Mean Maximum Summer Temperature (deg. C) for Northeast, Projected for 2010-2080, RCP8.5, Ensemble GCM Results
Dataset Identification:
Resource Abstract:
To evaluate the potential effects of climate change on wildlife habitat and ecological integrity in the northeastern United
States from 2010 to 2080, a University of Massachusetts Amherst team derived a set of climate projections at a fine spatial
resolution for the entire Northeast. The projections are based upon publicly available climate models.This dataset represents
the mean of the maximum air temperature (degrees C) for June, July, and August for the year 2010 using one of two IPCC greenhouse
gas concentration scenarios (RCP8.5). The dataset is intended to represent typical summer temperatures in the decade centered
on 2010 rather than the actual temperatures during 2010. MAP UNITS ARE TEMP. IN DEGREES C MULTIPLIED BY 100 (which allows
for more efficient data storage). <div> <br />Detailed documentation for all of the UMass climate datasets is available from:
http://jamba.provost.ads.umass.edu/web/lcc/DSL_documentation_climate.pdf . </div> <div> <br /> </div> <div> The
climate work is part of the Designing Sustainable Landscapes project led by Professor Kevin McGarigal of UMass Amherst and
sponsored by the North Atlantic Landscape Conservation Cooperative; for more information about the entire project see: http://www.umass.edu/landeco/research/nalcc/nalcc.html
<br /> <br /> </div> <div> The dataset was derived from the following sources: <br /> <br /> </div> <div> - An average or
ensemble of results from 14 Atmospheric-Ocean Circulation Models (AOGCMs) publicly available from the World Climate Research
Programme's (WCRP) Coupled Model Intercomparison Project phase 5 (CMIP5). These complex models produce long-term climate projections
by integrating oceanic and atmospheric processes. The results have been downscaled (projected to a finer resolution) using
the Bias Corrected Spatial Disaggregation (BCSD) approach. Results were developed for the two scenarios of greenhouse gas
concentrations (RCP4.5 and RCP8.5) that were available for every CMIP5 AOGCM; this dataset is based on RCP8.5. Output are
at a resolution of approximately 12 km resolution. <br /> <br /> </div> <div> - The results were further refined to approximately
600 m resolution by reference to the Parameter-elevation Relationships on Independent Slopes Model (PRISM) dataset, This model
takes into account elevation, aspect, proximity to the coast, and other factors to predict climate based on results from 10,000
weather stations. Thirty year average data for 1981-2010 (i.e., centered on 1995) were used. <br /> <br /> </div>
<div> This dataset is one of multiple climate datasets consisting of: <br /> <br /> </div> <div> - Projections for the years
2010, 2020, 2030, 2040, 2050, 2060, 2070, and 2080 <br /> <br /> </div> <div> - Projections for both the RCP4.5 and RCP8.5
greenhouse gas concentration scenarios <br /> <br /> </div> <div> - The following datasets expected to have important effects
in determining the occurrence and survival of fish, wildlife, and plant populations: </div> <div> <br />1) Total annual precipitation
<br />2) Precipitation during the growing season (May-Sept.) <br />3) Average annual temperature <br />4) Mean minimum winter
temperature <br />5) Mean maximum summer temperature <br />6) Mean July temperature <br />7) Growing degree days (number of
days in which the average temperature is >10 degrees C) <br />8) Heat index 30 (number of days in which the maximum temperature
is >30 degrees C) <br />9) Heat index 35 (number of days in which the maximum temperature is >35 degrees C) <br /> </div>
Citation
Title Mean Maximum Summer Temperature (deg. C) for Northeast, Projected for 2010-2080, RCP8.5, Ensemble GCM Results