Selecting the optimal fine-scale historical climate data for assessing current and future hydrological conditions

2022 ◽  
Keyword(s):  
Sierra Nevada ◽  
Air Temperature ◽  
Snow Water Equivalent ◽  
Maximum Temperature ◽  
Climate Data ◽  
Ecological Processes ◽  
Historical Climate ◽  
Wide Range ◽  
Monthly Streamflow ◽  
Climate Maps

Abstract High-resolution historical climate grids are readily available and frequently used as inputs for a wide range of regional management and risk assessments including water supply, ecological processes, and as baseline for climate change impact studies that compare them to future projected conditions. Because historical gridded climates are produced using various methods, their portrayal of landscape conditions differ, which becomes a source of uncertainty when they are applied to subsequent analyses. Here we tested the range of values from five gridded climate datasets. We compared their values to observations from 1,231 weather stations, first using each dataset’s native scale, and then after each was rescaled to 270-meter resolution. We inputted the downscaled grids to a mechanistic hydrology model and assessed the spatial results of six hydrological variables across California, in 10 ecoregions and 11 large watersheds in the Sierra Nevada. PRISM was most accurate for precipitation, ClimateNA for maximum temperature, and TopoWx for minimum temperature. The single most accurate dataset overall was PRISM due to the best performance for precipitation and low air temperature errors. Hydrological differences ranged up to 70% of the average monthly streamflow with an average of 35% disagreement for all months derived from different historical climate maps. Large differences in minimum air temperature data produced differences in modeled actual evapotranspiration, snowpack, and streamflow. Areas with the highest variability in climate data, including the Sierra Nevada and Klamath Mountains ecoregions, also had the largest spread for Snow Water Equivalent (SWE), recharge and runoff.

scholarly journals Climate, snow, and soil moisture data set for the Tuolumne and Merced river watersheds, California, USA

2019 ◽  
Vol 11 (1) ◽  
pp. 101-110 ◽  
Author(s):  
James W. Roche ◽  
Robert Rice ◽  
Xiande Meng ◽  
Daniel R. Cayan ◽  
Michael D. Dettinger ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Soil Moisture ◽  
Sierra Nevada ◽  
Land Surface ◽  
Forest Canopy ◽  
Snow Water Equivalent ◽  
Process Models ◽  
Series Data ◽  
Climate Data ◽  
Data Set ◽  
Data Repositories

Abstract. We present hourly climate data to force land surface process models and assessments over the Merced and Tuolumne watersheds in the Sierra Nevada, California, for the water year 2010–2014 period. Climate data (38 stations) include temperature and humidity (23), precipitation (13), solar radiation (8), and wind speed and direction (8), spanning an elevation range of 333 to 2987 m. Each data set contains raw data as obtained from the source (Level 0), data that are serially continuous with noise and nonphysical points removed (Level 1), and, where possible, data that are gap filled using linear interpolation or regression with a nearby station record (Level 2). All stations chosen for this data set were known or documented to be regularly maintained and components checked and calibrated during the period. Additional time-series data included are available snow water equivalent records from automated stations (8) and manual snow courses (22), as well as distributed snow depth and co-located soil moisture measurements (2–6) from four locations spanning the rain–snow transition zone in the center of the domain. Spatial data layers pertinent to snowpack modeling in this data set are basin polygons and 100 m resolution rasters of elevation, vegetation type, forest canopy cover, tree height, transmissivity, and extinction coefficient. All data are available from online data repositories (https://doi.org/10.6071/M3FH3D).

scholarly journals Climate, snow, and soil moisture data set for the Tuolumne and Merced River watersheds, California, USA

2018 ◽  
Author(s):  
James W. Roche ◽  
Robert Rice ◽  
Xiande Meng ◽  
Daniel R. Cayan ◽  
Michael D. Dettinger ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Soil Moisture ◽  
Sierra Nevada ◽  
Land Surface ◽  
Forest Canopy ◽  
Snow Water Equivalent ◽  
Process Models ◽  
Series Data ◽  
Climate Data ◽  
Data Set ◽  
Data Repositories

Abstract. We present hourly climate data to force land surface process models and assessments over the Merced and Tuolumne watersheds in the Sierra Nevada, California, for the water year 2010–2014 period. Climate data (38 stations) includes temperature and humidity (23), precipitation (13), solar radiation (8), and wind speed and direction (8) spanning an elevation range of 333 to 2987 m. Each data set contains raw data as obtained from the source (level 0), data that are serially continuous with noise and non-physical points removed (level 1), and, where possible, data that are gap-filled using linear interpolation or regression with a nearby station record (level 2). All stations chosen for this data set were known or documented to be regularly maintained and components checked and calibrated during the period. Additional time-series data included are available snow water equivalent records from automated stations (8) and manual snow courses (22), as well as distributed snow-depth and co-located soil-moisture measurements (2–6) from four locations spanning the rain-to-snow transition zone in the centre of the domain. Spatial data layers pertinent to snowpack modelling in this data set are basin polygons and 100-m resolution rasters of elevation, vegetation type, forest basal area, tree height, and forest canopy cover, transmissivity, and extinction coefficient. All data are available from online data repositories (https://doi.org/10.6071/M3FH3D).

Rain versus Snow in the Sierra Nevada, California: Comparing Doppler Profiling Radar and Surface Observations of Melting Level

2008 ◽  
Vol 9 (2) ◽  
pp. 194-211 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jessica D. Lundquist ◽  
Paul J. Neiman ◽  
Brooks Martner ◽  
Allen B. White ◽  
Daniel J. Gottas ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Sierra Nevada ◽  
Snow Water Equivalent ◽  
Spatial Location ◽  
Snow Accumulation ◽  
Mountain Range ◽  
Diurnal Cycles ◽  
Heating And Cooling ◽  
Wide Range ◽  
C 50 ◽  
Melting Level

Abstract The maritime mountain ranges of western North America span a wide range of elevations and are extremely sensitive to flooding from warm winter storms, primarily because rain falls at higher elevations and over a much greater fraction of a basin’s contributing area than during a typical storm. Accurate predictions of this rain–snow line are crucial to hydrologic forecasting. This study examines how remotely sensed atmospheric snow levels measured upstream of a mountain range (specifically, the bright band measured above radar wind profilers) can be used to accurately portray the altitude of the surface transition from snow to rain along the mountain’s windward slopes, focusing on measurements in the Sierra Nevada, California, from 2001 to 2005. Snow accumulation varies with respect to surface temperature, diurnal cycles in solar radiation, and fluctuations in the free-tropospheric melting level. At 1.5°C, 50% of precipitation events fall as rain and 50% as snow, and on average, 50% of measured precipitation contributes to increases in snow water equivalent (SWE). Between 2.5° and 3°C, snow is equally likely to melt or accumulate, with most cases resulting in no change to SWE. Qualitatively, brightband heights (BBHs) detected by 915-MHz profiling radars up to 300 km away from the American River study basin agree well with surface melting patterns. Quantitatively, this agreement can be improved by adjusting the melting elevation based on the spatial location of the profiler relative to the basin: BBHs decrease with increasing latitude and decreasing distance to the windward slope of the Sierra Nevada. Because of diurnal heating and cooling by radiation at the mountain surface, BBHs should also be adjusted to higher surface elevations near midday and lower elevations near midnight.

scholarly journals Assessment of Climate Variability for Coconut and Other Crops: A Statistical Approach

CORD ◽  
2008 ◽  
Vol 24 (1) ◽  
pp. 19
Author(s):  
T.S.G. Peiris
Keyword(s):  
Sri Lanka ◽  
Climate Variability ◽  
Air Temperature ◽  
Agricultural Sector ◽  
Maximum Temperature ◽  
Climate Data ◽  
Dry Spells ◽  
Rate Of Increase ◽  
Dry Spell ◽  
Maximum Air Temperature

Public opinion in Sri Lanka has been seriously concerned about the possible impact of climate change on different sectors, and in particular for the agricultural sector. Annual and weekly climate data were analyzed to provide useful information to farmers, planners and scientists to assess the suitability of different types of crops. The statistical methodology of the analysis is illustrated using daily rainfall and air temperature from 1951 to 2001 for Hambantota, a major coconut growing district in Sri Lanka. The increase in maximum air temperature and decrease in the amount of rainfall per effective rainy day (> 5mm) are the significant features of the climate variability in the Hambantota area. The warming rate for maximum air temperature was significantly higher (p<0.005) than that for minimum, mean and diurnal temperature, irrespective of time scales. The annual rate of increase of maximum temperature after 1995 is 0.0260C. The intensity of rainfall per effective rainy day (> 5mm) decreased significantly (p<0.005). Distribution of weekly rainfall during January to September is uncertain. The probability of weekly rainfall greater than 20 mm does not exceed 50% in any week during this period. Long-term weekly rainfall was greater than 30 mm only during mid October to early December, but the probability of weekly rainfall greater than 30 mm exceeds 50% only during the first three weeks of November. The probability of occurrence of dry spells of duration greater than 60 days in a year is around 70%, but the time of occurrence of such dry spell is not consistent among years. These findings suggest that the expected future climate would not be suitable for coconut cultivation, if growers do not apply the recommended practices to face long dry spells. Also the increasing temperature could impact to dominate plant pest during dry periods.

Scientists struggle to access Africa's historical climate data

Nature ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 574 (7780) ◽  
pp. 605-606 ◽  
Author(s):  
Linda Nordling
Keyword(s):  
Climate Data ◽  
Historical Climate

scholarly journals Thermal Injuries Caused by Water from Loose Garden Hoses

2021 ◽  
Vol 8 ◽  
pp. 2333794X2110312
Author(s):  
Karolína Uhrová ◽  
Pavel Böhm
Keyword(s):  
Human Skin ◽  
Air Temperature ◽  
Concrete Surface ◽  
Hot Water ◽  
Maximum Temperature ◽  
Water Contact ◽  
Valid Data ◽  
Thermal Injuries

This is a monitoring research, the purpose of which is to point out the danger of scalding with water from loose garden hoses. All the stated data are the result of this research, which occurred during the month of August. To adequately compare the maximum temperature that the water reaches in garden hoses exposed to sunlight, 2 different surfaces were chosen, namely grass and concrete. It has been found that water in garden hoses, which lie in a place exposed to sunlight, is able to reach temperatures at which, in case of contact with human skin, there is a risk of scalding. The results confirmed the assumption that the temperature in the grass will be lower in the hoses than in the concrete surface. At an air temperature of 35°C, the water in the hoses on the grass reached a temperature of up to 47.3°C. On a concrete surface at an air temperature of 28.5°C, the water in the hoses reached 49.8°C. There is a risk of scalding from such hot water contact with the skin, and especially with sensitive baby skin. The aim of this research is to provide valid data on the risk of spilling hyperthermic water in free-lying garden hoses exposed to sunlight. The threat of scalding can occur unknowingly or through negligence, the risk of scalding with such water increases during tropical days significantly.

Effects of Air Temperature on Combustion Characteristics of LPG Diffusion Flame

2020 ◽  
Vol 1008 ◽  
pp. 128-138
Author(s):  
Ahmed M. Salman ◽  
Ibrahim A. Ibrahim ◽  
Hamada M. Gad ◽  
Tharwat M. Farag
Keyword(s):  
Air Temperature ◽  
Diffusion Flame ◽  
Nitrogen Addition ◽  
Flame Length ◽  
Combustion Characteristics ◽  
Operating Conditions ◽  
Low Oxygen ◽  
Air Temperatures ◽  
Air Stream ◽  
Wide Range

In the present study, the combustion characteristics of LPG gaseous fuel diffusion flame at elevated air temperatures were experimentally investigated. An experimental test rig was manufactured to examine a wide range of operating conditions. The investigated parameters are the air temperatures of 300, 350, 400, 450, and 500 K with constant percentage of nitrogen addition in combustion air stream of 5 % to give low oxygen concentration of 18.3 % by mass at constant air swirl number, air to fuel mass ratio, and thermal load of 1.5, 30, and 23 kW, respectively. The gaseous combustion characteristics were represented as axial and radial temperatures distributions, temperatures gradient, visible flame length and species concentrations. The results indicated that as the air temperature increased, the chemical reaction rate increased and flame volume decreased, the combustion time reduced leading to a reduction in flame length. The NO concentration reaches its maximum values near the location of the maximum centerline axial temperature. Increasing the combustion air temperature by 200 K, the NO consequently O2 concentrations are increased by about % 355 and 20 % respectively, while CO2 and CO concentrations are decreased by about % 21 and 99 % respectively, at the combustor end.

scholarly journals Revisiting the Functional Zoning Concept under Climate Change to Expand the Portfolio of Adaptation Options

Forests ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 12 (3) ◽  
pp. 273
Author(s):  
Samuel Royer-Tardif ◽  
Jürgen Bauhus ◽  
Frédérik Doyon ◽  
Philippe Nolet ◽  
Nelson Thiffault ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Climate Change ◽  
Multiple Use ◽  
Management Options ◽  
Ecological Processes ◽  
Adaptation Measures ◽  
Good Communication ◽  
Management Objectives ◽  
Functional Zoning ◽  
Wide Range ◽  
Adaptation Options

Climate change is threatening our ability to manage forest ecosystems sustainably. Despite strong consensus on the need for a broad portfolio of options to face this challenge, diversified management options have yet to be widely implemented. Inspired by functional zoning, a concept aimed at optimizing biodiversity conservation and wood production in multiple-use forest landscapes, we present a portfolio of management options that intersects management objectives with forest vulnerability to better address the wide range of goals inherent to forest management under climate change. Using this approach, we illustrate how different adaptation options could be implemented when faced with impacts related to climate change and its uncertainty. These options range from establishing ecological reserves in climatic refuges, where self-organizing ecological processes can result in resilient forests, to intensive plantation silviculture that could ensure a stable wood supply in an uncertain future. While adaptation measures in forests that are less vulnerable correspond to the traditional functional zoning management objectives, forests with higher vulnerability might be candidates for transformative measures as they may be more susceptible to abrupt changes in structure and composition. To illustrate how this portfolio of management options could be applied, we present a theoretical case study for the eastern boreal forest of Canada. Even if these options are supported by solid evidence, their implementation across the landscape may present some challenges and will require good communication among stakeholders and with the public.

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