The Canadian Precipitation Analysis (CaPA) generates gridded precipitation data outputs based on the assimilation of both observation and climate model data. CaPA outputs are highly valuable to modelling efforts dependent on precipitation inputs, and as such the quality of CaPA outputs is crucial. Two improvements to CaPA were investigated: reducing transformation bias though correction against moving-window averaged CaPA output that avoids transformation, and enhancing semivariograms through anisotropy and convection considerations. Accounting for convection in the semivariogram proved ineffectual, while the bias correction technique and anisotropic semivariograms both reduced bias and improved related metrics. No methods improved the Equitable Threat Score. If implemented separately, the bias correction or anisotropic semivariogram approaches will yield targeted benefits for CaPA users, particularly for applications focused on extreme precipitation values. Improvements were not so comprehensive as to warrant adoption in the operational CaPA configuration, although availability in experimental versions is recommended.
Identifer | oai:union.ndltd.org:LACETR/oai:collectionscanada.gc.ca:MWU.1993/22276 |
Date | 26 November 2013 |
Creators | Evans, Andrea Marie |
Contributors | Rasmussen, Peter (Civil Engineering), Stadnyk, Tricia (Civil Engineering) Acar, Elif (Statistics) |
Source Sets | Library and Archives Canada ETDs Repository / Centre d'archives des thèses électroniques de Bibliothèque et Archives Canada |
Detected Language | English |
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