Extreme wind projections over Europe in the high-resolution Euro-CORDEX ensemble

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Stefan Sobolowski ◽  
Stephen Outten
Keyword(s):  
High Resolution ◽  
Spatial Heterogeneity ◽  
Urban Areas ◽  
Climate Adaptation ◽  
Added Value ◽  
Extreme Weather Events ◽  
Extreme Wind ◽  
Wind Events ◽  
Projected Changes ◽  
Extreme Winds

<p> </p><p>Extreme weather events represent one of the most visible and immediate hazards to society. Many of these types of phenomena are projected to increase in intensity, duration or frequency as the climate warms. Of these extreme winds are among the most damaging historically over Europe yet assessments of their future changes remain fraught with uncertainty. This uncertainty arises due to both the rare nature of extreme wind events and the fact that most model are unable to faithfully represent them. Here we take advantage of a 15-member ensemble of high-resolution Euro-CORDEX simulations (~12km) and investigate projected changes in extreme winds using a peaks-over-threshold approach. Additionally, we show that - despite lingering model deficiencies and inadequate observational coverage - there is clear added value of the higher resolution simulations over coarser resolution counterparts. Further, the spatial heterogeneity and highly localized nature is well captured. Effects such as orographic interactions, drag due to urban areas, and even individual storm tracks over the oceans are clearly visible. As such future changes also exhibit strong spatial heterogeneity. These results emphasize the need for careful case-by-case treatment of extreme wind analysis, especially when done in a climate adaptation or decision-making context. However, for more general assessments the picture is clearer with increases in the return period (i.e., more frequent) extreme episodes projected for Northern, Central and Southern Europe throughout the 21st century. While models continue to improve in their representation of extreme winds, improved observational coverage is desperately needed to better constrain and obtain more robust assessments of future extreme winds over Europe and elsewhere. </p>

Extreme winds in a WRF downscaling for the SAM-22 CORDEX domain for the 1979-2018 Historical Period

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Natalia Pillar da Silva ◽  
Rosmeri Porfírio da Rocha ◽  
Natália Machado Crespo ◽  
Ricardo de Camargo ◽  
Jose Antonio Moreira Lima ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Wind Speed ◽  
Oil And Gas ◽  
Offshore Structures ◽  
Horizontal Resolution ◽  
Historical Period ◽  
Climate Projections ◽  
Wind Speeds ◽  
Extreme Wind ◽  
Wind Events ◽  
Extreme Winds

<p>This study aims to evaluate how extreme winds (above the 95th percentile) are represented in a downscaling using the regional model WRF over the CORDEX South American domain in an approximate 25 km (0.22 degrees) horizontal resolution, along with CFSR as input. The main focus of the analysis resides over the coastal Brazilian region, given a large number of offshore structures from oil and gas industries subject to impact by severe events. Model results are compared with a reanalysis product (ERA5),  estimates from satellites product (Cross-Calibrated Multi-Platform Wind Speed), and available buoy data (Brazilian National Buoy Project). Downscaling results from WRF show an underestimation of maximum and extreme wind speeds over the region when compared to all references, along with overestimation in the continental areas. This directly impacts results for extreme value estimation for a larger return period and severity evaluation of extreme wind events in future climate projections. To address this, a correction procedure based on the linear relationship between severe wind from satellite and model results is applied. After linearly corrected, the extreme and maximum wind speed values increase and errors in the representation of severe events are reduced in the downscaling results.</p>

scholarly journals Methodology to Prioritize Climate Adaptation Measures in Urban Areas. Barcelona and Bristol Case Studies

2020 ◽  
Vol 12 (12) ◽  
pp. 4807 ◽  
Author(s):  
María Guerrero-Hidalga ◽  
Eduardo Martínez-Gomariz ◽  
Barry Evans ◽  
James Webber ◽  
Montserrat Termes-Rifé ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Case Studies ◽  
Urban Areas ◽  
Climate Adaptation ◽  
Extreme Rainfall ◽  
Extreme Weather Events ◽  
Urban Resilience ◽  
Adaptation Measures ◽  
Welfare Impacts ◽  
Depth Analysis ◽  
Detailed Assessment

In the current context of fast innovation in the field of urban resilience against extreme weather events, it is becoming more challenging for decision-makers to recognize the most beneficial adaptation measures for their cities. Detailed assessment of multiple measures is resource-consuming and requires specific expertise, which is not always available. To tackle these issues, in the context of the H2020 project RESCCUE (RESilience to cope with Climate Change in Urban arEas), a methodology to effectively prioritize adaptation measures against extreme rainfall-related hazards in urban areas has been developed. It follows a multi-phase structure to progressively narrow down the list of potential measures. It begins using less resource-intensive techniques, to finally focus on the in-depth analysis on a narrower selection of measures. It involves evaluation of risks, costs, and welfare impacts, with strong focus on stakeholders’ participation through the entire process. The methodology is adaptable to different contexts and objectives and has been tested in two case studies across Europe, namely Barcelona and Bristol.

scholarly journals Evaluating the impact of spatial resolution on tropospheric NO<sub>2</sub> column comparisons within urban areas using high-resolution airborne data

2019 ◽  
Vol 12 (11) ◽  
pp. 6091-6111 ◽  
Author(s):  
Laura M. Judd ◽  
Jassim A. Al-Saadi ◽  
Scott J. Janz ◽  
Matthew G. Kowalewski ◽  
R. Bradley Pierce ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
High Resolution ◽  
Los Angeles ◽  
Spatial Heterogeneity ◽  
Spatial Resolution ◽  
Urban Areas ◽  
High Temporal Resolution ◽  
Ozone Monitoring Instrument ◽  
Vertical Column ◽  
Monitoring Instrument ◽  
The Impact

Abstract. NASA deployed the GeoTASO airborne UV–visible spectrometer in May–June 2017 to produce high-resolution (approximately 250 m×250 m) gapless NO2 datasets over the western shore of Lake Michigan and over the Los Angeles Basin. The results collected show that the airborne tropospheric vertical column retrievals compare well with ground-based Pandora spectrometer column NO2 observations (r2=0.91 and slope of 1.03). Apparent disagreements between the two measurements can be sensitive to the coincidence criteria and are often associated with large local variability, including rapid temporal changes and spatial heterogeneity that may be observed differently by the sunward-viewing Pandora observations. The gapless mapping strategy executed during the 2017 GeoTASO flights provides data suitable for averaging to coarser areal resolutions to simulate satellite retrievals. As simulated satellite pixel area increases to values typical of TEMPO (Tropospheric Emissions: Monitoring Pollution), TROPOMI (TROPOspheric Monitoring Instrument), and OMI (Ozone Monitoring Instrument), the agreement with Pandora measurements degraded, particularly for the most polluted columns as localized large pollution enhancements observed by Pandora and GeoTASO are spatially averaged with nearby less-polluted locations within the larger area representative of the satellite spatial resolutions (aircraft-to-Pandora slope: TEMPO scale =0.88; TROPOMI scale =0.77; OMI scale =0.57). In these two regions, Pandora and TEMPO or TROPOMI have the potential to compare well at least up to pollution scales of 30×1015 molecules cm−2. Two publicly available OMI tropospheric NO2 retrievals are found to be biased low with respect to these Pandora observations. However, the agreement improves when higher-resolution a priori inputs are used for the tropospheric air mass factor calculation (NASA V3 standard product slope =0.18 and Berkeley High Resolution product slope =0.30). Overall, this work explores best practices for satellite validation strategies with Pandora direct-sun observations by showing the sensitivity to product spatial resolution and demonstrating how the high-spatial-resolution NO2 data retrieved from airborne spectrometers, such as GeoTASO, can be used with high-temporal-resolution ground-based column observations to evaluate the influence of spatial heterogeneity on validation results.

scholarly journals Identification of Extreme Wind Events Using a Weather Type Classification

Energies ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 14 (13) ◽  
pp. 3944
Author(s):  
António Couto ◽  
Paula Costa ◽  
Teresa Simões
Keyword(s):  
Wind Power ◽  
Driving Forces ◽  
Weather Conditions ◽  
Power Production ◽  
Extreme Weather Events ◽  
Time Duration ◽  
Work Related ◽  
Weather Events ◽  
Extreme Wind ◽  
Wind Events

The identification of extreme wind events and their driving forces are crucial to better integrating wind generation into the power system. Recent work related the occurrence of extreme wind events with some weather circulation patterns, enabling the identification of (i) wind power ramps and (ii) low-generation events as well as their intrinsic features, such as the intensity and time duration. Using Portugal as a case study, this work focuses on the application of a weather classification-type methodology to link the weather conditions with wind power generation, namely, the different types of extreme events. A long-term period is used to assess and characterize the changes in the occurrence of extreme weather events and corresponding intensity on wind power production. High variability is expected under cyclonic regimes, whereas low-generation events are most common in anticyclonic regimes. The results of the work provide significant insights regarding wind power production in Portugal, enabling an increase in its predictability.

LIFE URBANGREEN: Innovative technological platform to improve management of green areas for better climate adaptation

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Paolo Viskanic ◽  
Alice Pasquinelli ◽  
Alessio Fini ◽  
Piotr Wezyk
Keyword(s):  
Climate Change ◽  
Remote Sensing ◽  
Ecosystem Services ◽  
Urban Areas ◽  
Climate Adaptation ◽  
Climate Impacts ◽  
Extreme Weather Events ◽  
Urban Green ◽  
Urban Green Areas ◽  
Green Areas

&lt;p&gt;Climate change is a serious and cross-cutting issue: urban areas are particularly sensitive to climate impacts, especially to heatwaves, floods and droughts. Typically, urban phenomena (such as the &amp;#8216;urban heat island effect&amp;#8217; &amp;#8211; where the urban area is significantly warmer than the surrounding rural areas) and the impacts of extreme weather events demonstrate the high vulnerability of cities.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;Specific urban adaptation strategies are therefore needed to make cities more resilient. In this context, green areas and green infrastructures are seen among the most widely applicable, economically viable and effective tools to combat the impacts of climate change and help people adapt to or mitigate adverse effects of this change.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;LIFE URBANGREEN is a European Funded project dealing with climate adaptation through the maximisation of ecosystem services provided by urban green areas maintained in an innovative way. The main expected result is a smart, integrated, geospatial management system, to monitor and govern all activities related to urban green areas, maximizing ecological benefits.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;Five innovative modules are being developed within the project, aimed at:&lt;/p&gt;&lt;ul&gt;&lt;li&gt;providing irrigation to trees only when and where actually needed&lt;/li&gt; &lt;li&gt;reducing the carbon footprint of maintenance activities through a more efficient job planning&lt;/li&gt; &lt;li&gt;quantifying ecosystem services provided by green areas&lt;/li&gt; &lt;li&gt;monitoring health conditions of trees using remote sensing data&lt;/li&gt; &lt;li&gt;increasing citizen participation in urban green management&lt;/li&gt; &lt;/ul&gt;&lt;p&gt;The project involves 5 Italian and Polish partners:&lt;/p&gt;&lt;ul&gt;&lt;li&gt;R3 GIS (GIS software company and project coordinator, Bolzano, Italy)&lt;/li&gt; &lt;li&gt;University of Milano (scientific coordinator, Milano, Italy)&lt;/li&gt; &lt;li&gt;ProGea 4D (remote sensing company, Krakow, Poland)&lt;/li&gt; &lt;li&gt;ZZM (manager of urban green areas in Krakow, Poland)&lt;/li&gt; &lt;li&gt;Anthea (manager of urban green areas in Rimini, Italy)&lt;/li&gt; &lt;/ul&gt;&lt;p&gt;Also, the National Central University (NCU) in Taiwan, under the coordination of Prof Yuei-An Liou, supports the project and participates as external partner and will test some innovations of the LIFE URBANGREEN Project in Taiwan.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;During the EGU conference, results obtained during the first two years of the project will be presented. More information on the project is available at www.lifeurbangreen.eu&lt;/p&gt;

scholarly journals Evaluating the impact of spatial resolution on tropospheric NO<sub>2</sub> column comparisons within urban areas using high-resolution airborne data

2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Laura M. Judd ◽  
Jassim A. Al-Saadi ◽  
Scott J. Janz ◽  
Matthew G. Kowalewski ◽  
R. Bradley Pierce ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
High Resolution ◽  
Los Angeles ◽  
Spatial Heterogeneity ◽  
Spatial Resolution ◽  
Urban Areas ◽  
Lake Michigan ◽  
A Priori ◽  
High Temporal Resolution ◽  
Vertical Column ◽  
The Impact

Abstract. NASA deployed an airborne UV/Visible spectrometer, GeoTASO, in May–June 2017 to produce high resolution (approximately 250 × 250 m), gapless NO2 datasets over the western shore of Lake Michigan and over the Los Angeles Basin. Results show that the airborne tropospheric vertical column retrievals compare well with ground-based Pandora spectrometer column NO2 observations (r2 = 0.91 and slope of 1.03). Apparent disagreements between the two measurements can be sensitive to the coincidence criteria and are often associated with large local variability, including rapid temporal changes and also spatial heterogeneity that may be observed differently by the sunward viewing Pandora observations. The gapless mapping strategy executed during the 2017 GeoTASO flights provides data suitable for averaging to coarser areal resolutions to simulate satellite retrievals. As simulated satellite pixel area increases to values typical of TEMPO, TROPOMI, and OMI, the agreement with Pandora measurements is degraded as localized polluted plumes observed by Pandora are spatially averaged over larger areas (aircraft-to-Pandora slope: TEMPO scale = 0.88; TROPOMI scale = 0.77; OMI scale = 0.57). This behavior suggests that satellite products are representative of individual Pandora observations up to a certain pollution scale that depends on satellite spatial resolution. In these two regions, Pandora and TEMPO or TROPOMI have the potential to compare well up to pollution scales of 30 x 1015 molecules cm−2. Two publicly available OMI tropospheric NO2 retrievals are both found to be biased low with respect to Pandora observations (NASA V3 Standard Product slope = 0.18 and Berkeley High Resolution Product slope = 0.30). However, the agreement improves when higher resolution a priori inputs are used for the tropospheric air mass factor calculation. Overall, this work explores best practices for satellite validation strategies by showing the sensitivity to product spatial resolution and demonstrates how the high spatial resolution NO2 data retrieved from airborne spectrometers, such as GeoTASO, can be used with high temporal resolution surface observations to evaluate the influence of spatial heterogeneity on validation results.

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