VHR-PRO_IT Downscaling of COSMO-CLM @2.2 km over Italy

This climate projection dataset, named “VHR-PRO_IT” and produced within the Highlander project, has an horizontal resolution of -2.2 km resolution (i.e., Convection Permitting Scale) thanks to dynamical downscaling with CMCC-CM global model over the period 1981-2070, adopting the IPCC historical plus RCP8.5 scenario. An intermediate dynamical downscaling has been conducted through the configuration of regional climate model (RCM) COSMO-CLM at 8 km over Italy, previously provided by Fondazione CMCC. The temporal resolution of outputs is hourly. Runs cover the whole Italian territory (and neighbouring areas according to the necessary computation boundary), so to provide a very detailed (in terms of space-time resolution) and comprehensive (in terms of meteorological fields) dataset of projected Climatological data for at least 90 years (01/1981-12/2070). All output variables are on single levels except soil water content that is provided for 7 soil levels. Products: 1. VHR-PRO_IT historical climate (1981/2005) 2. VHR-PRO_IT future climate (2006/2070) under scenario RCP8.5 Variables: surface evaporation (kg m-2) averaged surface net downward shortwave radiation (W m-2) averaged surface net downward longwave radiation (W m-2) total cloud cover (1) mean sea level pressure (Pa) 2 m specific humidity (kg kg-1) 2 m dew pointtemperature (K) 2 m maximum temperature (K) 2 m minimum temperature (K) total precipitation amount (kg m-2) 2 m temperature (K) U-component of 10 m wind (m s-1) V-component of 10 m wind (m s-1) surface snow amount (m) soil water content (m)