Table 2: Climate Scenario Data Print E-mail

Table 2a: VEMAP2 Climate Scenarios

Description

The VEMAP Phase 2 transient climate scenario set is a companion to the VEMAP2 Historical Climate Dataset. The scenarios are derived from coupled atmospheric-ocean global climate model experiments with transient greenhouse gas and sulfate aerosol forcing. The deltas and ratios are interpolated to a 0.5 deg lat/lon grid (without any topographic or other corrections) and then added/multiplied to the historical VEMAP dataset. The variables include minimum and maximum temperature, precipitation, solar radiation (and irradiance), and vapor pressure (and relative humidity) and have both monthly and daily versions. To date, gridded scenario time series (1994-2100) are available for runs from the Canadian Centre for Climate Modelling and Analysis (CCCma) and the Hadley Centre for Climate Prediction and Research, UK (which ends at 2099). Additional sets will include runs from the NCAR Climate System Model. Daily fields are generated from monthly fields using a stochastic weather generator. Grid point daily data are not spatially auto-correlated at the daily timestep (i.e. daily events are not synchronous in adjacent grid cells), but are resolved on the VEMAP 0.5 x 0.5 grid, a finer resolution than the GCM data.

Function

Model deltas and ratios have been superimposed on the VEMAP2 historical dataset to provide spatially comprehensive projections about temperature, precipitation, solar radiation, and vapor pressures for the contiguous United States.

References and URLs

 [Kittel et al., 1995; Kittel et al., 1997; VEMAP members, 1995]

VEMAP home page: 

http://www.cgd.ucar.edu/vemap/

VEMAP2 dataset overview: 

http://www.cgd.ucar.edu/vemap/V2.html

VEMAP2 scenarios description: 

http://www.cgd.ucar.edu/vemap/ve298.html#transSect

Images

VEMAP maps

VEMAP trend maps

VEMAP absolute temperatures

VEMAP time series

HCN-based time series

VEMAP tables of Means & Variances

Direct Link to Data

VEMAP2 Data Access.

Regional Data Access

* The baseline period is 1961-1990.  Both the model baseline and the observed baseline are a single value for each month averaged over the baseline period from the model and observed data, respectively.  Scenarios minimum and maximum temperatures are calculated from deltas, st. (monthly model future temperature - monthly model baseline temperature) + observational baseline temperature .  Scenario precipitation is calculated from ratios, st. (monthly model future precipitation/monthly model baseline precipitation) x observational baseline precipitation.  This method of supplying continuous time series from the historical period through the scenario period preserves the relative GCM variance (or exact in the case of deltas) for future years, while shifting the mean values for the future.  The variance for the historical period of the model simulations is not currently supplied but may be in the future.

 

Table 2b: Canadian Climate Centre (CGCM1)

Description

The CCC CGCM1 transient scenario is derived from a coupled atmosphere-ocean general circulation model with transient greenhouse and sulfate aerosol forcing (1%/yr increase in equivalent CO2 w/ is92a sulfate aerosols). The CGCM1 time period is from 1850-2100. The model runs include experiments forced with emission scenarios of 1% equivalent CO2 increase per year without sulfate aerosols, as well as a control experiment with present concentration of greenhouse gases.

Function

Direct GCM output of many atmospheric fields and spatially synchronous daily data using the 1992 'business as usual' scenario.

References and URLs

[Boer et al., 1984,1999a,b; Flato et al, 1999; McFarlane et al., 1992]

Images

Soil Moisture

Snow Cover

Sea Ice Cover

Precipitation Extremes

Alaska

Direct Link to Data

CGCM1 data

Sea Level Data

Storm Track Data

ENSO Indices and ENSO caveats

Other Climate Indices

 

Table 2c: UKMO/Hadley (HADCM2)

Description

The UKMO Hadley Centre HADCM2  transient scenario is derived from a coupled atmosphere-ocean general circulation model with transient greenhouse and sulfate aerosol forcing (1%/yr.increase in equivalent CO2 w/ is92a sulfate aerosols). The HADCM2 time period is from 1860-2099. The UK runs are actually ensemble runs with 4 members, and only the separate year-month data from each are in the database, but no variability statistics are available. The cases are: a. GH gas 1% (4 runs); b. GH gas 1% and aerosols (4 runs); c. GH gas is92d (which approximates 0.5%) (4 runs); d. GH gas is92d and aerosols (4 runs); e. Control run (1 run).

Function

Direct GCM output of many atmospheric fields and spatially synchronous daily data using the 1992 'business as usual' scenario.

References and URLs

[see Johns et al., 1997; Mitchell et al., 1995; Mitchell and Johns, 1997]

http://www.cru.uea.ac.uk/link/

Images

Soil Moisture

Snow Cover

Sea Ice Cover

Precipitation Extremes

Alaska

Direct Link to Data

IPCC Data Distribution Centre

Sea Level Data

Storm Track Data

ENSO Indices and ENSO caveats

Other Climate Indices

 

Table 2d: MPI/DKRZ

Description

The MPI/DKRZ ECHAM4/OPYC3  transient scenario is derived from a coupled atmosphere-ocean general circulation model with transient greenhouse and sulfate aerosol forcing (is92a equivalent CO2 and sulfate aerosols).

Function

Direct GCM output of many atmospheric fields and spatially synchronous daily data using the 1992 'business as usual' scenario.

References and URLs

IPCC Data Distribution Centre

Direct Link to Data

IPCC Data Distribution Centre

 

Table 2e: NCAR CSM

Description

Runs include (1) Business as Usual scenario, and (2) stabilization at 550 ppm with CSM.

Function

Most recent 'business as usual' and stabilization scenarios, including the direct effect of multiple greenhouse gases, a real sulfate emissions model, and a coupled atmosphere-ocean model that is not flux-corrected.

References and URLs

Journal of Climate, June 1998 (CSM Special Issue)

Images

CSM Maps

Direct Link to Data

NCAR Data

 

Table 2f: DOE PCM

Description

Runs include (1) IS92a Business as Usual scenario, and (2) stabilization at 550 ppm with PCM.

Function

is92a 'business as usual' and stabilization scenarios, including the direct effect of multiple greenhouse gases and a coupled atmosphere-ocean model that is not flux-corrected.

References and URLs

DOE PCM

Direct Link to Data

DOE PCM Data

 

Table 2g: GFDL Runs

Description

The GFDL R30 (3.75ox2.25o) transient scenario is derived from a coupled atmosphere-ocean general circulation model with transient greenhouse and sulfate aerosol forcing (1%/yr.increase in equivalent CO2 w/ is92a sulfate aerosols).

Function

Direct GCM output of some atmospheric fields using the 1992 'business as usual' scenario.  However, model does not include a diunal cycle.

References and URLs

 

Direct Link to Data

None

 

Table 2h: Model Intercomparison

Description

Will combine and statistically analyze data from Canada (CCC), UK (UKMO/Hadley), Hamburg (Max-Planck), and NCAR. Will gather year-month data; prepare decade-month data; provide selected information about daily variability; prepare some decade data to show model response. NCAR will aim to prepare a CD-ROM.

Function

To provide contextual comparisons between the different GCMs and climate scenarios used in the National Assessment.

References and URLs

 

Images

Intercomparisons

Direct Link to Data

 

 

Table 2i: Model Validation

Description

A comparison of simulations of current climate from two coupled atmosphere-ocean global climate models against observations and evaluation of their future climates.

Function

To provide model validation of CGCM1 and HADCM2 over the U.S., by comparisons with both VEMAP and the Legates and Wilmott data set.

References and URLs

VEMAP comparisons were prepared by B. Felzer.
Doherty, R. and L. O. Mearns, 1999, A comparison of simulations of current climate from two coupled atmosphere-ocean global climate models against observations and evaluation of their future climates, Report to the National Institute for Global Environmental Change (NIGEC) in support of the US National Assessment.

Direct Link to Data

Model Biases

Doherty and Mearns report

 

Table 2j: Synthesis Document Figures

Description

A complilation of figures under consideration for the climate section of the Foundation document (the more detailed version of the Synthesis Overview report).

Function

 

References and URLs

Felzer and Heard, 1999
Felzer, 1999
Sousounis, 1999

Direct Link to Data

Direct Link to Data