Publication Abstracts
Chen et al. 2002
Chen, J.,
, and , 2002: Evidence for strengthening of the tropical general circulation in the 1990s. Science, 295, 838-841, doi:10.1126/science.1065835.Satellite observations suggest that the thermal radiation emitted by Earth to space has increased by > 5 W m-2, while reflected sunlight has decreased by < 2 W m-2, in the tropics over the period 1985-2000, with most of the increase occurring after 1990. By analyzing temporal changes in the frequency of occurrence of emitted thermal and reflected solar fluxes, the effects of El Niño-Southern Oscillation (ENSO) are minimized and an independent longer time scale variation of the radiation budget is identified. Similar analyses of upper tropospheric humidity, cloud amount, surface air temperature and vertical velocity confirm that these flux changes are associated with a decadal time scale strengthening of the tropical Hadley and Walker circulations. Equatorial convective regions have intensified in upward motion and moistened, while both the equatorial and subtropical subsidence regions have become drier and less cloudy.
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BibTeX Citation
@article{ch02100q, author={Chen, J. and Carlson, B. E. and Del Genio, A. D.}, title={Evidence for strengthening of the tropical general circulation in the 1990s}, year={2002}, journal={Science}, volume={295}, pages={838--841}, doi={10.1126/science.1065835}, }
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RIS Citation
TY - JOUR ID - ch02100q AU - Chen, J. AU - Carlson, B. E. AU - Del Genio, A. D. PY - 2002 TI - Evidence for strengthening of the tropical general circulation in the 1990s JA - Science JO - Science VL - 295 SP - 838 EP - 841 DO - 10.1126/science.1065835 ER -
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