WRF Dynamical Downscaling Dataset for the U.S. Midwest (2065–2069): ARISE-SAI vs. SSP2-4.5 Scenarios

This dataset contains high-resolution (3-km) dynamical downscaling simulations for the U.S. Midwest, generated using the Weather Research and Forecasting (WRF) model.

The simulations bridge the gap between global climate projections and regional-scale impacts, specifically comparing a stratospheric aerosol injection (SAI) intervention scenario against a standard greenhouse gas warming pathway.

The data were produced by downscaling the Community Earth System Model version 2 (CESM2) as part of the research presented in Nguyen et al. (2026). The study evaluates the regional signals of extreme precipitation under climate intervention.

Temporal and Spatial Scope

• Region: U.S. Midwest domain.

• Period: 2065–2069.

• Horizontal Resolution: 3 km.

• Frequency: Daily and Monthly means.

File Descriptions and Variables

The dataset includes the following NetCDF (.nc) files:

Methodology

The WRF simulations were forced by 3-hourly atmospheric and surface fields from CESM2. The CESM2 experiments are ARISE-SAI (Assessing Responses and Impacts of Solar climate intervention on the Earth system with Stratospheric Aerosol Injection) and the Shared Socioeconomic Pathway 2-4.5 (SSP2-4.5) reference scenario.

References

Nguyen, T., Kravitz, B., Hurrell, J. W., Rasmussen, K. L., O’Brien, T. A., Ficklin, D. L., Visioni, D., Sun, L., Li, T., "Dynamical downscaling for Solar geoengineering: U.S. Midwest extreme precipitation signals and implications for future simulations," Geophysical Research Letters, 2026 (In preparation).