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Modeled Monthly Precipitation Metrics (RCP 8.5), Wisconsin 2021-2040

Identification Information

Citation
Title
Modeled Monthly Precipitation Metrics (RCP 8.5), Wisconsin 2021-2040
Originator
Dr. Eric Compas, University of Wisconsin-Whitewater
Creation Date
2023-01-23
Publication Date
2023-01-23
Geospatial Data Presentation Form
mapDigital
Collection Title
Climate
Abstract
This raster dataset contains a simplified version of the probabilistic downscaled climate modeling data produced by the Wisconsin Initiative on Climate Change Impacts' (WICCI) Climate Working Group. This dataset contains several precipitation metrics averaged by month across a 20-year period from 2021-2040 for the Representative Concentration Pathway (RCP) 8.5 model. These metrics include average total monthly precipitation and inter-model standard deviation for total monthly precipitation precipitation. In addition, the data includes the estimated number of days per month that meet commonly used thresholds: the days where the precipitation exceeds 1, 2, or 3 inches and days with no precipitation. The spatial resolution of the data is 0.1 x 0.1 degrees (approximately 6x6 miles on the ground). More details about the original data this is derived from can be found at https://registry.opendata.aws/noaa-uwpd-cmip5/ and the WICCI's two climate assessment reports from 2011 and 2021 (available at https://wicci.wisc.edu/). The python code used to produce this simplified version is available at https://github.com/TheGeographer/DownscaledClimateData.
Purpose
The goal is to provide probabilistic downscaled climate modeling data in a GIS-friendly format that allows practitioners, researchers, and businesses to access future climate models for specific purposes. This data can be used (along with other modeled climate data included in this package) to compare modeled precipitation to historic conditions or to evaluate the likelihood of extreme weather events such as extreme precipitation events.
Supplemental Information
This is an archived copy of the data held at UW-Madison. For detailed variable definitions please review the full data dictionary https://gisdata.wisc.edu/public/WI_Downscaled_Climate_Data_Dictionary_Precip.pdf. In addition, please refer to the Downscaled Climate Data User Guide: https://gisdata.wisc.edu/public/metadata/includes/Guide_to_using_downscaled_climate_data.pdf for more information about how to view and analyze these data. Both the user guide and data dictionary are included with individual file downloads.
Temporal Extent
Currentness Reference
Provided metrics represent monthly average across a 20-year window (2021-2040). Note that within ESRI's time tools, the monthly value displays as the 15th of the month even though the whole month is reflected in the metric.
Time Period
Begin
2021-01-01T00:00:00
End
2040-12-31T00:00:00
Bounding Box
West
-92.950002
East
-86.750006
North
47.149998
South
42.350002
ISO Topic Category
climatologyMeteorologyAtmosphere
environment
geoscientificInformation
health
planningCadastre
Place Keyword
Wisconsin
Place Keyword Thesaurus
Temporal Keyword
2021-2040
Theme Keyword
climate change
Theme Keyword Thesaurus
Resource Constraints
Use Limitation
These data are based on 22-24 Global Climate Models (GCMs) as part of the Coupled Model Intercomparison Project Phase 5 (CMIP5) global modelling effort. While these models generally agree on the degree and timing of changing precipitation, they differ for some metrics and seasons in Wisconsin, and, as such, the average values in this simplified version hides some of the variability in the underlying models. This data should be used with this uncertainty in mind.
Resource Constraints
Use Limitation
Although this data is being distributed by the University of Wisconsin-Madison, no warranty expressed or implied is made by the University as to the accuracy of the data and related materials. The act of distribution shall not constitute any such warranty, and no responsibility is assumed by the University in the use of this data, or related materials.
Maintenance and Update Frequency
notPlanned
Language
eng
Credit
The aggregation and conversion to this GIS-friendly format was conducted by Dr. Eric Compas, UW-Whitewater, compase@uww.edu The original probabilistic downscaled climate data was produced by the Wisconsin Initiative on Climate Change Impacts' (WICCI) Climate Working Group including Dr. Steve Vavrus, sjvavrus@wisc.edu, Dr. David Lorenz, dlorenz@wisc.edu, and Dr. Dan Vimont, dvimont@wisc.edu.
Point of Contact
Contact
Eric Compas
Position Name
Professor, Department of Geography, Geology, and Environmental Sciences

Spatial Reference Information

Reference System Identifier
Code
4326
Code Space
EPSG
Version
6.2(3.0.1)

Data Quality Information

Quantitative Attribute Accuracy Report
Evaluation Method
To validate the data within this dataset, multiple derived products, e.g. total number of days with more than 1 inch of precipitation, were compared between this dataset and the data produced by the WICCI Climate Working Group. Despite using different methods to aggregate the data, there are only minor differences between these two datasets.
Lineage
Statement
The original downscaled probabilistic data is available at https://registry.opendata.aws/noaa-uwpd-cmip5/ and was provided to Dr. Compas directly by the WICCI Climate Working Group. These data were processed using a Python script (available at https://github.com/TheGeographer/DownscaledClimateData). Please see this code repository for details. In summary, the individual daily netCDF files for each twenty-year period and climate model, e.g. RCP4.5, are loaded into a large matrix for summarizing. From this matrix, the monthly averages and estimated number of days meeting precipitation thresholds are calculated. Finally, the script exports a simplified netCDF of the results. This netCDF file was imported into ArcGIS Pro (version 2.9.5) and converted into ESRI's cloud raster format (CRF) for distribution.
Process Step
Description
Archived data at UW-Madison.
Process Date
2023-02-13T00:00:00

Distribution Information

Format Name
Cloud Raster Format (CRF)
Format Version
1.0
Distributor
UW-Madison
Online Access
https://gisdata.wisc.edu/public/prcp_rcp85_2021-2040_monthly.crf.zip
Protocol
WWW:DOWNLOAD-1.0-http--download
Name
GeoData@Wisconsin
Function
download

Content Information

Content Type
image

Spatial Representation Information

Raster
Number of Dimensions
2
Column Count
62
Row Count
48
Cell Geometry Type
area
Corner Points
Point
-92.950002 42.350002
Point
-92.950002 47.149998
Point
-86.750006 47.149998
Point
-86.750006 42.350002
Center Point
-89.850004 44.750000

Metadata Reference Information

Hierarchy Level
dataset
Metadata File Identifier
5ABB21CD-9F84-4A85-9B54-85BF9C1657A7
Metadata Date Stamp
2023-02-28
Metadata Standard Name
ISO 19139 Geographic Information - Metadata - Implementation Specification
Metadata Standard Version
2007
Character Set
utf8
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