Climate System Model Visualizations

Surface temperature and its predicted change due to increased levels of greenhouse gases are simulated over a period of several decades using the NCAR Climate System Model. The Climate System Model (CSM) project formally began in January 1994 with the long-term goal of building, maintaining, and continually improving a comprehensive model of the climate system. The CSM is composed of 4 independent models (ocean, atmosphere, sea ice, and land surface) that communicate using the "Flux Coupler". The following images and animations are visualizations from the CSM project and represent data from the different model components as noted. Red depicts warming, blue depicts cooling.