Concept
The evolution of the climate system is largely determined by the fundamental laws of physics. Since the governing physical equations are non-linear it is impossible to find exact solutions. How is it possible then to improve our unstanding and prediction capabilities of the climate system?
In our global and regional models we assimilate observational data from measurements, satellites and other sources and visualise for example sea surface temperature (left) or drift speed (right).
In the Climate Dynamics section we follow three different but related approaches:
Observational data analysis
Observational data from various sources are analyzed. This "data mining" activity help us formulating hypotheses about the functioning of the climate system and its changes. These hypothesis are tested through numerical experiments and theoretical analysis.
Climate modelling
It is possible to solve the equations governing the evolution of the climate system numerically on supercomputers. This activity is commonly refered to as climate modelling. Climate models are used in the Climate Dynamics section to carry out special sensitivity experiments addressing questions such a What would happen to the global climate system if Arctic sea ice vanished? Climate models are also used in the Climate Dynamics section to carry out predictions on time scales from days to centuries.
Theoretical analysis
Some of the fundamental characteristics of the climate system can be explained by simplified dynamics (i.e. if non-linear effects are of secondary importance). For some phenomena, therefore, it is possible to find and study solutions of the simplified equations. Traditionally, theoretical work in the Climate Dynamics section focusses on the behaviour of the ocean.