Analysis of water and heat balance components in the Lake Ladoga watershed as computed by atmospheric general circulation models

Abstract

The annual cycle of the components of the water and heat balances in the Lake Ladoga watershed is analyzed using outputs of 14 atmospheric general circulation models run in the framework of the international Atmospheric Model Intercomparison Project (AMIP). The model results are compared with observational data. The surface air temperature, short- and long-wave surface radiation balances, total cloud cover, precipitation, and water balance (precipitation minus evaporation) are considered for the lake and its watershed. The rms errors in the annual cycles of the water-balance components and their seasonal and interannual variability are estimated for each model. The simulated and observed data, accumulated throughout 1980-1988, agree within 20-30%