Empirical-Statistical downscaling with EPISODES – status and current developments

Abstract

<p>Empirical-statistical downscaling (ESD) methods are sparing regarding computational costs compared to dynamical downscaling models. Due to this advantage ESD can be applied in a short time frame and in a demand-based manner. It enables, e.g., the creation of ensembles of downscaled climate projections, which can be assessed either as stand-alone data set or to enhance ensembles based on dynamical methods. This helps improve the robustness of climatological statements for the purpose of climate impact research.</p><p>EPISODES is an ESD method for the regionalisation of output of general circulation models (GSMs). The initial development of EPISODES has been done at Deutscher Wetterdienst (DWD) for the area of Germany. Results of EPISODES results of CMIP5 projections are available for public download at the Earth System Grid Federation (ESGF). In the meantime, EPISODES has been extended for the downscaling of climate predictions on different timescales (decadal, seasonal, sub-seasonal) to meet the needs of climate data users for high spatial resolution datasets. Furthermore, is has been applied to a number of CMIP6 global projections.</p><p>In co-operation with the Zentralanstalt für Meteorologie und Geodynamik (ZAMG) EPISODES is currently further developed and adjusted for handling besides the German area also the Alpine region. In addition to the interest of ZAMG to carry out downscaling with EPISODES for Austria, the complete coverage of the catchment areas of the Rhine, Elbe and Danube is a common interest of this cooperation.</p><p>The presentation will give an overview of the current status of EPISODES, show results, and provide an insight into recent developments.</p>