Technical descriptions of the experimental dynamical downscaling simulations over North America by the CAM5.4-MPAS4.0 variable-resolution model

• Main Authors: Sakaguchi, Koichi, Leung, L. Ruby, Zarzycki, Colin M., Jang, Jihyeon, McGinnis, Seth, Harrop, Bryce E., Skamarock, William C., Gettelman, Andrew, Zhao, Chun, Gutowski, William J., Leak, Stephen, Mearns, Linda
• Format: Article in Journal/Newspaper
• Language: English
• Published: Copernicus Publications 2023
• Subjects: article; Verlagsveröffentlichung; Sea ice
• Online Access: https://doi.org/10.5194/egusphere-2022-1199; https://noa.gwlb.de/receive/cop_mods_00064270; https://egusphere.copernicus.org/preprints/egusphere-2022-1199/egusphere-2022-1199.pdf

Comprehensive assessment of climate datasets is important for communicating to stakeholders model projections and associated uncertainties. Uncertainties can arise not only from assumptions and biases within the model but also from external factors such as computational constraint and data processing. To understand sources of uncertainties in global variable-resolution (VR) dynamical downscaling, we produced a regional climate dataset using the Model for Prediction Across Scales dynamical core coupled to the Community Atmosphere Model version 5.4 (CAM-MPAS). This document provides technical details of the model configuration, simulations, computational requirements, post-processing, and data archive of the experimental CAM-MPAS downscaling data. The CAM-MPAS model is configured with VR meshes featuring higher resolutions over North America, as well as quasi-uniform resolution meshes across the globe. The dataset includes multiple uniform- (240 and 120 km) and variable-resolution (50–200, 25–100, and 12–46 km) simulations for both the present-day (1990–2010) and future (2080–2100) periods, closely following the protocol of the North American Coordinated Regional Climate Downscaling Experiment. A deviation from the protocol is the pseudo-warming experiment for the future period, using the ocean boundary conditions produced by adding the sea surface temperature and sea ice changes from the low resolution version of the Max Planck Institute Earth System Model in the Coupled Model Intercomparison Project phase five to the present-day ocean state from a reanalysis product. Some unique aspects of global VR models are evaluated to provide background knowledge to data users and to explore good practices for modelers who use VR models for regional downscaling. In the coarse-resolution domain, strong resolution-sensitivity of the hydrological cycles exists over the tropics but does not appear to affect the mid-latitude circulations in the Northern Hemisphere including the downscaling target of North America. The ...