10-year return levels of precipitation over Europe based on the CRCM5-LE

10-year return levels of precipitation for hourly, 3-hourly, 6-hourly, 12-hourly and 24-hourly durations are calculated based on the 50-member regional climate model (RCM) large ensemble CRCM5-LE at a spatial resolution of 0.11° (~ 12.5km). The return levels thereby provide estimations for areal extreme precipitation for the time period of 1980-2009. If compared to in-situ observations, areal reduction factors have to be applied. The return levels are derived for each of the 50 RCM members separately, which induces a range of 50 return level values at each grid cell.

The data are stored as txt-files featuring comma separated values in order to ensure an easy access, also for non-scientific applications. The data set includes the median value as well as the 5%- and 95%-quantiles. Additionally, the geographic coordinates (WGS84) are given. Hence, data can be processed via spreadsheet software, GIS applications and scientific program code.