Upstream bias correction and hybrid downscaling of GCM data for climate projections in Norway

Realistic climate modelling and projections are essential in informing decision making and research agendas. However, today's global climate models (GCMs) are typically run on resolutions as low as 100km x 100km, far from sufficient to resolve local-scale features in complex terrain such as in western Norway. This project is part of a Research Council of Norway (RCN) funded project, "Relevant, reliable and robust local-scale climate projections for Norway" (R3) (project number 255397) which addresses these issues for Norway. During the proposed research stay with the group of Dr. Roy Rasmussen, I aim to investigate bias correction methods and its respective strengths and limitations for the Norwegian area. I will study and extend a hybrid downscaling method which will expand the ensemble size in climate projections for Norway, and thereby span the uncertainty, with limited computational costs. This scientist group at NCAR are leading the way in the use of these methods for bias correction and downscaling of GCM data. Whilst we have an internationally recognised climate research community in Norway, climate change is a global phenomenon. Our research can only be enhanced by furthering our international networks and collaborative associations. As such, this funding will directly lead to increased collaboration with another internationally recognised climate research centre. Lately PhD-students Mari Sandvik, UiB and Patrik Bohlinger, UiB have visited the institution with positive outcome. They both joined the group of Dr. Roy Rasmussen