Assessing the regional variability of GCM simulations

While General Circulation Models (GCM) generally converge well at the global level, results for individual regions usually show a wide range of variation. This study assesses the performance of seventeen GCMs regarding their simulation of temperature and precipitation based on hindcasts for the peri...

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Autores principales: Xueliang Cai, Wang, D., Zhu, T., Ringler, Claudia
Formato: Journal Article
Lenguaje:Inglés
Publicado: American Geophysical Union 2009
Acceso en línea:https://hdl.handle.net/10568/21526
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author Xueliang Cai
Wang, D.
Zhu, T.
Ringler, Claudia
author_browse Ringler, Claudia
Wang, D.
Xueliang Cai
Zhu, T.
author_facet Xueliang Cai
Wang, D.
Zhu, T.
Ringler, Claudia
author_sort Xueliang Cai
collection Repository of Agricultural Research Outputs (CGSpace)
description While General Circulation Models (GCM) generally converge well at the global level, results for individual regions usually show a wide range of variation. This study assesses the performance of seventeen GCMs regarding their simulation of temperature and precipitation based on hindcasts for the periods of 1961–1990 and 1931–1960. Skill scores are plotted on a 2° × 2° grid to present “zones” of GCM performance. An overlay of these skill score maps with global climate zones, land cover, and elevation maps shows correlations between GCM performance and the distribution of these geographic variables. No GCM is superior in predicting temperature or precipitation for the whole world, although some GCMs score better in particular regions. For researchers working with GCM results and policymakers who need to make decisions based on GCM projections, the skill score maps may provide useful guidance; while for GCM developers, the skill score maps may open areas for further study to improve their models.
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spelling CGSpace215262025-12-08T09:54:28Z Assessing the regional variability of GCM simulations Xueliang Cai Wang, D. Zhu, T. Ringler, Claudia While General Circulation Models (GCM) generally converge well at the global level, results for individual regions usually show a wide range of variation. This study assesses the performance of seventeen GCMs regarding their simulation of temperature and precipitation based on hindcasts for the periods of 1961–1990 and 1931–1960. Skill scores are plotted on a 2° × 2° grid to present “zones” of GCM performance. An overlay of these skill score maps with global climate zones, land cover, and elevation maps shows correlations between GCM performance and the distribution of these geographic variables. No GCM is superior in predicting temperature or precipitation for the whole world, although some GCMs score better in particular regions. For researchers working with GCM results and policymakers who need to make decisions based on GCM projections, the skill score maps may provide useful guidance; while for GCM developers, the skill score maps may open areas for further study to improve their models. 2009-01 2012-08-02T12:58:55Z 2012-08-02T12:58:55Z Journal Article https://hdl.handle.net/10568/21526 en Open Access American Geophysical Union Cai, X., Wang, D., Zhu, T. and Ringler, C. 2009. Assessing the regional variability of GCM simulations Geophys. Res. Lett. 36(2): 6p. doi:https://doi.org/10.1029/2008gl036443
spellingShingle Xueliang Cai
Wang, D.
Zhu, T.
Ringler, Claudia
Assessing the regional variability of GCM simulations
title Assessing the regional variability of GCM simulations
title_full Assessing the regional variability of GCM simulations
title_fullStr Assessing the regional variability of GCM simulations
title_full_unstemmed Assessing the regional variability of GCM simulations
title_short Assessing the regional variability of GCM simulations
title_sort assessing the regional variability of gcm simulations
url https://hdl.handle.net/10568/21526
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