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This month, we want to tell you all about the brand-new statistically downscaled CMIP6 data just released on ClimateData.ca. These new data constitute a major update to the site, so there’s a lot to unpack.
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The Coupled Model Intercomparison Project (CMIP) is a climate modelling collaboration that aims to increase our understanding of climate change. It has been running since the 1990s and involves the participation of many international research organizations. The climate model data from the most recent phase of CMIP, known as CMIP6, was featured prominently the latest IPCC assessment reports.
Statistical downscaling is the process of using statistical techniques to adjust the resolution of global climate model data to a more local or regional scale, making it more applicable to specific geographic locations. In this specific case, the data has been downscaled to a grid approximately 10 by 6 km in resolution. Just like the previous-generation downscaled CMIP5 data on ClimateData.ca, the new data is available for a range of variables, including temperature and precipitation, and covers a range of time periods, from the 1950’s to the end of this century.
Learn more about the data and methods on ClimateData.ca here…
The CMIP6 dataset is now the default option on ClimateData.ca. It has been seamlessly integrated across the website, meaning the way you access and view data on ClimateData.ca won’t need to change.
Why don’t you start by exploring the map. You can zoom in on the map until the grid appears, at which point you can click on the map to access the underpinning data.
Already know what you’re looking for? You can download the new CMIP6 data here.
CMIP6 also introduced shared socio-economic pathways, or SSPs, more broadly to the climate adaptation community.
Shared socio-economic pathways (SSPs) are a set of scenarios developed to explore the potential social and economic changes that could occur over the 21st century. These scenarios are used to inform climate modeling and projections of future greenhouse gas emissions. They replace the previous generation of scenarios, known as RCPs.
There are five SSPs, each of which represents a different trajectory of social and economic development over the 21st century. These pathways are based on a range of assumptions about population growth, technological change, economic development, and other factors that could influence future greenhouse gas emissions. ClimateData.ca provides data for three different SSPs: SSP1-2.6 (Sustainable Development), SSP2-4.5 (Middle of the Road), and SSP5-8.5 (Fossil-Fueled Development).
If you wish to view the CMIP5 data, you can do so by using the toggle options found on the variable and location pages. Both the CMIP6 and CMIP5 datasets have been downscaled and bias-adjusted using the BCCAQv2 methodology, and are available at the same spatial scale.
The ClimateData.ca team recommends that you use CMIP6 for new work requiring future climate projections. For prior work based on CMIP5 projections, we recommend comparing CMIP5 with
CMIP6 to determine if updates may be required. New CMIP projections are generally available on a 5-8 year cycle: as new climate projections become available, they should be incorporated into the adaptation cycle.
The Learning Zone on ClimateData.ca is getting a major upgrade this year. Over the next few months you’ll find more articles that are tailored to different learning levels and learning outcomes.
We’re putting the final touches on a set of articles related to future weather files. If you’re not sure what a ‘future weather file’ is and would like to learn more now then check out our latest blog article on the subject.
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