Study of upper winds in observations and ECHAM model simulations

In this study upper winds (700 hPa) in aerological observations, ECMWF Re-Analysis and ECHAM climate model simulations for the region of northern Germany were analysed. The comparison of observations and climate model simulations shows some remarkable differences for the monthly average wind direction and for the frequency of determined wind directions. Westerly winds are generally overestimated in the climate model simulations. The lars est differences between simulation and observation are found in February and May The reason for these differences are deviations in the mean large-scale pressure and geopotential distribution, respectively.