Download PRECIS Training Workshop

PRECIS Training Workshop
Agenda overview
Climate Information for International Development team
Met Office Hadley Centre for Climate Change
The PRECIS regional climate modelling system
The PRECIS (Providing REgional Climates for Impacts Studies) regional climate modelling system is
used for generating high-resolution scenarios of future climate over a region in any part of the world
at horizontal resolutions of 50km or 25km.
The main design of PRECIS is to run on shared memory multi-core personal computer or server
systems running the Linux operating system. On such systems (those not requiring job control /
scheduling / queuing software), PRECIS runs on any version of Linux (32 or 64 bit).
The PRECIS software itself is offered freely to users from countries classed as non-Annex II by the
UNFCCC, but is only distributed in conjunction with a dedicated PRECIS training workshop. However,
output data from the PRECIS regional model may be freely shared between institutions and end
users for research and non-commercial purposes.
Activities surrounding Training Workshops
Scientific Training
The Climate Information for International Development team provide training in climate science
topics related to PRECIS and regional climate modelling.
Topics covered may include:
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Modelling the climate system and climate change
An introduction to the science of climate change and the basics of global general circulation
models used to simulate the Earth's climate for future periods.
Downscaling techniques including regional climate modelling
The scientific rationale behind the dynamical downscaling techniques used by PRECIS and
other regional climate models.
Climate model evaluation and validation
The necessity of validation of the output data from PRECIS experiments and methods for
evaluation.
Designing regional climate model experiments
The importance of proper experimental design and guidelines and criteria for optimal
experiments.
Climate model formulation
An introduction to the components of climate models, including atmospheric dynamics and
physical parameterisations.
Uncertainties
The concept of the inherent uncertainty in climate model results: why it must be taken into
consideration and ways to reduce this uncertainty. Includes a discussion of the concept of
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climate variability: how the climate varies naturally on timescales of months, years, decades
and beyond.
Climate scenario construction for climate change impacts assessments
Information about constructing sets of regional model experiments with an aim towards a
robust assessment of the vulnerability of regions to harmful impacts of climate change.
Working with Climate Model Ensembles
Use of ensemble Global Climate Model experiments as driving/input data for regional
models as a method of sampling different sources of uncertainty*Climate model data as
input for impact models
Issues concerning the use of RCM data as input for impact models, including bias correction,
assessment of available observational dataset to calibrate model data and critical
assessment of the assumptions associated with post-processing procedures.
PRECIS 2.0 in action.
A typical training workshop includes both training in underpinning climate science as well as a
training programme in the proper analysis and application of output data from Met Office Hadley
Centre global and regional climate models.
Scientific Support & Advice
Following training workshops, Met Office Hadley Centre regional modelling experts can be engaged
to act as partners in impacts research using PRECIS regional climate model output data. The design
of regional modelling experiments is a vital step in carrying out experiments. Met Office Hadley
Centre staff can advise on experimental design to include specification of the region to be modelled
(to ensure optimum added-value of the regional model over the global model) and on the best
practise to post-process climate model data to produce suitable input data for hydrological models.
Met Office Hadley Centre staff can advise on best practice for analysis, postprocessing and
visualisation of available climate data.
Finally, Met Office Hadley Centre staff can partner in the production of written research related to
regional climate modelling products. Depending on the overall project parameters, the level of
involvement can vary. Example activities could include jointly planning the structure of papers,
recommended strategies in analysis and validation, error checking and reviewing for scientific
accuracy. If there are requests for co-authoring papers or more complex enquiries these will be
quoted for under a separate contract agreement.
Sample Workshop Timetable
The following is a sample course schedule for a workshop for PRECIS users and climate data end
users. The order and activities are flexible and subject to change according to specific training needs.
All presentations are structured to include a Question and Answer time at the end.
DAY 1
TIME
ACTIVITIES
9:00am
Arrival and Registration
Distribution of printed materials
General logistical information (health & safety, facilities, contacts)
10:00am
Welcome Speeches and Introduction to PRECIS
11:00am
TEA/COFFEE BREAK
11:30am
Presentation:
Downscaling Techniques and Regional Climate Modelling
12:30pm
LUNCH BREAK
13:30pm
Presentation:
Demonstration of the PRECIS User Interface
14:00pm
Presentation:
Introduction to Linux and Shell commands
14:30pm
Practical (hands-on) Session:
15:00pm
TEA/COFFEE BREAK
15:30pm
Practical (hands-on) Session:
17:00pm
END OF DAY 1
DAY 2
TIME
ACTIVITIES
9:30am
Presentation:
Modelling the Climate System and Climate Change:
Data Storage System, Model Output and Analysis Tools.
11:00am
TEA/COFFEE BREAK
11:30am
Presentation:Regional Climate Model Formulation
12:30pm
LUNCH BREAK
13:30pm
Practical (hands-on) session:
15:00pm
TEA/COFFEE BREAK
15:30pm
Practical (hands-on) session
17:00pm
END OF DAY 2
DAY 3
TIME
ACTIVITIES
9:30am
Presentation:
Evaluation of Regional Climate Models
11:00am
TEA/COFFEE BREAK
11:30am
Presentation:
Uncertainties in the Development of Climate Scenarios
12:30pm
LUNCH BREAK
13:30pm
Practical (hands-on) Session:
15:00pm
TEA/COFFEE BREAK
15:30pm
Practical (hands-on) Session:
17:00pm
END OF DAY 3
19:00pm
Workshop Dinner and Reception
DAY 4
TIME
ACTIVITIES
9:30am
Presentation:
Climate Scenario Construction for Impacts Assessment
Designing RCM Experiments
11:00am
TEA/COFFEE BREAK
11:30am
Presentation:
Using RCM output to drive hydrological models
12:30pm
LUNCH BREAK
13:30pm
Practical (hands-on) Session:
14:30pm
Practical (hands-on) Session:
15:00pm
TEA/COFFEE BREAK
15:30pm
Practical (hands-on) Session:
16:00pm
END OF DAY 4
DAY 5
TIME
ACTIVITIES
9:30am
Presentation:
Working with Climate Model Ensembles
11:00am
TEA/COFFEE BREAK
11:30am
Presentation:
Explaining the Licence Agreement
Installation of PRECIS
12:30pm
LUNCH BREAK
13:30pm
General Discussion/Formal Close/Issuing of PRECIS DVDs/Workshop Certificate
14:00pm
Opportunity for one-on-one discussions between Met Office scientists and
participants
15:00pm
CLOSE