近51年海南岛极端气温事件分析

利用1970—2020年海南岛18个气象站点逐日气温资料和数字高程数据,选取12个适用于研究区的极端气温指数,结合气候倾向率、相关分析等方法,分析了海南岛近51 a极端气温事件时空分布特征,并探讨极端气温事件与海拔、区域的关系。结果表明：近51 a海南岛极端气温冷事件(霜日日数、冷夜日数、冷昼日数、冷持续日数)呈减少趋势,极端气温暖事件(夏日日数、暖夜日数、暖昼日数、热持续日数)呈增加趋势,且增加幅度明显大于冷事件减少的幅度,极端低温阈值和高温阈值、日最高温极小值和极大值以及日最低温极小值和极大值均存在升温倾向,升温幅度在0.25～0.47℃/(10 a)之间;极端气温冷事件的变化趋势与海拔存在显著负相关关系,极端气温暖事件的变化趋势与海拔相关性较小;各极端气温指数在海南岛不同地区变化趋势的方向一致,但变化幅度的空间差异性较大,大部分极端气温指数在中部山区变化最明显,极端低温、高温阈值、霜日日数和夏日日数在南部地区变化幅度小于其他地区。     

土壤湿度年际变化对中国区域极端气候事件模拟的影响研究Ⅱ.敏感性试验分析

利用NCARCAM3.1大气环流模式,设计了有、无土壤湿度年际异常的两组数值试验,探讨了土壤湿度年际异常对极端气候事件模拟的可能影响。结果表明,模式模拟的极端气候事件对土壤湿度异常十分敏感,土壤湿度异常对极端气候指标的多年平均空间分布、年际变率以及年际变化均具有重要影响。当不考虑土壤湿度的年际异常时:(1)模拟的暖夜日数、暖昼日数和热浪持续指数的发生频次在全国范围内均明显减少,而霜冻日数则明显增加。极端降水指标的响应表现出明显的空间差异,极端降水频次在江淮流域明显减小,而极端降水强度则表现为东北减弱、长江流域增强;中雨日数和持续湿期在我国大部分地区减少。(2)极端气温指标的年际变率在我国大部分地区呈减小趋势;而极端降水事件的变化则较为复杂,极端降水频次和极端降水强度的年际变率在长江以南有所增强,而北方地区则有所减弱。中雨日数和持续湿期的年际变率在我国呈现出较为一致的减少趋势。(3)模式对暖夜日数、霜冻日数的年际变化的模拟能力明显下降,并对4个极端降水指标的年际变化的模拟能力在全国多数区域均有不同程度的下降。     

1975—2016年秦巴山区极端气温事件的空间差异性分析

利用秦巴山区88个气象站1975—2016年的逐日气温数据,结合16个极端气温指数分析了秦巴山区极端气温阈值的空间分布及极端气温事件变化趋势的海拔依赖性。结果表明：极端气温阈值存在明显的空间分布差异,表现为极端低温阈值与极端高温阈值由西北向东南均有增温趋势;总体来看,极端气温暖事件（SU25、TR20、TX90P、TN90P、WSDI）增加幅度大于冷事件（FD0、ID0、TX10P、TN10P、CSDI）减少幅度,且变化趋势较冷事件更显著;全区霜冻日数、夏日日数、冷夜日数、暖昼日数及高温极值（TXx、TXn）变化均比较显著;区域作物生长期西部增长趋势较东部显著,多数站点变化幅度在3~6 d/10a之间;海拔越高发生极端低温事件的气温越低,极端低温阈值变化趋势为-0.36℃/100m;海拔越低发生极端高温事件的气温越高,极端高温变化趋势达0.5℃/100m,且均通过99%的信度检验;区域极端气温极值指数的变化趋势与海拔呈显著正相关,具有明显的海拔依赖性,表现为海拔越高,极值指数增加趋势越明显。     

近60年青藏高原东北缘极端气温事件与气温日较差分析——以西宁地区为例

根据1955-2015年西宁气象站逐日气温资料,通过线性倾向估计等分析方法,选取14个极端气温指数,分析西宁地区近60年极端气温事件与气温日较差的时间变化趋势及二者的相关性,并与全国其他区域进行对比。结果表明:(1)近60年来,西宁地区的14个极端气温指数都呈现不同程度的变化,热指数夏日日数、暖夜日数、暖昼日数、作物生长期和热持续指数等分别以2. 07,0. 72,1. 49,2. 57和0. 87 d·(10a)~(-1)的趋势增加,而冷指数冰冻日数、霜日日数、冷夜日数、冷昼日数和冷持续指数分别以-2. 42,-0. 29,-0. 33,-1. 3和-0. 31 d·(10a)~(-1)的趋势减小。极端气温极值指数中,日最高气温的极低值、日最低气温的极低值、日最高气温的极高值、日最低气温的极高值分别为0. 51,0. 17,0. 35和0. 15℃·(10a)~(-1)的趋势增加。(2)在变化趋势中,日最高气温的极低值、日最高气温的极高值、冰冻日数、夏日日数、冷昼日数、暖昼日数、作物生长期和热持续日数的变化趋势为达到0. 01或0. 05的显著性水平。(3)表征极端气温事件热指数与冷指数、昼指数与夜指数的变化幅度均显示出明显的非对称性。(4)过去60年西宁地区平均全年与春夏秋冬四季的气温日较差都呈现增加趋势,增长率分别为0. 25,0. 27,0. 21,0. 15和0. 36℃·(10a)~(-1),该地区的14个极端气温指数的变化均不同程度影响到平均全年与四季气温日较差,其中,极端气温绝对指数和相对指数与气温日较差的相关性最强,对气温日较差影响显著。(5)青藏高原东北缘极端气温事件与气温日较差具有特殊性,可能受多气候系统控制和特殊地形等因素影响。     

中国未来极端气温变化的概率预估及其不确定性

本文基于第五次耦合模式比较计划的23个全球气候模式所提供的最高气温与最低气温在RCP4.5情景下的逐日格点资料,根据模式对5个极端气温指数的模拟能力,使用秩加权方法研究了中国未来极端气温变化的概率预估及其不确定性。结果表明,21世纪中期(2046—2065年)中国区域平均最高气温和平均最低气温的增加幅度相对于历史时期(1986—2005年)可能超过2.0℃(概率66%),增加的大值区主要位于青藏高原南部。暖夜指数在中国大部分地区增加超过15%,西南和东南部沿海是增加的大值区,增幅超过20%。霜冻日数在全国范围内减少,减少的大值区位于青藏高原周围,减少日数超过了20 d。热浪指数在整个中国区域可能增加10 d以上,大值区位于西藏西南部,可达30 d。不确定性的结果表明,除热浪指数的可信度较低外,其余指数都有较高的可信度。到21世纪末期(2081—2100年),中国区域极端气温增加幅度超过前期,平均最高气温和平均最低气温很可能增加超过2.0℃(概率大于90%),大值区除中国西部地区外,还扩展到了东北和青藏高原西南地区。中国大部分地区的暖夜指数增加超过15%,西南和南部沿海可能超过25%。大部分地区的霜冻日数减少20 d,青藏高原周围减少超过40 d。热浪指数在中国范围内增加20 d,青藏高原西南部增加40 d以上。除霜冻指数的信噪比略比21世纪中期大外,其余指数的信噪比与中期基本一致。     

基于多区域模式集合的中国西部干旱区极端温度未来预估

利用CORDEX-EA计划11个区域模式模拟结果,集合预估了中国西部干旱区16个极端温度指数未来的变化趋势及空间分布。结果表明:1)区域模式基本上能够再现近30 a西部干旱区极端温度的空间分布。2)多模式集合预估的西部干旱区21世纪中期霜冻日数(FD)和冰封日数(ID)呈现显著的下降趋势,而热夜日数(TR)和夏季日数(SU)则呈现明显的上升趋势。3)未来异常暖昼持续指数(WSDI)和生长期(GSL)呈现增加趋势,异常冷昼持续指数(CSDI)和日较差(DTR)则呈现下降趋势。4)未来气候增温导致冷昼日数(TX90p)、暖夜日数(TN90p)增加,而暖昼日数(TX10p)和冷夜日数(TN10p)减少。5)未来月最高温度极大值(TXx)、月最低温度极大值(TNx)、月最高温度极小值(TXn)和月最低温度极小值(TNn)都呈现增加的趋势。因此,西部干旱区未来发生极端低温事件的概率减小,发生极端高温事件的概率则会增大,但不同的极端温度指数变化的空间分布并不均一,存在明显的区域差异。     

CMIP6模式对青藏高原极端气温指数模拟能力评估及预估

利用第六次国际耦合模式比较计划（CMIP6）28个全球气候模式模拟的历史和多SSP排放情景下的模拟结果以及国家气候中心制作的CN05.1格点化的观测数据,在评估28个全球气候模式对青藏高原极端气温相关指数模拟效果的基础上,预估了多个SSP情景下青藏高原未来极端气温指数的变化趋势。评估结果表明多模式集合平均模拟结果更稳定,且能模拟出极端气温指数的时间分布以及空间分布特征,但与观测相比,不同指数存在不同偏差。预估结果表明,相对于1995-2014年,青藏高原上日最高气温最高值（TXx）、日最低气温最低值（TNn）、暖昼指数（TX90p）未来呈上升趋势,霜冻日数（FD）、冰冻日数（ID）、冷夜指数（TN10p）呈减少趋势,其中高原极端低温比极端高温增温明显,暖昼指数在高原西南部增加明显,霜冻日数、冰冻日数、冷夜指数在高原东南部减少明显。SSP1-1.9情景下,极端气温指数在21世纪的变化幅度较小,随着辐射强迫增大,指数的变化趋势也增大。SSP1-2.6情景下,2030年前中国实现碳达峰时,青藏高原地区TXx、 TNn、 TX90p增长分别不超过1.12℃、0.84℃、 8.4%, FD、 I...     

中国大陆1956～2008年极端气温事件变化特征分析

利用446个国家级气象站1956～2008年共53年的日最高、最低气温资料,分析了我国大陆地区气温极端事件的变化规律。结果表明,中国大陆地区霜冻日数和结冰日数明显减少,减少显著的区域集中在北方,夏季日数和炎热夜数明显增多,增多显著的区域主要在中东部。日最高(低)气温的极大(小)值整体都有上升趋势,最高(低)气温的极大值在北方上升较明显,而在长江中下游和西南地区有下降的趋势;最高(低)气温的极小值则在全国范围都呈明显上升,极端最低气温上升尤为显著,在北方大部分地区升温速率达1.0℃·(10a)-1以上。冷夜(昼)日数普遍明显减少,53年中减少趋势为7.9d·(10a)-1[2.8d·(10a)-1];暖夜(昼)日数明显增加,增加趋势为7.0d·(10a)-1[4.1d·(10a)-1]。冷夜(昼)日数减少主要发生在冬季,其次是春、秋季,而暖昼和暖夜日数增加最显著的季节分别出现在秋季和夏季。从转折时间上看,绝对指数和极值指数的冷指数是从20世纪80年代中后期开始显著减少的,暖指数显著增加的时间则推迟到20世纪90年代中期。但相对指数的冷指和暖指都是在20世纪80年代中后期开始显著变化的。     

武汉市气候变暖与极端天气事件变化的归因分析

根据武汉市1951—2007年间年平均、最高、最低气温与8类年极端天气日数的序列,计算分析其变化趋势及年平均气温与极端天气日数的相关性,引入格兰杰因果性检验法,探讨气候变暖与极端天气事件之间的因果关系。结果发现:(1)近57年来武汉市年平均最低气温增幅为0.45℃/10a,明显高于年平均最高气温0.19℃/10a的增幅,可见气候变暖主要是由夜间气温升高所致;(2)高温和闷热天气事件为增多趋势,其中闷热天气事件最明显,达到2.8 d/10a,而年雷暴、降雪、低温、大风、雾日则均为下降趋势,雷暴、雾和低温事件降幅明显,每10年减少3.0 d、4.0 d和2.1 d。大风和降雪事件,每10年减少1.8 d和1.5 d。暴雨事件波动幅度较小。(3)年平均气温与当年及超前、滞后1～2年的极端天气事件具有高相关性;(4)格兰杰因果性检验结果发现,气候变暖是闷热天气增多和降雪事件减少的原因,同时亦是大风和低温减少的结果。这种因果关系的存在对极端天气事件预测和预估有重要的价值。     

1960年以来藏东南地区气温和降水的变化特征

利用1960年以来藏东南地区27个气象站逐日的气温和降水数据,采用线性倾向率法、 Mann-Kendall检验、小波分析、极端气候指数等方法,研究藏东南地区气候变化特征。结果表明：(1)藏东南地区年平均气温、年最低气温和年最高气温均呈明显的增加趋势,升幅为0.29～0.43℃·(10a)^-1。季节尺度上冬季增温最为明显。年降水量整体上呈增加趋势,线性趋势为6.66 mm·(10a)^-1,其中夏、秋季呈减少态势,冬、春季呈增加态势。(2)气温和降水存在多个周期变化特征,在大时间尺度上均存在28年变化周期。(3)平均气温、最高气温和最低气温分别在1994年、 2001年和1992年发生突变,降水量在1979年发生突变。(4)表征极端气温增暖的指数(极端最高气温TXx、极端最低气温TNn、最高气温极小值TNx、最低气温极大值TXn)均呈增加趋势,高温事件频率指数(暖昼日数TX90p、暖夜日数TN90p)呈上升趋势,低温事件频率指数(冷昼日数TX10p、冷夜日数TN10p)呈减小趋势。高温事件持续性指数WSDI呈增大趋势,低温事件持续性指数CSDI呈...     

Assessing future climate changes and extreme indicators in east and south Asia using the RegCM4 regional climate model

This paper assesses future climate changes over East and South Asia using a regional climate model (RegCM4) with a 50?km spatial resolution. To evaluate the model performance, RegCM4 is driven with ??perfect boundary forcing?? from the reanalysis data during 1970?C1999 to simulate the present day climate. The model performs well in reproducing not only the mean climate and seasonality but also most of the chosen indicators of climate extremes. Future climate changes are evaluated based on two experiments driven with boundary forcing from the European-Hamburg general climate model (ECHAM5), one for the present (1970?C1999) and one for the SRES A1B future scenario (2070?C2099). The model predicts an annual temperature increase of about 3°?C5° (smaller over the ocean and larger over the land), and an increase of annual precipitation over most of China north of 30°N and a decrease or little change in the rest of China, India and Indochina. For temperature-related extreme indicators in the future, the model predicts a generally longer growing season, more hot days in summer, and less frost days in winter. For precipitation-related extremes, the number of days with more than 10?mm of rainfall is predicted to increase north of 30°N and decrease in the south, and the maximum five-day rainfall amount and daily intensity will increase across the whole model domain. In addition, the maximum number of consecutive dry days is predicted to increase over most of the model domain, south of 40°N. Most of the Yangtze River Basin in China stands out as ??hotspots?? of extreme precipitation changes, with the strongest increases of daily rain intensity, maximum five-day rain amount, and the number of consecutive dry days, suggesting increased risks of both floods and droughts.     

基于统计降尺度模型的江淮流域极端气候的模拟与预估

利用江淮流域29个代表站点1961--2000年逐日最高温度、最低温度和逐日降水资料,以及NCEP逐日大尺度环流场资料,引入基于多元线性回归与随机天气发生器相结合的统计降尺度模型SDSM（statistical downscalingmodel）,通过对每个站点建模,确立SDSM参数,并将该模型应用于SRESA2排放情景下HadCM3和cGcM3模式,得到了江淮流域各代表台站21世纪的逐日最高、最低温度和降水序列以及热浪、霜冻、强降水等极端气候指数。结果表明,当前气候下,统计降尺度方法模拟的极端温度指数与观测值有很好的一致性,能有效纠正耦合模式的“冷偏差”,如SDSM对江淮平均的冬季最高、最低温度的模拟偏差较CGCM3模式分别减少3℃和4．5℃。对于极端降水则能显著纠正耦合模式模拟的降水强度偏低的问题,如CGCM3对江淮流域夏季降水强度的模拟偏差为-60．6％,但降尺度后SDSM—CGCM3的偏差仅为-6％,说明降尺度模型SDSM的确有“增加值”的作用。21世纪末期在未来SRESA2情景下,对于极端温度,无论Had．CM3还是CGCM3模式驱动统计模型,江淮流域所有代表台站,各个季节的最高、最低温度都显著增加,且以夏季最为显著,增幅在2—4℃;与之相应霜冻天数将大幅减少,热浪天数大幅增多,各站点冬季霜冻天数减少幅度为5—25d,夏季热浪天数增加幅度为4～14d;对于极端降水指数,在两个不同耦合模式HadCM3和CGCM3驱动下的变化尤其是变化幅度的一致性比温度差,但大部分站点各个季节极端强降水事件将增多,强度增强,SDSM—HadCM3和SDSM-CGCM3预估的夏季极端降水贡献率将分别增加26％和27％。     

RegCM4对华北区域21世纪气候变化预估研究

利用国家气候中心完成的RegCM4区域气候模式在RCP4.5和RCP8.5两种排放路径下的气候变化动力降尺度试验结果,在检验模式对基准期(1986—2005年)气温和降水模拟能力基础上,进行华北区域21世纪气候变化预估分析。结果表明:RegCM4对华北区域基准期气温和降水的模拟能力较好。未来21世纪,两种情景下华北区域气温、降水、持续干期(consecutive dry days, CDD)和强降水量(R95p)变化逐渐增大,但变化幅度在高排放的RCP8.5情景下更为显著,其中近期(2021—2035年)、中期(2046—2065年)、远期(2080—2098年)RCP8.5情景下年平均气温分别升高1.77、3.44、5.82℃,年平均降水分别增加8.1%、14%、19.3%,CDD分别减少3、3、12 d, R95p分别增加30.8%、41.9%、69.8%。空间上,未来21世纪华北区域内年、冬季、夏季平均气温将一致升高,夏季升温幅度最大;年、冬季、夏季平均降水整体以增加为主,冬季降水增加幅度最大;CDD以减少为主,但近期和中期在山西和京津冀有所增加,而R95p以增加为主,表明21世纪华北区域干旱事件逐渐减少、极端降水事件不断增加。     

华北地区未来气候变化的高分辨率数值模拟

使用20km高水平分辨率的区域气候模式RegCM3,单向嵌套FvGCM/CCM3全球模式,进行了中国区域气候变化的数值模拟试验,分析华北地区夏半年4-9月的气温、降水和高温、干旱事件的变化。模式积分时间分为两个时段,分别为当代的1961-1990年和在IPCC SRES A2温室气体排放情景下的21世纪末2071-2100年。模式检验结果表明:在大部分月份,区域模式对当代气候的模拟都较全球模式更好。两个模式模拟的未来气温和降水变化,在空间分布型和量级上都有一定不同,如区域模式的升温更高,降水出现大范围减少等。此外,使用日最高气温不低于35℃的日数(D_(T35))和考虑了湿度因素的炎热指数(I_(H))不低于35℃的日数(D_(H135)),分析了区域模式模拟的未来高温事件变化,结果表明:未来华北地区D_(T35)和平原地区D_(H135)均有较大增加。未来华北地区的连续干旱日数(CDD)将增加,依照UNEP(United Nations Environment Programme)干旱指数(A_(U))给出的气候湿润区将有较大幅度减少,而半湿润半干旱区和半干旱区面积将增加。     

Comparison of regional climate model and statistical downscaling simulations of different winter precipitation change scenarios over Romania

Summary Regional climate model and statistical downscaling procedures are used to generate winter precipitation changes over Romania for the period 2071–2100 (compared to 1961–1990), under the IPCC A2 and B2 emission scenarios. For this purpose, the ICTP regional climate model RegCM is nested within the Hadley Centre global atmospheric model HadAM3H. The statistical downscaling method is based on the use of canonical correlation analysis (CCA) to construct climate change scenarios for winter precipitation over Romania from two predictors, sea level pressure and specific humidity (either used individually or together). A technique to select the most skillful model separately for each station is proposed to optimise the statistical downscaling signal. Climate fields from the A2 and B2 scenario simulations with the HadAM3H and RegCM models are used as input to the statistical downscaling model. First, the capability of the climate models to reproduce the observed link between winter precipitation over Romania and atmospheric circulation at the European scale is analysed, showing that the RegCM is more accurate than HadAM3H in the simulation of Romanian precipitation variability and its connection with large-scale circulations. Both models overestimate winter precipitation in the eastern regions of Romania due to an overestimation of the intensity and frequency of cyclonic systems over Europe. Climate changes derived directly from the RegCM and HadAM3H show an increase of precipitation during the 2071–2100 period compared to 1961–1990, especially over northwest and northeast Romania. Similar climate change patterns are obtained through the statistical downscaling method when the technique of optimum model selected separately for each station is used. This adds confidence to the simulated climate change signal over this region. The uncertainty of results is higher for the eastern and southeastern regions of Romania due to the lower HadAM3H and RegCM performance in simulating winter precipitation variability there as well as the reduced skill of the statistical downscaling model.     

QM和QDM方法对中国极端气候的高分辨率气候变化模拟的误差订正对比

采用分位数映射（Quantile Mapping, QM）和delta分位数映射（Quantile Delta Mapping, QDM）两种误差订正方法对区域气候模式RegCM4在中国区域内模拟的逐日气温和降水数据进行订正。模式数据是5种不同全球气候模式驱动下的区域模式气候变化模拟结果。计算订正前后的极端气候指数进行对比分析,包括日最高气温极大值（TXx）、日最低气温极小值（TNn）、连续干旱日数（CDD）和最大日降水量（RX1day）。结果表明,5组模拟结果和其集合平均（ensR）都显示气温指数的模拟效果高于降水指数,其中对TXx模拟最好,对CDD的模拟最差;经过订正后,针对不同模式的两种订正结果都能够有效地减小模式与观测的偏差并提高了空间相关系数,且两种方法的订正效果无明显差别。对RCP4.5情景下未来变化的分析中,QM在一定程度上改变了模式模拟的未来变化幅度和空间分布特征,QDM则能够有效地保留所有极端指数的气候变化信号。从全国平均来看,除CDD外,所有指数未来都呈现增加趋势,且QDM订正结果与订正前模式模拟的变化趋势更为接近。建议在气候变化模拟的误差订正中采用QDM方法。     

Simulation of extreme precipitation indices in the Yangtze River basin by using statistical downscaling method (SDSM)

In this study, the applicability of the statistical downscaling model (SDSM) in modeling five extreme precipitation indices including R10 (no. of days with precipitation ≥10?mm?day^?1), SDI (simple daily intensity), CDD (maximum number of consecutive dry days), R1d (maximum 1-day precipitation total) and R5d (maximum 5-day precipitation total) in the Yangtze River basin, China was investigated. The investigation mainly includes the calibration and validation of SDSM model on downscaling daily precipitation, the validation of modeling extreme precipitation indices using independent period of the NCEP reanalysis data, and the projection of future regional scenarios of extreme precipitation indices. The results showed that: (1) there existed good relationship between the observed and simulated extreme precipitation indices during validation period of 1991–2000, the amount and the change pattern of extreme precipitation indices could be reasonably simulated by SDSM. (2) Under both scenarios A2 and B2, during the projection period of 2010–2099, the changes of annual mean extreme precipitation indices in the Yangtze River basin would be not obvious in 2020s; while slightly increase in the 2050s; and significant increase in the 2080s as compared to the mean values of the base period. The summer might be the more distinct season with more projected increase of each extreme precipitation indices than in other seasons. And (3) there would be distinctive spatial distribution differences for the change of annual mean extreme precipitation indices in the river basin, but the most of Yangtze River basin would be dominated by the increasing trend.     

Multimodel ensemble projections of future climate extreme changes in the Haihe River Basin,China

Exploring the characteristic of the extreme climatic events, especially future projection is considerably important in assessing the impacts of climatic change on hydrology and water resources system. We investigate the future patterns of climate extremes (2001–2099) in the Haihe River Basin (HRB) derived from Coupled General Circulation Model (CGCM) multimodel ensemble projections using the Bayesian Model Average (BMA) approach, under a range of emission scenarios. The extremes are depicted by three extreme temperature indices (i.e., frost days (FD), growing season length (GSL), and T _min >90th percentile (TN90)) and five extreme precipitation indices (i.e., consecutive dry days (CDD), precipitation ≥10 mm (R10), maximum 5-day precipitation total (R5D), precipitation >95th percentile (R95T), and simple daily intensity index (SDII)). The results indicate frost days display negative trend over the HRB in the 21st century, particularly in the southern basin. Moreover, a greater season length and more frequent warm nights are also projected in the basin. The decreasing CDD, together with the increasing R10, R5D, R95T, and SDII in the 21st century indicate that the extreme precipitation events will increase in their intensity and frequency in the basin. Meanwhile, the changes of all eight extremes climate indices under A2 and A1B scenarios are more pronounced than in B1. The results will be of practical significance in mitigation of the detrimental effects of variations of climatic extremes and improve the regional strategy for water resource and eco-environment management, particularly for the HRB characterized by the severe water shortages and fragile ecological environment.     

A regional climate model downscaling projection of China future climate change

Climate changes over China from the present (1990–1999) to future (2046–2055) under the A1FI (fossil fuel intensive) and A1B (balanced) emission scenarios are projected using the Regional Climate Model version 3 (RegCM3) nests with the National Center for Atmospheric Research (NCAR) Community Climate System Model (CCSM). For the present climate, RegCM3 downscaling corrects several major deficiencies in the driving CCSM, especially the wet and cold biases over the Sichuan Basin. As compared with CCSM, RegCM3 produces systematic higher spatial pattern correlation coefficients with observations for precipitation and surface air temperature except during winter. The projected future precipitation changes differ largely between CCSM and RegCM3, with strong regional and seasonal dependence. The RegCM3 downscaling produces larger regional precipitation trends (both decreases and increases) than the driving CCSM. Contrast to substantial trend differences projected by CCSM, RegCM3 produces similar precipitation spatial patterns under different scenarios except autumn. Surface air temperature is projected to consistently increase by both CCSM and RegCM3, with greater warming under A1FI than A1B. The result demonstrates that different scenarios can induce large uncertainties even with the same RCM-GCM nesting system. Largest temperature increases are projected in the Tibetan Plateau during winter and high-latitude areas in the northern China during summer under both scenarios. This indicates that high elevation and northern regions are more vulnerable to climate change. Notable discrepancies for precipitation and surface air temperature simulated by RegCM3 with the driving conditions of CCSM versus the model for interdisciplinary research on climate under the same A1B scenario further complicated the uncertainty issue. The geographic distributions for precipitation difference among various simulations are very similar between the present and future climate with very high spatial pattern correlation coefficients. The result suggests that the model present climate biases are systematically propagate into the future climate projections. The impacts of the model present biases on projected future trends are, however, highly nonlinear and regional specific, and thus cannot be simply removed by a linear method. A model with more realistic present climate simulations is anticipated to yield future climate projections with higher credibility.     

Potential increase of flood hazards in Korea due to global warming from a high-resolution regional climate simulation

Because of the importance of the changes in the hydrologic cycle, accurate assessment of precipitation characteristics is essential to understand the impact of climate change due to global warming. This study investigates the changes in extreme precipitation with sub-daily and daily temporal scales. For a fine-scale climate change projection focusing on the Korean peninsula (20 km), we performed the dynamical downscaling of the global climate scenario covering the period 1971?C2100 (130-year) simulated by the Max-Planck-Institute global climate model, ECHAM5, using the latest version of the International Centre for Theoretical Physics (ICTP) regional climate model, RegCM3. While annual mean precipitation exhibits a pronounced interannual and interdecadal variability, with the increasing or decreasing trend repeated during a certain period, extreme precipitation with sub-daily and daily temporal scales estimated from the generalized extreme value distribution shows consistently increasing pattern. The return period of extreme precipitation is significantly reduced despite the decreased annual mean precipitation at the end of 21^st century. The decreased relatively weak precipitation is responsible for the decreased total precipitation, so that the decreased total precipitation does not necessarily mean less heavy precipitation. Climate change projection based on the ECHAM5-RegCM3 model chain clearly shows the effect of global warming in increasing the intensity and frequency of extreme precipitation, even without significantly increased total precipitation, which implies an increased risk for flood hazards.