Modeling the last 2000 years of climate variability in the Arctic

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About

We are conducting climate model simulations of key periods during the last two millennia to distinguish patterns of forced from internal variability in the arctic climate system. Forced patterns that we are studying include the responses to changes in solar irradiance, volcanic aerosols, and greenhouse gasses. We are particularly interested in the significance and drivers of the medieval warm period and the Little Ice Age, and the transition between these periods, to place recent warming and projected future changes into a long-term context.

Please read further for more information on the model, our experiments, and relevant publications.

Near-surface summer-temperature anomalies following a major volcanic eruption at high latitude.

Left — one year after the eruption; right — two years after.