Temperature trends in the lower atmosphere
Steps for understanding and reconciling differences
Author(s)
Published by
Year published
2006
Summary
Previously reported discrepancies between the amount of warming near the surface and higher in the atmosphere have been used to challenge the reliability of climate models and the reality of humaninduced global warming. Specifically, surface data showed substantial global-average warming, while early versions of satellite and radiosonde data showed little or no warming above the surface. This significant discrepancy no longer exists because errors in the satellite and radiosonde data have been identified and corrected. New data sets have also been developed that do not show such discrepancies. This Synthesis and Assessment Product is an important revision to the conclusions of earlier reports from the U.S. National Research Council and the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change. For recent decades, all current atmospheric data sets now show global-average warming that is similar to the surface warming. While these data are consistent with the results from climate models at the global scale, discrepancies in the tropics remain to be resolved. Nevertheless, the most recent observational and model evidence has increased confidence in our understanding of observed climatic changes and their causes.
Language of publication
English
Extent of item
164 p.
Format
Digital/Paper
Material type
Notes
Synthesis and assessment product I.I. Report by the U.S. Climate Change Programme and the Subcommittee on Global Change Research.
Topics
- Permalink
-
https://library.wmo.int/idurl/4/47574
