The Canadian Earth System Model version 5 (CanESM5.0.3)

Type Article
Date 2019-11
Language English
Author(s) Swart Neil C.1, 3, Cole Jason N. S.1, Kharin Viatcheslav V.1, Lazare Mike1, Scinocca John F.1, Gillett Nathan P.1, Anstey JamesORCID1, Arora Vivek1, Christian James R.1, 2, Hanna Sarah1, Jiao Yanjun1, Lee Warren G.1, Majaess Fouad1, Saenko Oleg A.1, Seiler Christian4, Seinen Clint1, Shao Andrew3, Sigmond MichaelORCID1, Solheim Larry1, von Salzen Knut1, 3, Yang Duo1, Winter Barbara1
Affiliation(s) 1 : Environm & Climate Change Canada, Canadian Ctr Climate Modelling & Anal, Victoria, BC V8W 2P2, Canada.
2 : Fisheries & Oceans Canada, Inst Ocean Sci, Sidney, BC, Canada.
3 : Univ Victoria, 3800 Finnerty Rd, Victoria, BC V8P 5C2, Canada.
4 : Environm & Climate Change Canada, Climate Proc Sect, Victoria, BC V8P 5C2, Canada.
Source Geoscientific Model Development (1991-959X) (Copernicus Gesellschaft Mbh), 2019-11 , Vol. 12 , N. 11 , P. 4823-4873
DOI 10.5194/gmd-12-4823-2019
WOS© Times Cited 550
Abstract

The Canadian Earth System Model version 5 (CanESM5) is a global model developed to simulate historical climate change and variability, to make centennial-scale projections of future climate, and to produce initialized seasonal and decadal predictions. This paper describes the model components and their coupling, as well as various aspects of model development, including tuning, optimization, and a reproducibility strategy. We also document the stability of the model using a long control simulation, quantify the model's ability to reproduce large-scale features of the historical climate, and evaluate the response of the model to external forcing. CanESM5 is comprised of three-dimensional atmosphere (T63 spectral resolution equivalent roughly to 2.8 degrees) and ocean (nominally 1 degrees) general circulation models, a sea-ice model, a land surface scheme, and explicit land and ocean carbon cycle models. The model features relatively coarse resolution and high throughput, which facilitates the production of large ensembles. CanESM5 has a notably higher equilibrium climate sensitivity (5.6 K) than its predecessor, CanESM2 (3.7 K), which we briefly discuss, along with simulated changes over the historical period. CanESM5 simulations contribute to the Coupled Model Intercomparison Project phase 6 (CMIP6) and will be employed for climate science and service applications in Canada.

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Swart Neil C., Cole Jason N. S., Kharin Viatcheslav V., Lazare Mike, Scinocca John F., Gillett Nathan P., Anstey James, Arora Vivek, Christian James R., Hanna Sarah, Jiao Yanjun, Lee Warren G., Majaess Fouad, Saenko Oleg A., Seiler Christian, Seinen Clint, Shao Andrew, Sigmond Michael, Solheim Larry, von Salzen Knut, Yang Duo, Winter Barbara (2019). The Canadian Earth System Model version 5 (CanESM5.0.3). Geoscientific Model Development, 12(11), 4823-4873. Publisher's official version : https://doi.org/10.5194/gmd-12-4823-2019 , Open Access version : https://archimer.ifremer.fr/doc/00676/78801/