A southeastern south american daily gridded dataset of observed surface minimum and maximum temperature for 1961-2000

Abstract

A southeastern South American daily high-resolution gridded dataset of observed surface minimum and maximum temperature for 1961-2000 is presented. The interpolation methodology was adapted from the one developed for Europe as part of the EU FP6 ENSEMBLE-based predictions of climate changes and their impacts (ENSEMBLES) project. The gridded dataset presented in this study was developed from daily surface minimum and maximum temperature data observed at meteorological stations from Argentina, Brazil, Paraguay, and Uruguay, compiled during the EU FP6 CLARIS project, with additional Brazilian data gathered after the end of that project. Before data were entered into the CLARIS database, they were quality controlled following a common set of tests. The interpolation methodology used to convert irregularly spaced observations at station points to regular grid boxes was developed during the EU FP6 ENSEMBLES project and consists of a three-step procedure involving the use of the kriging method.