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Downscaled Regional Climate Information for the Southeastern US
Citation:
Spero, T., Chris Nolte, Kiran Alapaty, R. Bullock, M. Mallard, J. Herwehe, AND J. Bowden. Downscaled Regional Climate Information for the Southeastern US. Carolinas Climate Resilience Conference, Charlotte, NC, April 28, 2014.
Impact/Purpose:
The National Exposure Research Laboratory (NERL) Atmospheric Modeling and Analysis Division (AMAD) conducts research in support of EPA mission to protect human health and the environment. AMAD research program is engaged in developing and evaluating predictive atmospheric models on all spatial and temporal scales for forecasting the air quality and for assessing changes in air quality and air pollutant exposures, as affected by changes in ecosystem management and regulatory decisions. AMAD is responsible for providing a sound scientific and technical basis for regulatory policies based on air quality models to improve ambient air quality. The models developed by AMAD are being used by EPA, NOAA, and the air pollution community in understanding and forecasting not only the magnitude of the air pollution problem, but also in developing emission control policies and regulations for air quality improvements.
Description:
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s Office of Research and Development in Research Triangle Park, NC, has been developing regional climate and air quality fields for North America for current and future periods. Research emphasis has been placed on evaluating near-surface temperature and precipitation, including predictions of extreme events. A dynamically downscaled climate database is under development for an historical period and for a future period with climate change projections based on global climate models. The goals of this work are to equip environmental managers and policy/decision makers in the U.S. with science, tools, and data to inform decisions related to adapting to and mitigating the potential impacts of regional climate change on air quality, hydrology, ecosystems, and human health. The goal of this presentation will be to present the types of regional climate data that have been developed by the authors and engage partners from the Carolinas for climate resilience applications.