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Do climate models predict extreme weather?

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11–20 of 223 posts

Re: Do climate models predict extreme weather?

#11

I believe in climate change, but if you look into how the climate change computer models are written, it really makes me feel like it is contrived. Here's the problem with climate change modeling, you are modeling a complex chaotic system, you just cannot do it accurately. You have to be honest about it.

This is a pretty extreme claim to make without references. Have you looked at climate change computer models? Which ones what are your credentials in making this sort of "code review"? Etc.

Re: Do climate models predict extreme weather?

#12
post #8
post #5

One of the things about "extreme weather attribution" that makes me uncomfortable is the asymmetry of it. To be clear: I'm in no way an expert (or even educated) in the area. To give an example. Let's say there's a 1% chance every year that there will be a catastrophic wildfire in some particular area. Now let's say climate change increases a chance of drought in that area. Then we get a wildfire one year and the att…

Extreme weather can occur in both directions. A year with more rain may be less prone to fire but more prone to flooding. It also does not take natural disaster to notice extremes. People who have lived in the same area awhile will know if there is an unusually wet, dry, hot, or cold year.

>... more prone to flooding.

Or mudslides.

Re: Do climate models predict extreme weather?

#14
post #10

Models say only what the modeler tells them to say.

That's not true. Climate models model and simulate physical and chemical condition on Earth. Modellers don't know what they say beforehand.

Offhandedly portraying scientists and researchers as dishonest and conspirators in every opportunity possible seems the default here.

Re: Do climate models predict extreme weather?

#15
post #8
post #5

One of the things about "extreme weather attribution" that makes me uncomfortable is the asymmetry of it. To be clear: I'm in no way an expert (or even educated) in the area. To give an example. Let's say there's a 1% chance every year that there will be a catastrophic wildfire in some particular area. Now let's say climate change increases a chance of drought in that area. Then we get a wildfire one year and the att…

Extreme weather can occur in both directions. A year with more rain may be less prone to fire but more prone to flooding. It also does not take natural disaster to notice extremes. People who have lived in the same area awhile will know if there is an unusually wet, dry, hot, or cold year.

> Extreme weather can occur in both directions.

Of course that's true. What I guess I was trying to say is that a change in climate doesn't necessarily mean more extreme weather (in every instance, I mean). A change in climate could cause something to happen more or happen less. But no one is going to study a given year and a given place that doesn't have an extreme weather event.

Re: Do climate models predict extreme weather?

#16

I believe in climate change, but if you look into how the climate change computer models are written, it really makes me feel like it is contrived. Here's the problem with climate change modeling, you are modeling a complex chaotic system, you just cannot do it accurately. You have to be honest about it.

This is a pretty extreme claim to make without references. Have you looked at climate change computer models? Which ones what are your credentials in making this sort of "code review"? Etc.

It is not extreme at all. Sabina is using Luboš Motl wisdom as her own for some time now anyway.

Re: Do climate models predict extreme weather?

#17
post #5

One of the things about "extreme weather attribution" that makes me uncomfortable is the asymmetry of it. To be clear: I'm in no way an expert (or even educated) in the area. To give an example. Let's say there's a 1% chance every year that there will be a catastrophic wildfire in some particular area. Now let's say climate change increases a chance of drought in that area. Then we get a wildfire one year and the att…

Climate change means you can have an extreme drought, followed by a fire, followed by extreme rain then mudslides.

Re: Do climate models predict extreme weather?

#19

I believe in climate change, but if you look into how the climate change computer models are written, it really makes me feel like it is contrived. Here's the problem with climate change modeling, you are modeling a complex chaotic system, you just cannot do it accurately. You have to be honest about it.

Examples? This is a pretty dubious claim.

Re: Do climate models predict extreme weather?

#20

I believe in climate change, but if you look into how the climate change computer models are written, it really makes me feel like it is contrived. Here's the problem with climate change modeling, you are modeling a complex chaotic system, you just cannot do it accurately. You have to be honest about it.

>Here's the problem with climate change modeling, you are modeling a complex chaotic system, you just cannot do it accurately

Its more than that. Large models have hundreds of adjustable parameters, which each may be tweaked within reasonable ranges to simultaneously backfit historic data and potentially get any kind of future result. It's very easy to get biased outputs which look totally reasonable, which is especially dangerous if the discipline is subject to a rigid orthodoxy.

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