Geomatic downscaling of temperatures in the Mont Blanc massif. (25th September 2017)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Joly, Daniel; Berger, Alexandre; Buoncristiani, Jean‐François; Champagne, Olivier; Pergaud, Julien; Richard, Yves; Soare, Paul; Pohl, Benjamin
• Is Part Of: International journal of climatology. Volume 38:Number 4(2018)
• Page Start: 1846
• Page End: 1863
• Publication Date: 2017-09-25
• Subjects: downscaling -- temperature -- mountain area -- Alps -- Mont Blanc massif; Climatology -- Periodicals; Climat -- Périodiques; Climatologie -- Périodiques; 551.605
• DOI: 10.1002/joc.5300
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0899-8418

Abstract

ABSTRACT: This article presents a novel downscaling method based on a geomatic spatial model. This model is constructed on the basis of regressions between topographical (explanatory) variables (digitized here at 200 m resolution) and climatic factors observed at meteorological stations. These regressions are used to calibrate the model in the form of two parameters: the frequency with which explanatory variables are significant at the 95% level, and the mean of the regression coefficient associated with each variable. One of the objectives of the article is to test the relevance of the method and the application made of it in this study bears on daily observed minimum (tn) and maximum (tx) temperatures in the Mont Blanc massif between 1979 and 2014. Estimations show weak statistical biases and the temperature variation from day to day is well represented. The root mean square errors of daily temperatures are of the order of 2 °C for tn and tx alike. The validation shows (1) the value of applying spatial models to two atmospheric configurations (weather regimes and local rainfall conditions) and (2) the limitations of the method. Eventually, this method shall be applied to the downscaling of large‐scale atmospheric parameters provided by earth system models for projecting the temperature of the lower layers of the atmosphere over future decades. Abstract : This article presents a novel downscaling method which is based on linear regressions in which daily temperatures (1979–2014) are considered to be the dependent variables while variables from the DTM are the explanatory variables. Subsequently, two indicators (how often the variables are significant at the 95% level and the monthly mean of the regression coefficients assigned to each of the selected variables) serve as a basis for constructing the geomatic model. The estimations computed using classical interpolation and the geomatic model methods are compared and evaluated. Minimum temperatures on 1 January 2001 interpolated by (a) classical interpolation and by (b) geomatic downscaling.