Simulation and understanding in the study of weather and climate

Parker, Wendy

doi:10.1162/posc_a_00137

Simulation and understanding in the study of weather and climate

Parker, Wendy

Authors

Wendy Parker

Abstract

In the study of weather and climate, the digital computer has allowed scientists to make existing theory more useful, both for prediction and for understanding. After characterizing two sorts of understanding commonly sought by scientists in this arena, I show how the use of the computer to (i) generate surrogate observational data, (ii) test physical hypotheses and (iii) experiment on models has helped to advance such understanding in significant ways.

Citation

Parker, W. (2014). Simulation and understanding in the study of weather and climate. Perspectives on Science, 22(3), 336-356. https://doi.org/10.1162/posc_a_00137

Journal Article Type	Article
Online Publication Date	Sep 12, 2014
Publication Date	Sep 1, 2014
Deposit Date	Nov 18, 2014
Publicly Available Date	Jan 29, 2016
Journal	Perspectives on Science
Print ISSN	1063-6145
Electronic ISSN	1530-9274
Publisher	Massachusetts Institute of Technology Press
Peer Reviewed	Peer Reviewed
Volume	22
Issue	3
Pages	336-356
DOI	https://doi.org/10.1162/posc_a_00137