High Resolution Climate Modeling with the CCLM Regional Model

Using the CRAY XE-6 at the HLRS high performance computing facilities provides the possibility to study various aspects of the regional climate employing the regional climate model COSMO-CLM. The research activities of the group “Regional Climate and Water Cycle” at the KIT focus on the regional atmospheric water cycle and, especially, on extremes and different goals are pursued in the individual research projects. Different regions and orographies are studied using different resolutions from 50 to 3 km. Furthermore, different time spans are investigated and computational capacities from 2 to 500 node-hours per year (Wall Clock Time) are required. The analyses comprise decadal climate simulations of Germany, Europe and Africa to assess regional decadal climate predictability. Further, climate projections are carried out for Baden-Württemberg (Germany) and novel ensemble generating techniques are implemented to better describe the involved uncertainties. High resolution (3 km) experiments are performed for Baden-Württemberg to study extremes and the effects of climate change on soil erosion. Moreover, the possibilities of adaption to climate change for Baden-Württemberg are analysed, with focus on extremes and combination of extremes (such as dry soil and extreme precipitation).