Post-CMIP5 Model Improvements in Clouds and Water Vapor

Abstract:

Evaluations of CMIP5 Climate Model simulations using satellite measurements showed large spread in modeled clouds and water vapor fields, especially in the
upper troposphere. Since then, substantial efforts have been undertaken
by modeling groups to improve model performances. Collaborating closely
with the modeling teams, we have documented incremental changes of
post-CMIP5 model simulated clouds and water vapor and diagnosed their
error sources. We focus on model improvements in both clouds and water
vapor in the upper troposphere, changes in simulated diurnal cycles of
ice clouds and water vapor transport from the upper troposphere to the
lower stratosphere. Satellite observational uncertainties and sampling
biases are taken into account in quantifying the model-observation
differences.