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Characteristics of Climate Models
These feedback processes are described by laws of physics and are
naturally incorporated into climate models. However, the full influence of these
feedbacks may not be realised by the model. For instance, the model may include
the ice-albedo feedback, but if it does not simulate a large enough snow-covered
region in winter, then the air temperature simulated by the model will be too
warm. We now focus our attention on
the characteristics of climate models.
Climate models are essentially the same models that are used every day for weather forecasting. They have some slight modifications made to make them adaptable to running for long periods of time (several years as opposed to a few days), but they use the same basic laws of physics: conservation of energy, conservation of momentum, conservation of mass, and an equation of state that describes the relationship of temperature to pressure and density. PREVIOUS: Feedback Processes