Added value of EURO-CORDEX high-resolution downscaling over the Iberian Peninsula revisited – Part 2: Max and min temperature

Abstract. In the recent past, an increase in computation resources led to development of regional climate models with increasing domains and resolutions, spanning larger temporal periods. A good example is World Climate Research Program – Coordinated Regional Downscaling Experiment for European domain (EURO-CORDEX). This set encompasses entire continent a 130-year common period until end 21st century, while having 12 km horizontal resolution. Such simulations are computationally demanding, at same time not always showing added value. study considers recently proposed metric order assess value EURO-CORDEX hindcast (1989–2008) historical (1971–2005) maximum minimum temperature over Iberian Peninsula. approach allows evaluation higher against driving lower resolutions relative performance whole or partial probability density functions by observational regular gridded dataset as reference. Overall, gains more relevant comparison temperature, partially due known problems derived from snow–albedo–atmosphere feedback. For local scales, areas near coast reveal interior, which displays limited sometimes notable detrimental effects values around ?30 %. At time, extremes reveals similar range, although coastal regions locations interior contrasting losses temperature.