biosphereAll life on Earth
- hydrospherePlanet's total water mass
carbon cycle · water cycle · energy balance · albedo · greenhouse effect · solar radiation · convection · advection
Estimating future conditions
- projectionSomething that extends outward
- scenarioPostulated event sequence
- trendDirection of change
- uncertaintyState of being unsure
ensemble · probabilistic · decadal · centennial · tipping point · feedback loop · confidence interval · baseline
Attentive watching or remark
- satelliteOrbiting celestial body
- reanalysisStudying something again
- interpolationEstimating between known values
- anomalyDeparture from the expected
time series · output · variable · temperature record · ice core · tree ring · assimilation
global warming
Rising planetary temperatures
- greenhouse gasesEmissions that trap heat
- carbon dioxideRespiration byproduct, photosynthesis fuel
- methaneSimplest alkane fuel
emissions · sea level rise · temperature rise · anthropogenic · mitigation · adaptation · Paris Agreement · IPCC · net zero · carbon budget
supercomputer
Ultra-powerful computing system
- algorithmFinite problem-solving procedure
- numericalRelating to figures
- gridFramework of intersecting lines
iteration · integration · initial conditions · boundary conditions · coupled · ensemble · run · simulation · projection · scenario
atmosphere
Gaseous layer around planets
- oceanMassive saltwater body
- cryosphereEarth's frozen water systems
- biosphereAll life on Earth
hydrosphere · carbon cycle · water cycle · energy balance · albedo · greenhouse effect · solar radiation · convection · advection · aerosols
forecasting
Estimating future conditions
- projectionSomething that extends outward
- scenarioPostulated event sequence
- trendDirection of change
uncertainty · ensemble · probabilistic · decadal · centennial · tipping point · feedback loop · confidence interval · baseline
observation
Attentive watching or remark
- satelliteOrbiting celestial body
- reanalysisStudying something again
- interpolationEstimating between known values
anomaly · time series · output · variable · temperature record · ice core · tree ring · assimilation
- climateweather, global warming, temperature, greenhouse effect, greenhouse gas
- modelssupermodel, spokesmodel, cover girl, mannequin, neural net
- Predictionprediction, forecasting, estimation, extrapolation, prognosis
- environmental dataair quality index, carbon dioxide level, ozone level, weather data, temperature rise
- Prediction Toolsweather radar, barometer, thermometer, satellite, weather vane
- weather simulationsstorm tracker, cloud formation
climate modelweather observation
Tracking atmospheric conditions
empirical data · direct observation · ground truth · raw data
climate modelrule of thumb
Practical approximation, not strict
climate modelweather station
Atmospheric conditions measurement facility
model, climate, models, modeling, remodeling, modeled, modelling, remodeled, climates