Abstract

Providing high-resolution climate model data for GIS users
Track: Climate Change and Conservation
Authors: Jay Alder

The USGS is in the process of completing a two-year project to provide high-resolution, dynamically downscaled climate model simulations from present to 2100. The dataset includes simulations from four global climate models that have been dynamically downscaled using the RegCM3 regional climate model. The spatial domain consists of five 15km grids covering most of North America and a single 50km grid that covers all of North America. The output datasets will be provided to ArcGIS users via OGC WCS made available by a UCAR THREDDS server. Model projections from present to 2100 are included for a variety of climatic variables such as temperature, precipitation, snow pack, soil moisture and ~60 other variables. Data provided by these climate simulations can be incorporated into the decision-making process of non-profits, local government, state and federal agencies to address potential future changes in climate that may impact conservation and resource management.