Mean Minimum Winter 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 minimum air temperature (degrees C) for December, January, and February for the year 2010 using one of two
IPCC greenhouse gas concentration scenarios (RCP8.5). The dataset is intended to represent typical winter 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: </div> <div> <br />- 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. </div> <div>
<br />- 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: </div> <div> <br />- Projections for the years 2010, 2020, 2030, 2040, 2050, 2060, 2070, and 2080 </div> <div> <br />-
Projections for both the RCP4.5 and RCP8.5 greenhouse gas concentration scenarios </div> <div> <br />- 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 Minimum Winter Temperature (deg. C) for Northeast, Projected for 2010-2080, RCP8.5, Ensemble GCM Results