Data and Processing Codes for "Future Changes in Winter-Time Extratropical Cyclones over South Africa from CORDEX-CORE Simulations"

This repository contains the data and processing codes used in the study "Future Changes in Winter-Time Extratropical Cyclones over South Africa from CORDEX-CORE Simulations," submitted to Earth's Future. The cyclone tracks analyzed in the study were derived using the TRACK algorithm developed by Kevin I. Hodges, which identifies and tracks extratropical cyclones from CORDEX-CORE model outputs.

The repository includes:

1. Cyclone Tracks:

   • Original Tracks: Cyclone tracks output directly from the TRACK algorithm.
   • Processed Tracks: Tracks filtered for wintertime and the South African region, prepared for analysis.

2. Processing Codes: Python scripts used for pre- and post-processing of the TRACK algorithm outputs. These scripts are designed for:

   • Extracting relevant cyclone metrics such as frequency, intensity, duration, distance, storm severity, and rainfall.
   • Aggregating and visualizing cyclone statistics for wintertime in the South African region.
   • Performing trend analyses under historical and future climate scenarios.
     
     

3. Visualization Scripts: Codes for creating plots and figures presented in the study, including spatial maps and trend analyses of cyclone characteristics.

Important Note:
The cyclone tracks used in this study are not included in this repository and must be obtained directly from the TRACK algorithm. Please contact Kevin I. Hodges for access to TRACK and further information about its application.

Usage Notes:

    Codes are written in Python 3.9+ and utilize commonly used libraries such as pandas, xarray, numpy, and matplotlib.
    The TRACK algorithm is required to replicate the cyclone tracking process.

Keywords: Cyclone tracking, TRACK algorithm, South Africa, CORDEX-CORE, Extratropical cyclones, Climate change, Python