TAR/AR4 statistical downscaling input
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To develop spatial downscaling, the use of daily predictors is needed. The predictor variables provide daily information concerning the large-scale state of the atmosphere, while the predictand describes conditions at the site scale (i.e. temperature or precipitation observed at a station).
Large-scale predictor variable information has been prepared for a large North American window. Near-observed data have been derived from the NCEP Reanalysis data set (Kalnay et al., 1996) (for use during the calibration and the validation procedure of the downscaling model), while GCM data for the baseline and climate scenario periods are from the various GCMs experiments. For further information about predictors, their physical links with predictands, including choice/selection and new development, see note on predictors.
SDSM and ASD predictors
| PREDICTORS (Atmospheric Variables) | ORIGIN (i.e. NCEP or GCM) | TIME WINDOW |
|---|---|---|
| Mean Sea Level Pressure | NCEP, CGCM1, CGCM2, HadCM3 | 1961-1990(baselineclimate) |
| Surface Airflow Strength | ||
| Surface Zonal Velocity | ||
| Surface Meridional Velocity | ||
| Surface Vorticity | ||
| Surface Wind Direction | ||
| Surface Divergence | ||
| 500hPa Airflow Strength | ||
| 500hPa Zonal Velocity | ||
| 500hPa Meridional Velocity | CGCM1, (IS92a) | 2000-2099 |
| 500hPa Vorticity | ||
| 500hPa Geopotential | ||
| 500hPa Wind Direction | ||
| 500hPa Divergence | ||
| 850hPa Airflow Strength | ||
| 850hPa Zonal Velocity | CGCM2, HadCM3 (SRES A2 & B2) | 2000-2099 |
| 850hPa Meridional Velocity | ||
| 850hPa Vorticity | ||
| 850hPa Geopotential | ||
| 850hPa Wind Direction | ||
| 850hPa Divergence | ||
| Relative or Specific Humidity1 at 500hPa | ||
| Relative or Specific Humidity1 at 850hPa | ||
| Near Surface Relative or Specific Humidity1 | ||
| Mean Temperature at 2m |