New high-resolution gridded dataset of daily mean, minimum, and maximum temperature and relative humidity for Central Europe (HYRAS)

Abstract

This study presents daily high-resolution (5 km × 5 km) grids of mean, minimum, and maximum temperature and relative humidity for Germany and its catchment areas, from 1951 to 2015. These observational datasets (HYRAS) are based upon measurements gathered for Germany and its neighbouring countries, in total more than 1300 stations, gridded in two steps: first, the generation of a background field, using non-linear vertical temperature profiles, and then an inverse distance weighting scheme to interpolate the residuals, subsequently added onto the background field. The modified Euclidian distances used integrate elevation, distance to the coast, and urban heat island (UHI) effect. A direct station-grid comparison and cross-validation yield low errors for the temperature grids over most of the domain and greater deviations in more complex terrain. The interpolation of relative humidity is more uncertain due to its inherent spatial inhomogeneity and indirect derivation using dew point temperature. Compared with other gridded observational datasets, HYRAS benefits from its high resolution and captures complex topographic effects. HYRAS improves upon its predecessor by providing datasets for additional variables (minimum and maximum temperature), integrating temperature inversions, maritime influence and UHI effect, and representing a larger area. With a long-term observational dataset of multiple meteorological variables also including precipitation, various climatological analyses are possible. We present long-term historical climate trends and relevant indices of climate extremes, pointing towards a significantly warming climate over Germany, with no significant change in total precipitation. We also evaluate extreme events, specifically the summer heat waves of 2003 and 2015.