The state of the art and fundamental aspects of regional climate modeling in South America

• Published in: Annals of the New York Academy of Sciences Vol. 1436; no. 1; pp. 98 - 120
• Main Authors: Ambrizzi, Tércio, Reboita, Michelle Simões, da Rocha, Rosmeri Porfírio, Llopart, Marta
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: United States Wiley Subscription Services, Inc 01.01.2019
• Subjects: air temperature; Boundary conditions; Climate models; Computer simulation; cyclones; Deforestation; downscaling; Global climate models; international projects; precipitation; Regional development; South America; Time dependence; South America; South America; cyclones; downscaling; international projects; precipitation; air temperature; climate models
• ISSN: 0077-8923; 1749-6632
• DOI: 10.1111/nyas.13932

Regional climate models have been used since 1989 in order to improve climate simulation in regions where mesoscale forcings modulate the regional climate. These models are driven by time‐dependent lateral boundary conditions from global climate models or reanalysis, and this process is called dynamical downscaling. Here, we review the evolution of regional climate modeling, as well as present the studies developed for South America. Regional climate models have been used since 1989 in order to improve climate simulation in regions where the mesoscale forcings modulate the regional climate. These models are driven by time‐dependent lateral boundary conditions from global climate models or reanalysis, and this process is called dynamical downscaling. Here, we review the evolution of regional climate modeling as well as present the studies developed for South America.