Marino et al. (2026) Climate Impacts of Forced Equatorial Superrotation in an Idealized GCM

⚠️ Warning: This summary was generated from the abstract only, as the full text was not available.

Identification

• Journal: Journal of Climate
• Year: 2026
• Date: 2026-01-15
• Authors: Tim Marino, Michael P. Byrne, C. J. Herbert
• DOI: 10.1175/jcli-d-25-0588.1

Research Groups

[Information not available in the provided abstract.]

Short Summary

This paper investigates the impact of a forced equatorial superrotation on Earth's climate system using idealized General Circulation Model (GCM) simulations, revealing significant changes in surface temperature and the water cycle primarily driven by altered atmospheric energy transport.

Objective

• To investigate how a forced superrotating atmosphere affects surface temperature and the water cycle, and to understand the underlying dynamical processes and broader climate system impacts.

Study Configuration

• Spatial Scale: Global (GCM simulations covering the entire Earth's atmosphere).
• Temporal Scale: Climate response (idealized GCM simulations exploring long-term atmospheric states under altered circulation).

Methodology and Data

• Models used: Idealized General Circulation Model (GCM), forcing/feedback analysis, moist energy balance model.
• Data sources: Idealized GCM simulations.

Main Results

• A forced superrotating atmosphere leads to large effects on surface temperature and the water cycle.
• These effects are directly linked to global circulation changes that extend beyond the tropical atmosphere.
• The dominant mechanism is changes in atmospheric energy transport.
• Key drivers of altered energy transport include the collapse of the meridional overturning circulation and the appearance of an equatorial jet.
• A concomitant redistribution of moisture in the tropics leads to a much weaker relative humidity gradient, which has strong radiative effects.

Contributions

• This study is the first to explore the broader impact of a dramatic circulation change, specifically equatorial superrotation, on the climate system.
• It identifies and quantifies the primary mechanisms (atmospheric energy transport, meridional overturning circulation collapse, equatorial jet formation, moisture redistribution, and radiative effects) through which superrotation influences surface temperature and the water cycle.

Funding

[Information not available in the provided abstract.]

Citation

@article{Marino2026Climate,
  author = {Marino, Tim and Byrne, Michael P. and Herbert, C. J.},
  title = {Climate Impacts of Forced Equatorial Superrotation in an Idealized GCM},
  journal = {Journal of Climate},
  year = {2026},
  doi = {10.1175/jcli-d-25-0588.1},
  url = {https://doi.org/10.1175/jcli-d-25-0588.1}
}