Author(s): MAIA, A. de H. N.; HAMADA, E.; GONDIM, R. S.

Summary: General Circulation Models (GCMs) are numerical models developed to represent physical processes in the atmosphere, ocean, cryosphere and land surface. They constitute the most advanced tool currently available for simulating future climate scenarios as a response to increasing greenhouse gas concentrations. GCMs, possibly in conjunction with nested regional climate models (RCMs), have the potential to provide consistent estimates of regional climate change which are required in climate impact assessments. The characterization of model bias in terms of magnitude and spatial patterns is part of the process of evaluating the model performance via hindcast skill analysis, an important preliminary step in climate change impact assessments. In this paper, we discuss how Model Based Geostatistics can be applied for exploring bias patterns, key information for performing bias correction of GCM or RCM projections in future time slices. As example, we present an assessment of annual rainfall projection bias for three GCMs across the Northeast Brazil.

Publication year: 2013

Types of publication: Paper in annals and proceedings

Unit: Embrapa Environment

Keywords: Clima, Climate change, General Circulation Models, Gestatistics, Modelo de simulação