COMPUTER CLIMATE MODEL

Computer simulation of the evolution of the state variables of the atmosphere-ocean system in a computer. The system is described on a set of grid points, at each of which is defined a temperature, pressure, wind velocity, etc. The state at some instant is used to calculate the state a short time later, and the process is repeated for the duration of the numerical "experiment." Climate models are designed for the study of long-term behavior, whereas forecast models seek to describe the atmosphere over short intervals into the future.