CMIP5 update of ‘Inter-model variability and biases of the global water cycle in CMIP3 coupled climate models’

In this addendum we show results of the climate model consistency test performed with the control runs of all CMIP5 models. We calculate the closure of the atmospheric moisture budget. As already explained in the original article and confirmed again with CMIP5 models, a few outlier models can exhibit significant biases, and changes over time of these biases, that distort the multi-model means of water cycle components. These biases in the control runs of climate models can also be regarded as artificial, non-radiative forcings and should hence be taken in consideration in applications. We stress the need for ‘consistency tests’ in addition to ‘reality checks’ (comparisons with observations) of climate models for improving future climate change predictions.