Model assessment of possible changes of atmospheric blockings in the Northern Hemisphere under RCP scenarios of anthropogenic forcings

Abstract

Changes for summer and winter characteristics of atmospheric blocking anticyclones (including their number, duration and frequency) for different regions in the Northern Hemisphere under possible climate changes are estimated from the CMIP5 model simulations. More detailed analysis is performed for changes in distribution functions for blocking characteristics in the Euro-Atlantic region. Results of model simulations display a tendency of increase in the total blocking duration both in winter and summer during the 21st century for different analyzed RCP scenarios.