Monthly mean forecast experiments with the GISS model - Correction

Abstract

One of the three monthly mean forecasts computed previously by Spar et al., (1976) with the GISS (Goddard Institute for Space Studies) general circulation model was started from incorrect initial conditions. For the January 1975 prediction, a climatological mean January data set was accidentally substituted for the required January 1, 1975 initial data. In the present paper, the forecast for January 1975 is computed with the proper initial conditions, and the corrected results are presented. It is shown that the use of correct initial conditions improves the gross forecast mean energetics. In general, the use of correct initial conditions has resulted in a modest improvement in the monthly mean forecast for January 1975, but has not altered any of the previous conclusions by Spar et al.