CFMIP Data Packages

Diagnostic packages A-L have been created to meet the diagnostic requirements for each of the subprojects (see Diagnostic Subprojects).

Package A: ±2K equilibrium data in order to repeat Cess et al. (1990) and compare with ISCCP. (24 monthly means, Tables CF1*)

Package B: ±2K daily mean data to permit regime compositing for 24 months of spun up run. (Tables CF3*)

Package C: A subset of package B only containing 2D fields which will permit some regime investigation (for centres unable to provide all 49 ISCCP cloud types daily). (Tables CF3*)

Package D: ±2K Clear-sky radiation investigation. (24 monthly means, Tables CF1*)

Package E: Monthly slab data for the final 20 years (equilibrium Ctrl and 2xCO2) for general intercomparison of cloud feedbacks (20*12 monthly means, Tables CF1*).

Package F: Daily mean slab data for the final 5 years (Ctrl and 2xCO2) for regime compositing. (Tables CF3*)

Package G: A subset of package F only containing 2D fields which will permit some regime investigation (for centres unable to provide all 49 ISCCP cloud types daily) (Tables CF3*).

Package H: Monthly mean slab data for the final 20 years (equilibrium Ctrl and 2xCO2) for classical feedback analysis. (20*12 monthly means, Tables CF1*)

Package I: Partial Raditative Perturbation diagnostics for separation of feedbacks (Manabe and Wetherald, 1988). Partial derivatives to be calculated some centres - see diagnostic subproject 4a.

Package J: Transient analysis following Gregory et al. (2003) and Boer and Yu (2003). Requires annual mean data to be saved during the whole slab model run, including the 2xCO2 spin-up from current climate. (approx 60 annual means, Tables CF2*)

Package K: Instantaneous CO2 radiative forcing: required diagnostics climatological means. (Table CF4)

Package L: Changes in surface energy balance – required diagnostics TBD, but likely ones have been identified in the tables below.

Package Z: Standard AMIP 2 diagnostics tables 1a, 1c (cloud portion), 2, 5 for consistency with AMIP and to provide general model evaluation and development of metrics.

Diagnostic packages A, B/C, E, H, J and Z are regarded as essential for all participants of CFMIP. In addition, packages D, F/G and L are strongly recommended and, if possible, it is desirable that participants save data for packages I and K.