Probability Density Function (PDF)

Probability Distribution Function (PDF) plots are one of the image outputs that can be used to visualise the UKCP09 probabilistic climate projections. A PDF shows the probability associated with an exact amount of change.

In detail

PDF plots show probabilistic climate projections or probabilistic climate change projections for a particular climate variable, spatial location, time period, temporal average, emissions scenario and probability level.

• Some pre-prepared PDF plots are used to illustrate the UKCP09 reports. Customised PDF plots can be creating by building a request in the UKCP09 User Interface.

• PDF plots are explained in more detail in the Reports & guidance section.

• An overview of how probabilistic projections are created and presented in UKCP09 is described in Box 3 of the UKCP09 Briefing report. More details are provided in Chapter 3 of the UKCP09 Climate change projections report, including an overview of the methodology in Section 3.2.12 and discussion about the interpretation of UKCP09 probabilistic projections in Section 3.3.

• A discussion of sources of uncertainty in the UKCP09 probabilistic projections is available in Annex 2.4.

Find out more

• The UKCP09 User Interface Manual – Request Builder