Machine Learning Gravity Wave Parameterization Generalizes to Capture the QBO and Response to Increased CO2

Zachary I. Espinosa, Aditi Sheshadri, Gerald R. Cain, Edwin P. Gerber, Kevin J. DallaSanta

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

Abstract

We present single-column gravity wave parameterizations (GWPs) that use machine learning to emulate non-orographic gravity wave (GW) drag and demonstrate their ability to generalize out-of-sample. A set of artificial neural networks (ANNs) are trained to emulate the momentum forcing from a conventional GWP in an idealized climate model, given only one view of the annual cycle and one phase of the Quasi-Biennial Oscillation (QBO). We investigate the sensitivity of offline and online performance to the choice of input variables and complexity of the ANN. When coupled with the model, moderately complex ANNs accurately generate full cycles of the QBO. When the model is forced with enhanced CO2, its climate response with the ANN matches that generated with the physics-based GWP. That ANNs can accurately emulate an existing scheme and generalize to new regimes given limited data suggests the potential for developing GWPs from observational estimates of GW momentum transport.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Article numbere2022GL098174
JournalGeophysical Research Letters
Volume49
Issue number8
DOIs
StatePublished - Apr 28 2022

Keywords

  • QBO
  • generalization
  • gravity waves
  • machine learning
  • neural network
  • parameterization

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Geophysics
  • General Earth and Planetary Sciences

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