Coupled Ocean‐Atmosphere Modeling Over the Maritime Continent: A Review

Title :

Coupled Ocean‐Atmosphere Modeling Over the Maritime Continent: A Review

Publication Type :
Journal Article
Year of Publication :
2020
Authors :
Xue, P., Mallonotte-Rizzoli, P., Wei, J. & Eltahir, E.A.B.
Journal :
JGR: Oceans
Date Published :
May 12, 2020
Abstract :

The Maritime Continent (MC) plays a vitally important role in the Earth’s climate system from both oceanic and atmospheric perspectives. While the critical role of ocean‐atmosphere coupled dynamics over the MC has long been recognized, development of two‐way coupled regional climate models for thisregion is still in its early stages. In this work, the authors review recent progress in two‐way couplednocean‐atmosphere regional climate modeling. Development of coupled models and their applications in the MC are summarized. Model performances are discussed with a focus on regional oceanic and atmospheric characteristics. Through a critical review of modeling advances and limitations in simulating sea surface temperature, precipitation, and oceanic throughflows, the authors identify deficiencies of current models and discuss possible reasons. The review shows that model biases mainly stem from unresolved physical processes, inadequate model representations of the coupled system, and uncertainties in model configurations. The study reveals large‐scale coupled modes of variability, local air‐sea interactions, atmospheric dynamics, and oceanic processes play various roles in the observed modeling biases. Lastly, the authors offer suggestions on emerging opportunities for improving regional coupled modeling over the MC.