Climate indicators for Austria since 1961 at 1 km resolution

Area of Science:

• Environmental Science
• Climatology
• Data Science

Background:

• Climate indicators are crucial for tracking climate change and its impacts.
• High-quality, FAIR data principles-adherent datasets are needed for reliable climate research.
• Existing datasets may lack the resolution or scope required for detailed spatial analyses.

Purpose of the Study:

• To present a curated dataset of 117 climate indicators for Austria.
• To provide data at a 1-km spatial resolution covering the period from 1961 onward.
• To offer a robust and flexible resource for climate research and decision-making.

Main Methods:

• A workflow was developed to compute 117 climate indicators including temperature, precipitation, radiation, snow, runoff, and humidity.
• Data were spatially aggregated (area means) and temporally aggregated (climatological reference period means).
• A technical validation procedure ensured the quality and reliability of the computed indices.

Main Results:

• A comprehensive dataset of 117 climate indicators for Austria was created.
• The dataset offers a 1-km spatial resolution and covers the period from 1961 onward.
• The indicators include variables related to temperature, precipitation, radiation, snow, runoff, and humidity.

Conclusions:

• The presented dataset and workflow provide a valuable resource for climate impact analysis and attribution studies.
• The flexibility of the workflow allows for the creation of additional climate indices.
• This resource supports informed decision-making for climate change adaptation and mitigation efforts.