The development of atmospheric general circulation models : complexity, synthesis, and computation / edited by Leo Donner, Wayne Schubert, Richard Somerville.

"Presenting a comprehensive discussion of general circulation models of the atmosphere, this book covers their historical and contemporary development, their societal context, and current efforts to integrate these models into wider earth-system models. Leading researchers provide unique perspectives on the scientific breakthroughs, overarching themes, critical applications, and future prospects for atmospheric general circulation models. Key interdisciplinary links to other subject areas such as chemistry, oceanography and ecology are also highlighted. This book is a core reference for academic researchers and professionals involved in atmospheric physics, meteorology and climate science, and can be used as a resource for graduate-level courses in climate modeling and numerical weather prediction. Given the critical role that atmospheric general circulation models are playing in the intense public discourse on climate change, it is also a valuable resource for policy makers and all those concerned with the scientific basis for the ongoing public-policy debate"-- Provided by publisher.

Includes bibliographical references and index.

"The aim of this volume is to describe the development of atmospheric general circulation models. We are motivated to do so by the central and essential role of these models in understanding, simulating, and predicting the atmosphere on a wide range of time scales. While atmospheric general circulation models are an important basis for many societal decisions, from responses to changing weather to deliberations on responding to anthropogenic climate change, the scientific basis for these models, and how they have come about and continue to develop, are not widely known. Our objective in editing this volume is to provide a perspective on these matters"-- Provided by publisher.

Foreword Isaac Held -- 1. Introduction Leo Donner, Wayne Schubert and Richard Somerville -- 2. From Richardson to early numerical weather prediction Peter Lynch -- 3. The evolution and future research goals for general circulation models Warren Washington and Akira Kasahara -- 4. Beyond prediction to climate modeling and climate control: new perspectives from the papers of Harry Wexler, 1945-1962 James Fleming -- 5. Synergies between numerical weather prediction and general circulation climate models Catherine A. Senior, A. Arribas, A. R. Brown, M. Cullen, T. C. Johns, G. M. Martin, S. F. Milton, D. M. Smith, K. D. Williams and S. Webster -- 6. Contributions of observational studies to the evaluation and diagnosis of atmospheric GCM simulations Ngar-Cheung Lau -- 7. Coupling atmospheric general circulation to oceans Kirk Bryan -- 8. Coupling atmospheric circulation models to bio-physical, bio-chemical, and biological processes at the land surface Robert E. Dickinson -- 9. The evolution of complexity in general circulation models Dave Randall -- 10. The co-evolution of climate models and the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change Richard Somerville -- Index.