Ocean heat content and Earthʼs radiation imbalance. II. Relation to climate shifts

In an earlier study of ocean heat content (OHC) we showed that Earthʼs empirically implied radiation imbalance has undergone abrupt changes. Other studies have identified additional such climate shifts since 1950. The shifts can be correlated with features in recently updated OHC data. The implied radiation imbalance may possibly alternate in sign at dates close to the climate shifts. The most recent shifts occurred during 2001–2002 and 2008–2009. The implied radiation imbalance between these dates, in the direction of ocean heat loss, was −0.03±0.06 W/m2−0.03±0.06 W/m2, with a possible systematic error of [−0.00,+0.09] W/m2[−0.00,+0.09] W/m2.

► Ocean heat content (OHC) slope discontinuities match similar Earth climate features.
► OHC slopes between climate shifts give most of the implied radiation balance (IRI).
► IRI often alternates in sign at dates close to the climate shifts.
► IRI between climate shifts of 2001–2002 and 2008–2009 was −0.03±0.06 W/m2−0.03±0.06 W/m2.
► Geothermal flux is relevant to analyses of radiation imbalance.