Regional climate downscaling over Europe: perspectives from the EURO-CORDEX community
Authors: Jacob Daniela , Teichmann Claas , Sobolowski Stefan , Katragkou Eleni , Anders Ivonne , Belda Michal , Benestad Rasmus , Boberg Fredrik , Buonomo Erasmo , Cardoso Rita M. , Casanueva Ana , Christensen Ole B. , Christensen Jens Hesselbjerg , Coppola Erika , De Cruz Lesley , Davin Edouard L. , Dobler Andreas , Domínguez Marta , Fealy Rowan , Fernandez Jesus , Gaertner Miguel Angel , García-Díez Markel , Giorgi Filippo , Gobiet Andreas , Goergen Klaus , Gómez-Navarro Juan José , Alemán Juan Jesús González , Gutiérrez Claudia , Gutiérrez José M. , Güttler Ivan , Haensler Andreas , Halenka Tomáš , Jerez Sonia , Jiménez-Guerrero Pedro , Jones Richard G. , Keuler Klaus , Kjellström Erik , Knist Sebastian , Kotlarski Sven , Maraun Douglas , van Meijgaard Erik , Mercogliano Paola , Montávez Juan Pedro , Navarra Antonio , Nikulin Grigory , de Noblet-Ducoudré Nathalie , Panitz Hans-Juergen , Pfeifer Susanne , Piazza Marie , Pichelli Emanuela , Pietikäinen Joni-Pekka , Prein Andreas F. , Preuschmann Swantje , Rechid Diana , Rockel Burkhardt , Romera Raquel , Sánchez Enrique , Sieck Kevin , Soares Pedro M. M. , Somot Samuel , Srnec Lidija , Sørland Silje Lund , Termonia Piet , Truhetz Heimo , Vautard Robert , Warrach-Sagi Kirsten , Wulfmeyer Volker 
Published: April 2020

AbstractThe European CORDEX (EURO-CORDEX) initiative is a large voluntary effort that seeks to advance regional climate and Earth system science in Europe. As part of the World Climate Research Programme (WCRP) - Coordinated Regional Downscaling Experiment (CORDEX), it shares the broader goals of providing a model evaluation and climate projection framework and improving communication with both the General Circulation Model (GCM) and climate data user communities. EURO-CORDEX oversees the design and coordination of ongoing ensembles of regional climate projections of unprecedented size and resolution (0.11° EUR-11 and 0.44° EUR-44 domains). Additionally, the inclusion of empirical-statistical downscaling allows investigation of much larger multi-model ensembles. These complementary approaches provide a foundation for scientific studies within the climate research community and others. The value of the EURO-CORDEX ensemble is shown via numerous peer-reviewed studies and its use in the development of climate services. Evaluations of the EUR-44 and EUR-11 ensembles also show the benefits of higher resolution. However, significant challenges remain. To further advance scientific understanding, two flagship pilot studies (FPS) were initiated. The first investigates local-regional phenomena at convection-permitting scales over central Europe and the Mediterranean in collaboration with the Med-CORDEX community. The second investigates the impacts of land cover changes on European climate across spatial and temporal scales. Over the coming years, the EURO-CORDEX community looks forward to closer collaboration with other communities, new advances, supporting international initiatives such as the IPCC reports, and continuing to provide the basis for research on regional climate impacts and adaptation in Europe.