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What should I use it for?

  • To explore current climate vulnerabilities and risks, including its recent evolution

Observed gridded climate datasets can be used to explore current climate vulnerabilities and risks and their evolution over the period of record (e.g. are risks and vulnerabilities decreasing or increasing). This information can also be used to establish a baseline from which changes in risk and vulnerabilities in future periods can be assessed.

Care should be taken to consider the length of available record when using the observed climate datasets as not all variables are available for the same period of record.

Users are encouraged to review the UKCIP Risk, uncertainty and decision making framework and UKCIP Adaptation Wizard for guidance on how to assess current vulnerabilities and risks.

  • To explore adaptation strategies and options in the context of current climate risks

Observed gridded climate datasets can be used to examine the current adaptation deficit and its evolution (is the deficit growing or diminishing over the period of record).

Care should be taken to consider the length of available record when using the observed climate datasets as not all variable are available for the same period of record.

Users are encouraged to review the UKCIP Risk, uncertainty and decision making framework , Adaptation Wizard and other adaptation guidance on the UKCIP website for guidance and further support on assessing the need for adaptation.

  • As a basis for understanding the validity of climates generated by the UKCP09 Weather Generator

When exploring extremes or derived indices using the UKCP09 Weather Generator, users should assess the performance of the generated time series. One recommended approach of doing this begins with validating the Weather Generator baseline performance by first using observed data, and then subsequently assessing impacts using projected changes relative to the Weather Generator baseline series. Users should bear in mind any bias between observations and the Weather Generator baseline apparent.

For further information, user should refer to the UKCP09 Weather Generator report.

  • To explore adaptation strategies and options in the context of responding to projected climate risks

Observed gridded climate datasets can be used to establish a baseline from which further adaptation measures can be developed and assessed.

Care should be taken to consider the length of available record when using the observed climate datasets as not all variables are available for the same period of record.

Users are encouraged to review the UKCIP Risk, uncertainty and decision making framework , Adaptation Wizard and other adaptation guidance on the UKCIP website for guidance and further support on assessing the need for adaptation.