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The CORDEX experiments consist of a large number of RCM simulations representing different future forcing scenarios, different combinations of GCMs and RCMs and different ensemble members of the same GCM-RCM combinations. This experiment design allows for studies addressing questions related to the key uncertainties in future climate change: i)
- what will future climate forcing be?,
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- what will be the response of the climate system to changes in forcing? and,
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- what is the uncertainty related to natural variability of the climate system.
The term "experiment" in the CDS form refers to three main categories:•
- Evaluation: CORDEX experiment driven by ECMWF ERA-Interim reanalysis for a past period. These experiments can be used to evaluate the quality of the RCMs using perfect boundary conditions as provided by a reanalysis system. The period covered is typically 1980-2010
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- ;
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- Historical: CORDEX experiment which covers a period for which modern climate observations exist. Boundary conditions are provided by GCMs. These experiments, that follow the observed changes in climate forcing, give a hint about how the RCMs perform for the past climate when forced by GCMs and can be used as a reference period for comparison with scenario runs for the future. The period covered is typically 1950-2005.;
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- Scenario: Ensemble of CORDEX climate projection experiments using RCP (Representative Concentration Pathways) forcing scenarios. These scenarios are the RCP 2.6, 4.5
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- and 8.5 scenarios providing different pathways of the future climate forcing. Boundary conditions are provided by GCMs. The period covered is typically 2006-2100.
In CORDEX typically, the same experiments were done using different RCMs (labelled as “Regional Climate Model” in the CDS form).
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In the CDS form one can find the label “Data set version". This is used, when the RCM simulation has been rerun and when a new version is available. More details will be available in the detailed documentation.
More details about the product are given in the Documentation section.