Superrotation, idealized models, and GCMs

[knocker]

I was not sure where to put this but Isaac Held is always worth a read even if I don't understand half of it.

Quote

GCMs often play a conservative role as a counterpoint to speculation or idealized modeling regarding “tipping points” or abrupt climate change, in favor of gradual, more linear climate response to external forcing.  Think of abrupt collapse of the AMOC (Atlantic Overturning Circulation) or the “death spiral” of Arctic sea ice.  These high-end models may not always be correct of course, but I think they provide an appropriate null hypothesis that must be critically examined in the light of observational constraints, possible missing physics, etc.  I’ll use the problem of equatorial superrotation to illustrate this point — also taking this opportunity to introduce this relatively obscure subject. 

http://www.gfdl.noaa.gov/blog/isaac-held/2016/04/13/68-superrotation-idealized-models-and-gcms/