CORDEX Scope, or
What is CORDEX?
Provide a set of regional climate scenarios (including uncertainties)
covering the period 1950-2100, for the majority of the populated landregions of the globe.
Make these data sets readily available and useable to the impact and
adaptation communities.
Provide a generalized framework for testing and applying regional climate
models and downscaling techniques for both the recent past and future
scenarios.
Foster coordination between regional downscaling efforts around the
world and encourage participation in the downscaling process by local
scientists/organizations
Working Group on Regional Climate
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CORDEX
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Produce scenarios
Provide data for VIA
Test downscaling
Encourage local participation
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User community interaction?
Climate services?
Seasonal prediction?
Regional observations?
Climate science communication?
Best practices?
Note: CORDEX ≠ CMIP-child/lite/…
CORDEX Goals
(on CORDEX web site)
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To quality-control data sets of RCD-based information for the recent historical past and 21st century
projections, covering the majority of populated land regions on the globe. The RCD information
samples uncertainties in Regional Climate Change associated with varying Global Climate Model
(GCM) simulations, varying greenhouse gas (GHG) concentration scenarios, natural climate
variability and different downscaling methods. The CORDEX downscaling activities are based on the
latest set of GCM climate scenarios and predictions produced within the 5th Coupled Model
Intercomparison Project (CMIP5)
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To build a common set of Regional Climate Model (RCM) domains for dynamical downscaling and
define a standard set of variables, frequency and format for output and archival at a number of
CORDEX data centers
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To coordinate a range of RCM simulations for the defined domains, forced by analyses of
observations (currently ERA-Interim) to provide a benchmark framework for model evaluation and
assessment. This exercise should include also statistical downscaling (SD) methods
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To develop Regional Analysis and Evaluation Teams to: Evaluate the ensemble of RCD simulations
Develop a suitable set of regional-specific metrics for RCD evaluation Collect suitable observational
data to evaluate high-resolution RCD simulations Design experiments to investigate the added-value
of RCDs and target future priorities in RCD research
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To engage with the broad RCD community in its activities and discussions
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To support and inform the climate impact assessment and adaptation groups interested in utilizing
CORDEX RCD material in their research.
Working Group on Regional Climate
Terms of Reference
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To facilitate coordination of WCRP research activities relevant to the provision of
regional climate information and related climate services
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To integrate the user and decision maker context into the design and development of
regional climate science through two-way communication and co-production activities
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To facilitate, in co-operation with other relevant international organisations, the
provision of good practice guidance for potential users on the identification, selection,
processing, application and interpretation of regional climate information
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To provide advice to WCRP regarding research activities needed to support and
improve regional climate science and prediction
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To provide recommendations to WCRP regarding the provision and communication of
information for regional impact assessment, decision making and climate services as
related to, for example, water, health, food and disaster risk reduction. This includes
helping to ensure that observing networks are optimized, maintained over the long
term and adapted to user needs
Working Group on Regional Climate
Terms of Reference
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To oversee and promote specific WCRP regional climate research initiatives including
the Coordinated Regional Downscaling Experiment (CORDEX), and other activities as
may be established in the future, either independently or in collaboration among the
WCRP Projects or with other sister research programmes
To strengthen the role of regional climate science within the WCRP with research
results communicated effectively to, or where possible designed in partnership with,
climate service institutions. This may include preparation of web-based information,
publication of reports, organization of targeted workshops, encouraging the building of
research partnerships, etc... It should also be informed by and support research on
climate science communication
To liaise, as appropriate, with other organisations or bodies developing scenarios of
environmental and socioeconomic conditions, and to facilitate the assessment of (and
develop a set of best pratices with respect of) the consistency and plausibility of
regional climate projections in the context of integrated scenario development
To foster communication between the WCRP and the GFCS and Future Earth, and to
serve as the point of contact between the WCRP and regional climate
information/service entities (e.g. WMO Regional Climate Centers, the Climate Services
Partnership (CSP), etc...)
To liaise as appropriate with other relevant international weather, oceanographic,
climate and global change research programmes and communicate science priorities to
relevant funding agencies, NGOs and development agencies