GFDL Simulation of Global Warming

Maps of the projected increase of surface air temperature (in degrees Fahrenheit) from 2xCO₂ and 4xCO₂ experiments with a GFDL climate model. The warming is projected to be particularly large over much of the mid-latitude continental regions, including North America and Asia. The temperature changes shown for the 4xCO₂ experiment are almost as large as the difference between the present climate and that of the Late Cretaceous approximately 65-90 million years ago. The results are shown for years 401-500 from transient CO₂ increase experiments in which CO₂ levels are increased at 1% per year compounded until they reach twice their original level (70 years) or four times their original level (140 years). Most of the surface warming occurs within a few decades of the CO₂ increase.

Further details: Manabe and Stouffer (1994).