Evaluation framework for sub-daily rainfall extremes simulated by regional climate models

Abstract Sub-daily precipitation extremes are high-impact events that can result in flash floods, sewer system overload, or landslides. Several studies have reported an intensification of projected short-duration extreme rainfall a warmer future climate. Traditionally, regional climate models (RCMs) run at coarse resolution using deep-convection parameterization for these events. As computational resources continuously ramping up, convection-permitting resolution, thereby partly resolving the small-scale explicitly. To date, comprehensive evaluation is still missing. We propose strategy simulated sub-daily summarizes overall RCM performance. More specifically, following metrics addressed: seasonal/diurnal cycle, temperature and humidity dependency, temporal scaling spatio-temporal clustering. The aim this paper is: (i) to provide statistical modeling framework some metrics, based on value analysis, (ii) apply micro-ensemble simulations over Belgium, against high-frequency observations, (iii) investigate added scales with respect coarser 12-km resolution. find improved shorter time (i.e, hourly two-hourly), but not 6h-24h scales. Some such as diurnal cycle Clausius-Clapeyron rate by models, whereas seasonal appears robust across spatial On other hand, dependence poorly represented both Our provides perspectives improving high-resolution atmospheric numerical datasets hydrological applications.