1. An artificial neural network was developed to predict slowdowns in the rate of decadal global warming by analyzing patterns in ocean heat content anomalies.
2. The neural network found that transitions in the phase of the Interdecadal Pacific Oscillation often preceded warming slowdowns in climate model simulations.
3. Using explainable AI techniques, researchers determined the neural network was leveraging tropical patterns of ocean heat content to make its predictions of when decadal warming rates might slowdown.
Module for Grade 9 for Asynchronous/Distance learning
Decadal warming slowdown predictions by an artificial neural network
1. DECADAL WARMING
SLOWDOWN PREDICTIONS
BY AN ARTIFICIAL NEURAL NETWORK
@ZLabe
Zachary M. Labe
with Elizabeth A. Barnes
Colorado State University
Department of Atmospheric Science
29 October 2021
Young Scientist Symposium on Atmospheric Research (YSSAR)
11. Are slowdowns (“hiatus”) in decadal
warming predictable?
• Statistical construct?
• Lack of surface temperature observations in the Arctic?
• Phase transition of the Interdecadal Pacific Oscillation (IPO)?
• Influence of volcanoes and other aerosol forcing?
• Weaker solar forcing?
• Lower equilibrium climate sensitivity (ECS)?
• Other combinations of internal variability?
FUTURE
WARMING
12. Select one ensemble
member and calculate
the annual mean
global mean surface
temperature (GMST)
2-m TEMPERATURE
ANOMALY
24. OCEAN HEAT CONTENT – 100 M
INPUT LAYER
HIDDEN LAYERS
OUTPUT LAYER
YES
SLOWDOWN
NO
SLOWDOWN
Will a slowdown begin?
25. OCEAN HEAT CONTENT – 100 M
INPUT LAYER
HIDDEN LAYERS
OUTPUT LAYER
YES
SLOWDOWN
NO
SLOWDOWN
BACK-PROPAGATE THROUGH NETWORK = EXPLAINABLE AI
LAYER-WISE RELEVANCE PROPAGATION
Will a slowdown begin?
33. KEY POINTS
Zachary Labe
zmlabe@rams.colostate.edu
@ZLabe
1. An artificial neural network predicts the onset of slowdowns in decadal warming trends of
global mean surface temperature
2. Transitions in the phase of the Interdecadal Pacific Oscillation are frequently associated with
warming slowdown trends in CESM2-LE
3. Explainable AI reveals the neural network is leveraging tropical patterns of ocean heat content
anomalies to make its predictions