11-member RCM
The 11-member RCM data is created from simulations using an ensemble of eleven variants of the HadRM3 model. HadRM3 was used to dynamically downscale the global climate model results as part of UKCP09.
Although it is a by-product of UKCP09, the 11-member RCM data is not considered to be part of the Projections. The 11 ensemble members are available through the Climate Impacts LINK project website (free registration required) rather than via the UKCP09 User Interface. The RCM data is not as readily accessible as the UKCP09 information, and does not have as much user support.
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The 11-member RCM data provides projections for:
- Daily absolute climate (i.e. not climate changes)
- Individual 25 km grid squares
- A continuous time period of 1950-2099
- One emissions scenario (AIB medium emissions scenario)
The data is available in
.csvand
netCDFformat.
Wind variables are available at a number of levels, in particular at 10 m, where the user can choose between daily-average westerly (u) and southerly (v) components, or the true daily average windspeed. See this FAQ for all of the variables.
- To perform studies that require spatial and temporal coherency.
- To investigate climate variability.
- To perform trends analyses.
- To perform studies that require variables unavailable from UKCP09.
- Projections at a higher resolution than a global climate model.
- An improved representation of climate variability.
- Continuous (transient) climate projections.
- Daily data.
- Grid squares that are spatially and temporally coherent.
- A larger number of variables.
- That sources of uncertainty represented by the other IPCC models and internal structural processes will not contribute much extra uncertainty.
- That each of the 11 runs of the RCM are equally plausible.
- That the medium emissions scenario is adequate for decision making.
- It is not available in a user-friendly format.
- There are model biases from the historical simulations.
- Enhanced detail in the projections should not be taken to imply higher accuracy.
- The RCM output cannot be used in conjunction with the UKCP09 probabilistic output.
- They do not incorporate the full range of uncertainty available through the UKCP09 projections.
- Modelling uncertainty.
- Natural climate variability.
- Emissions uncertainty.
- For more information on the 11-member RCM see Chapter 5 of the Climate change projections report.
- More information about the 11-member RCM on the BADC website on the LINK website.
- See this FAQ for details of the variables from the 11-member RCM.
- For more information on uncertainty see Chapter 1, Chapter 2 and Chapter 3 of the Climate change projections report.
- Worked examples of use can be found in the Case studies section.
- Last updated: Tuesday, 17 July 2012