Plenary session

Session A1: Earth System Modelling in the regional context

Earth System Modelling (ESM) in the regional context can integrate two-way coupled processes to include dynamic vegetation (carbon cycle), oceans (and sea-ice), atmospheric chemistry, lakes and glaciers, biogeochemistry, etc. It can be used to demonstrate that Regional Earth System Models (RESMs) are able to improve the capability of simulating regional climate features. Key questions: Is there any added value of RESMs compared with RCMs? Is there any compromise between complexity, resolution and domain size?  Should a CORDEX-MIP on RESMs examining the regional response including a variety of coupled components to the RCMs be explored? WCRP Core Projects, Light House Activities, CORDEX FPSs.

Format: Invited talks, standard seminars (submitted abstracts) and final panel discussion. Oral and poster abstract submission.

Session A2: Convection Permitting Modelling

Higher resolutions are needed in order to capture and understand the local scale signals and to improve provision of actionable climate data for decision making. This session includes examples of very high-resolution initiatives, including CORDEX Flagship Pilot Studies and discussions on how we establish a coordinated strategy when we move towards smaller areas with higher resolution. Key questions:  What is the added value of coordinated ensembles of convection permitting simulations? How can a common setup be defined to assure model ensembles for smaller (“national”) convection permitting resolution domains? How do we assure reliability with few simulations in some convection permitting resolution domains? What are the common scientific challenges? How do we handle large amounts of data (incl sub-daily output) and the processing of them, especially in regions with limited resources and technical challenges?

Format: Invited talks, standard seminars (submitted abstracts) and final panel discussion. Oral and poster abstract submission.

Session A3: Statistical Methods/Machine Learning techniques for regional climate modelling/downscaling

Empirical statistical downscaling (ESD) methods follow a wide range of approaches (PP, MOS and bias adjustment, weather generators) and techniques (analogs, regression, machine learning). . These are applied individually or in combination to produce regional/local information from global or regional model outputs. Hybrid RCM-ESD methods (such as emulators) are an emergent topic boosted by developments in deep machine learning. Some key questions:

Can we evaluate the suitability and added value of statistical downscaling methods for climate change applications? Can we produce comprehensive intercomparisons to understand their benefits and limitations? Can we build RCM emulators suitable for certain tasks (e.g. emulating CPRCM runs or producing large ensembles)? How do we solve distillation issues from ESD/RCM/GCM ensembles?

Format: Invited talks, standard seminars (submitted abstracts) and final panel discussion. Oral and poster abstract submission.

Session A4: (in Pune): Regional climate modelling/downscaling for South Asia Monsoon region 

Earth System Modelling (ESM) in the regional context including all coupled model components. Convection Permitting Modelling, ultra-high resolution, and coordination of convection permitting scales. Statistical Methods/machine learning techniques for regional climate modelling/downscaling

Format: Invited talks, standard seminars (submitted abstracts) and final panel discussion. Oral and poster abstract submission.