Rossby Centre is involved in national and international projects on climate modelling and research, and on the application of climate information for decision-making for adaptation as well as for measures that limit climate effects (climate mitigation).
The research at Rossby Centre aims at increased knowledge about the future climate with a focus on societal benefits. It includes climatological, meteorological, oceanographic and hydrological aspects. The work includes a chain of activities with model development, climate simulations and evaluation of data for climate studies and climate services at SMHI, in Sweden and in Europe, climate information, as well as application of model data for impact and adaptation studies. Rossby Centre participates in national and international projects in climate modelling, climate research and the application of climate information.
Facts and knowledge from our research are used in decisions on measures to limit climate-change emissions (mitigation) to reduce negative climate effects and consequences for society and the natural environment, and to plan and adapt society to a new, changed climate in due time.
Models to simulate the climate
Rossby Centre develops three-dimensional numerical models of the climate system. The models are based on mathematical descriptions of the physical interaction between processes in the climate system, and describes the interplay between atmosphere, sea, land and ice. The climate models are verified against observations of the climate up to today. The researchers also calculate how robust and reliable the results are with different assumptions about future greenhouse gas emissions, in order to increase the usefulness of the results.
Climate scenarios are produced with both global and regional climate models and are differently detailed at global, regional and local level. The climate scenarios can be used as a basis for society beneficial decisions and for further research.
The current regional climate model at Rossby Centre is HARMONIE-Climate (HCLIM), which is used for detailed climate scenarios. These include extreme events much more realistic than was possible in previous models. HCLIM will be expanded with coupled versions with ocean models and vegetation processes. The regional atmospheric model RCA is about to be phased out.
Rossby Centre has developed a global climate model EC-Earth3, which is used for international projects on global warming. Data and results from EC-Earth3 are included in the research that forms the basis for the conclusions presented in the latest report from the UN Climate Panel IPCC AR6. A new global climate system model, EC-EARTH4, is now being developed in collaboration with a consortium of European weather services and universities and the European Centre for Medium Range Weather Forecasts (ECMWF).
Rossby Centre thus delivers climate knowledge, data and information as a scientific basis for decisions. This is done in collaboration with other groups within SMHI and in national and international projects.