Cell tracking of convective rainfall: sensitivity of climate-change signal to tracking algorithm and cell definition (Cell-TAO v1.0)

Abstract. Lagrangian analysis of convective precipitation involves identifying cells (“objects”) and tracking them through space time. The approach helps to gain insight into the physical properties impacts and, in particular, how these may respond climate change. requires both a fixed definition what constitutes object reliable algorithm. Whether climate-change signals various are sensitive choice algorithm or is defined has received little attention. Here we perform ensemble pseudo-global-warming experiments at convection-permitting resolution test this question. Using two conceptually different algorithms, systematically repeated with thresholds for defining object, namely minimum values area, intensity lifetime. It found that threshold criteria can have strong statistically significant impact on magnitude signal, all analysed properties. method, meanwhile, no signal as long data sufficiently high temporal resolution: general, lower permitted size is, higher data's must be. For case considered our study, insights reveal irrespective projected changes characteristics rainfall vary considerably between differing intensity, area