QTCMs are models of intermediate complexity suitable for the modeling of tropical climate and its variability. It occupies a niche among climate models between complex general circulation models and simple models.
The primitive-equation-based dynamical framework is constructed using analytical solutions from the quasi-equilibrium convective parameterization as the first basis function in a Galerkin representation of vertical structure. A uniqueness of the QTCM is its balanced treatment of dynamics and physical parameterizations. It includes a
linearized longwave radiation scheme, simple cloud prediction and shortwave radiation schemes, and the Simple-Land (SLand)
land model.