My most recent update has finally dealt with an important but previously undefined climatic variable: ocean currents. Using data derived by worldbuilding pasta (thank you Nikolai!), I discovered that Frodo theoretically has nine circulation cells per hemisphere, although due to eddies in the atmosphere, these won't be very well defined but instead rather chaotic. (I don't know if it's even practical to be defining ocean currents on such an unusual world, but I've done so anyway, hoping for some feedback from those more knowledgeable.) Also, due to ice caps, only 6-7 circulation cells actually exist.
Currents.png
Now, all I have to do is consider the effects of all the currents acting on the continent relevant to the story (the one with defined mountain ranges), and calculate the climate accordingly. I'm not certain how many degrees to adjust the climate by, although worldbuilding pasta has calculated that on Earth, only those currents between 50 to 70 latitude should be affected by about 10 to 15 degrees Celsius. Because the temperature on Frodo changes so dramatically away from the tropics (and factoring in Frodo's larger size), I'm guessing that the currents would have a stronger effect on modulating temperatures there. (15 or so degrees of heating/cooling as well, perhaps?)
I've also defined the ice cap at periapsis (whitest layer capping the poles) and apoapsis (baby blue, relevant only in northern hemisphere), factoring in the ocean's ability to circulate heat towards the poles. As I've tried to depict, the melting of ice at periapsis allows one more cell of circulation to operate in the northern hemisphere during the hot season. Due to axial tilt, eccentricity, and the orientation of Frodo's orbit, the southern hemisphere ice cap does not melt at periapsis.
At any rate, please let me know what you think.
Peter
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