Ice and snow feedbacks and the latitudinal and seasonal distribution of climate sensitivity.

Abstract

A new parameterization of snow and ice area and albedo as functions of surface temperature is presented based on recent satellite observations of snow and ice extent. This parameterization is incorporated into a seasonal energy-balance climate model. Experiments are conducted with the model to determine the effects of this parameterization change on the latitudinal and seasonal distribution of model sensitivity to external forcings of climate change, such as solar constant variations and changes in the atmospheric carbon dioxide amount. -from Author