Performance Evaluation of ERA5 Extreme Precipitation in the Yangtze River Delta, China

Accurate extreme precipitation information is crucial for disaster risk management, social and economic development security, climate change research. Taking the Yangtze River Delta (YRD), China, a high-impact area of precipitation, as an example, this study evaluates spatiotemporal performance in latest fifth-generation reanalysis dataset from European Centre Medium-Range Weather Forecasts (i.e., ECMWF ERA5) 1961–2018 based on surface observational data. The results showed that 90th-percentile threshold extracted ERA5 data with daily amount >1 mm closer to actual observations. can effectively capture patterns observed YRD. successfully represent seasonal cycle interannual variability daily, daytime, nighttime precipitation. However, daytime (nighttime) frequencies amounts tend be overestimated (underestimated) period 1961–2000, whereas they were significantly underestimated 2000–2018. trend estimation annual needs improved. revealed YRD was dominated by large-scale followed convective but their long-term trends not clear. This has conducted detailed reliable evaluation findings serve valuable guidance provide accurate references climatic variables users algorithm developers.