arXiv subjects

Petra Friederichs

Publications and source records attributed to Petra Friederichs.

15 recordsLinked to original sources

arXiv2026

On the role of moderator and mediator variables in conditional event attribution of heatwaves over Europe

This study examines how a risk-based attribution analysis of European heat wave events under climate change varies when explanatory variables are included in the analysis. Instead of relying solely on temperature statistics, the analysis is conducted while conditioning on large-scale circulation or pre-existing climate anomalies. Using the hot European summers of 2006 and 2007 as examples, we observe several systematic effects. Controlling for the presence of atmospheric blocking explains much of the natural temperature variability and greatly improves the separation of present and pre-industrial distributions in both years. In 2006, the predominant strong blocking raised the expected temperatures, so that, by comparison, the observed anomaly no longer appeared unusually hot, even in a pre-industrial climate. More complex effects occur when the conditions are part of the causal chain of climate change, for example, acting as moderators or mediators. By conditioning on such variables, we may remove part of the climate change signal and thus fundamentally alter the outcome of the attribution study. Using a simplified model we demonstrate why attribution studies with different kinds of conditions can reach different, seemingly contradictory conclusions.

physics.ao-ph↗

arXiv2026

Non-stationary time series attribution for heatwaves over Europe

The increasing occurrence of extreme weather events since the beginning of the 21st century has led to the development of new methods to attribute extreme events to anthropogenic climate change. The way in which the extreme event is defined has a major influence on the attribution result. A frequently overlooked aspect concerns the temporal dependence of extremes. This study presents an approach for attributing complete time series during extreme events to anthropogenic forcing. The approach is based on a non-stationary Markov process using bivariate extreme value theory to model the temporal dependence of the time series. We calculate the likelihood ratio of an observational time series from ERA5 given the distributions as estimated from CMIP6 simulations with historical natural-only and natural and anthropogenic forcing scenarios. The spatial fields are condensed by the extremal pattern index (EPI) as a compact description of spatial extremes. In addition, the study examines the extent to which attribution statements about the occurrence of extreme heat events change when the effect of the mean warming is eliminated. The resulting attribution statement provides very strong evidence for the scenario with anthropogenic drivers over Europe, especially since the beginning of the 21st century. For central and southern Europe, the influence of anthropogenic greenhouse gas emissions on heatwaves could already have been proven in the 1960s using today's knowledge. There is no reliable signal apart from a general shift in the temperature distribution, neither in terms of the temporal dependence of extreme heat days nor in terms of the shape of the extreme value distribution.

physics.ao-ph↗

arXiv2025

Post-processing of wind gusts from COSMO-REA6 with a spatial Bayesian hierarchical extreme value model

The aim of this study is to provide a probabilistic gust analysis for the region of Germany that is calibrated with station observations and with an interpolation to unobserved locations. To this end, we develop a spatial Bayesian hierarchical model (BHM) for the post-processing of surface maximum wind gusts from the COSMO-REA6 reanalysis. Our approach uses a non-stationary extreme value distribution for the gust observations, with parameters that vary according to a linear model using COSMO-REA6 predictor variables. To capture spatial patterns in surface wind gust behavior, the regression coefficients are modeled as 2-dimensional Gaussian random fields with a constant mean and an isotropic covariance function that depends on the distance between locations. In addition, we include an elevation offset in the distance metric for the covariance function to account for the topography. This allows us to include data from mountaintop stations in the training process. The training of the BHM is carried out with an independent data set from which the data at the station to be predicted are excluded. We evaluate the spatial prediction performance at the withheld station using Brier score and quantile score, including their decomposition, and compare the performance of our BHM to climatological forecasts and a non-hierarchical, spatially constant baseline model. This is done for 109 weather stations in Germany. Compared to the spatially constant baseline model, the spatial BHM significantly improves the estimation of local gust parameters. It shows up to 5 % higher skill for prediction quantiles and provides a particularly improved skill for extreme wind gusts. In addition, the BHM improves the prediction of threshold levels at most of the stations. Although a spatially constant approach already provides high skill, our BHM further improves predictions and improves spatial consistency.

physics.ao-ph↗

arXiv2024

Reconciling risk-based and storyline attribution with Bayes theorem

The question to what extent climate change is responsible for extreme weather events has been at the forefront of public and scholarly discussion for years. Proponents of the "risk-based" approach to attribution attempt to give an unconditional answer based on the probability of some class of events in a world with and without human influences. As an alternative, so-called "storyline" studies investigate the impact of a warmer world on a single, specific weather event. This can be seen as a conditional attribution statement. In this study, we connect conditional to unconditional attribution using Bayes theorem: in essence, the conditional statement is composed of two unconditional statements, one based on all available data (event and conditions) and one based on the conditions alone. We explore the effects of the conditioning in a simple statistical toy model and a real-world attribution of European summer temperatures conditional on blocking. The resulting attribution statement is generally strengthened if the conditions are not affected by climate change. Conversely, if part of the trend is contained in the conditions, a weaker attribution statement may result.

physics.ao-ph↗

arXiv2019

Local dimension and recurrent circulation patterns in long-term climate simulations

With the recent advent of a sound mathematical theory for extreme events in dynamical systems, new ways of analyzing a system's inherent properties have become available: Studying only the probabilities of extremely close Poincaré recurrences, we can infer the underlying attractor's local dimensionality -- a quantity which is closely linked to the predictability of individual configurations, as well as the information gained from observing them. This study examines possible ways of estimating local and global attractor dimensions, identifies potential pitfalls and discusses conceivable applications. The Portable University Model of the Atmosphere (PUMA) serves a test subject of intermediate complexity between simple mathematical toys and truly realistic atmospheric data-sets. It is demonstrated that the introduction of a simple, analytical estimator can streamline the procedure and allows for additional tests of the agreement between theoretical expectation and observed data. We furthermore show how the newly gained knowledge about local dimensions can complement classical techniques like principal component analysis and may assist in separating meaningful patterns from mathematical artifacts.

physics.ao-ph↗

arXiv2018

Spatial verification of high-resolution ensemble precipitation forecasts using local wavelet spectra

The purpose of this study is to perform verification of the structural characteristics of high-resolution spatial forecasts without relying on an object identification algorithm. To this end, a wavelet approach developed for image texture analysis is applied to an ensemble of high-resolution quantitative precipitation forecasts. The forecasts are verified against estimates from a high-resolution regional reanalysis with a similar model version. The wavelet approach estimates an averaged wavelet spectrum for each spatial field of the ensemble forecasts and the reanalysis, thereby removing all information on the localization of precipitation and investigating solely the overall structure of forecasts and reanalysis. In order to assess skill using a multivariate score, an additional reduction of dimensionality is needed. This is performed using singular vectors from a linear discriminant analysis as it favors data compression in the direction where the ensemble is most discriminating. We discuss implications of this strategy, show that the averaged wavelet spectra give valuable information on forecast performance. The skill difference between a so-called perfect forecast using for verification a member of the ensemble, and the non-perfect forecast using the reanalysis points to significant deficiencies of the forecast ensemble. Overall, the discriminating power solely based on global spectral information is remarkable, and the COSMO-DE-EPS is a quite good forecast ensemble with respect to the reanalysis.

stat.AP↗

arXiv2017

Estimating space-time trend and dependence of heavy rainfall

A new approach for evaluating time-trends in extreme values accounting also for spatial dependence is proposed. Based on exceedances over a space-time threshold, estimators for a trend function and for extreme value parameters are given, leading to a homogenization procedure for then applying stationary extreme value processes. Extremal dependence over space is further evaluated through variogram analysis including anisotropy. We detect significant inhomogeneities and trends in the extremal behaviour of daily precipitation data over a time period of 84 years and from 68 observational weather stations in North-West Germany. We observe that the trend is not monotonous over time in general. Asymptotic normality of the estimators under maximum domain of attraction conditions are proven.

stat.ME↗

arXiv2017

A Matern based multivariate Gaussian random process for a consistent model of the horizontal wind components and related variables

The integration of physical relationships into stochastic models is of major interest e.g. in data assimilation. Here, a multivariate Gaussian random field formulation is introduced, which represents the differential relations of the two-dimensional wind field and related variables such as streamfunction, velocity potential, vorticity and divergence. The covariance model is based on a flexible bivariate Matérn covariance function for streamfunction and velocity potential. It allows for different variances in the potentials, non-zero correlations between them, anisotropy and a flexible smoothness parameter. The joint covariance function of the related variables is derived analytically. Further, it is shown that a consistent model with non-zero correlations between the potentials and positive definite covariance function is possible. The statistical model is fitted to forecasts of the horizontal wind fields of a mesoscale numerical weather prediction system. Parameter uncertainty is assessed by a parametric bootstrap method. The estimates reveal only physically negligible correlations between the potentials. In contrast to the numerical estimator, the statistical estimator of the ratio between the variances of the rotational and divergent wind components is unbiased.

stat.AP↗

arXiv2017

Stochastic Parameterization: Towards a new view of Weather and Climate Models

The last decade has seen the success of stochastic parameterizations in short-term, medium-range and seasonal forecasts: operational weather centers now routinely use stochastic parameterization schemes to better represent model inadequacy and improve the quantification of forecast uncertainty. Developed initially for numerical weather prediction, the inclusion of stochastic parameterizations not only provides better estimates of uncertainty, but it is also extremely promising for reducing longstanding climate biases and relevant for determining the climate response to external forcing. This article highlights recent developments from different research groups which show that the stochastic representation of unresolved processes in the atmosphere, oceans, land surface and cryosphere of comprehensive weather and climate models (a) gives rise to more reliable probabilistic forecasts of weather and climate and (b) reduces systematic model bias. We make a case that the use of mathematically stringent methods for the derivation of stochastic dynamic equations will lead to substantial improvements in our ability to accurately simulate weather and climate at all scales. Recent work in mathematics, statistical mechanics and turbulence is reviewed, its relevance for the climate problem demonstrated, and future research directions outlined.

physics.ao-ph↗

arXiv2016

Spatial Verification Using Wavelet Transforms: A Review

Due to the emergence of new high resolution numerical weather prediction (NWP) models and the availability of new or more reliable remote sensing data, the importance of efficient spatial verification techniques is growing. Wavelet transforms offer an effective framework to decompose spatial data into separate (and possibly orthogonal) scales and directions. Most wavelet based spatial verification techniques have been developed or refined in the last decade and concentrate on assessing forecast performance (i.e. forecast skill or forecast error) on distinct physical scales. Particularly during the last five years, a significant growth in meteorological applications could be observed. However, a comparison with other scientific fields such as feature detection, image fusion, texture analysis, or facial and biometric recognition, shows that there is still a considerable, currently unused potential to derive useful diagnostic information. In order to tab the full potential of wavelet analysis, we revise the state-of-the art in one- and two-dimensional wavelet analysis and its application with emphasis on spatial verification. We further use a technique developed for texture analysis in the context of high-resolution quantitative precipitation forecasts, which is able to assess structural characteristics of the precipitation fields and allows efficient clustering of ensemble data.

physics.ao-ph↗

arXiv2016

Using the SAL technique for spatial verification of cloud processes: A sensitivity analysis

The feature based spatial verification method SAL is applied to cloud data, i.e. two-dimensional spatial fields of total cloud cover and spectral radiance. Model output is obtained from the COSMO-DE forward operator SynSat and compared to SEVIRI satellite data. The aim of this study is twofold. First, to assess the applicability of SAL to this kind of data, and second, to analyze the role of external object identification algorithms (OIA) and the effects of observational uncertainties on the resulting scores. As a feature based method, SAL requires external OIA. A comparison of three different algorithms shows that the threshold level, which is a fundamental part of all studied algorithms, induces high sensitivity and unstable behavior of object dependent SAL scores (i.e. even very small changes in parameter values can lead to large changes in the resulting scores). An in-depth statistical analysis reveals significant effects on distributional quantities commonly used in the interpretation of SAL, e.g. median and interquartile distance. Two sensitivity indicators based on the univariate cumulative distribution functions are derived. They allow to asses the sensitivity of the SAL scores to threshold level changes without computationally expensive iterative calculations of SAL for various thresholds. The mathematical structure of these indicators connects the sensitivity of the SAL scores to parameter changes with the effect of observational uncertainties. Finally, the discriminating power of SAL is studied. It is shown, that - for large-scale cloud data - changes in the parameters may have larger effects on the object dependent SAL scores (i.e. the S and L2 scores) than a complete loss of temporal collocation.

physics.ao-ph↗

arXiv2015

Statistical Post-Processing of Forecasts for Extremes Using Bivariate Brown-Resnick Processes with an Application to Wind Gusts

To improve the forecasts of weather extremes, we propose a joint spatial model for the observations and the forecasts, based on a bivariate Brown-Resnick process. As the class of stationary bivariate Brown-Resnick processes is fully characterized by the class of pseudo cross-variograms, we contribute to the theorical understanding of pseudo cross-variograms refining the knowledge of the asymptotic behaviour of all their components and introducing a parsimonious, but flexible parametric model. Both findings are of interest in classical geostatistics on their own. The proposed model is applied to real observation and forecast data for extreme wind gusts at 119 stations in Northern Germany.

stat.ME↗

arXiv2015

Quantile forecast discrimination ability and value

While probabilistic forecast verification for categorical forecasts is well established, some of the existing concepts and methods have not found their equivalent for the case of continuous variables. New tools dedicated to the assessment of forecast discrimination ability and forecast value are introduced here, based on quantile forecasts being the base product for the continuous case (hence in a nonparametric framework). The relative user characteristic (RUC) curve and the quantile value plot allow analysing the performance of a forecast for a specific user in a decision-making framework. The RUC curve is designed as a user-based discrimination tool and the quantile value plot translates forecast discrimination ability in terms of economic value. The relationship between the overall value of a quantile forecast and the respective quantile skill score is also discussed. The application of these new verification approaches and tools is illustrated based on synthetic datasets, as well as for the case of global radiation forecasts from the high resolution ensemble COSMO-DE-EPS of the German Weather Service.

physics.ao-ph↗

arXiv2014

Downscaling near-surface atmospheric fields with multi-objective Genetic Programming

The coupling of models for the different components of the Soil-Vegetation-Atmosphere-System is required to investigate component interactions and feedback processes. However, the component models for atmosphere, land-surface and subsurface are usually operated at different resolutions in space and time owing to the dominant processes. The computationally often more expensive atmospheric models, for instance, are typically employed at a coarser resolution than land-surface and subsurface models. Thus up- and downscaling procedures are required at the interface between the atmospheric model and the land-surface/subsurface models. We apply multi-objective Genetic Programming (GP) to a training data set of high-resolution atmospheric model runs to learn equations or short programs that reconstruct the fine-scale fields (e.g., 400 m resolution) of the near-surface atmospheric state variables from the coarse atmospheric model output (e.g., 2.8 km resolution). Like artificial neural networks, GP can flexibly incorporate multivariate and nonlinear relations, but offers the advantage that the solutions are human readable and thus can be checked for physical consistency. Using the Strength Pareto Approach for multi-objective fitness assignment allows us to consider multiple characteristics of the fine-scale fields during the learning procedure.

physics.ao-ph↗

arXiv2012

Forecast verification for extreme value distributions with an application to probabilistic peak wind prediction

Predictions of the uncertainty associated with extreme events are a vital component of any prediction system for such events. Consequently, the prediction system ought to be probabilistic in nature, with the predictions taking the form of probability distributions. This paper concerns probabilistic prediction systems where the data is assumed to follow either a generalized extreme value distribution (GEV) or a generalized Pareto distribution (GPD). In this setting, the properties of proper scoring rules which facilitate the assessment of the prediction uncertainty are investigated and closed-from expressions for the continuous ranked probability score (CRPS) are provided. In an application to peak wind prediction, the predictive performance of a GEV model under maximum likelihood estimation, optimum score estimation with the CRPS, and a Bayesian framework are compared. The Bayesian inference yields the highest overall prediction skill and is shown to be a valuable tool for covariate selection, while the predictions obtained under optimum CRPS estimation are the sharpest and give the best performance for high thresholds and quantiles.

stat.AP↗