Tropical Precipitation Woes in the Community Earth System Model Version 2

Abstract

The newly developed paleo-climate calibrated Community Earth System Model, version 2 (pCESM2) simulates a more realistic global temperature response to external forcing compared to the standard CESM2. Here we show that the code modifications in pCESM2 result in increased atmospheric convection and a northward shift of the Atlantic and eastern Pacific Intertropical Convergence Zones. These changes are exacerbated under Last Glacial Maximum forcing, resulting in tropical precipitation changes that are inconsistent with both proxy data evidence and simulations with other contemporary models. Similar model-data disagreements are also present in the standard CESM2. Thus, more work is needed to improve the simulated Last Glacial Maximum hydroclimate response in CESM2. We further suggest that well-constrained paleo climates should be given a larger emphasis in model development more broadly, as these climates can help identify issues with model parameterizations under altered forcing and thus improve the fidelity of simulations of past, present, and future climates. © 2023. The Authors.