A multi-decadal 1 km gridded database of continental-scale spring onset products

Abstract

Abstract The timing of spring onset is a particularly sensitive climate change indicator that also allows the study of weather interannual variations and extremes. This indicator can be derived from a suite of phenological models called the Extended Spring Indices (SI-x). These models transform daily minimum and maximum temperatures into a set of consistent indices that track the timing of first leaf and first bloom for key indicator plant species. The SI-x also enables the calculation of the so-called frost damage index. Using new computational technologies and high spatial resolution gridded weather data, here we present and evaluate a multi-decadal 1 km spatial resolution version of the SI-x models, which cover North American (1980 to 2022) and European areas (1950 to 2020). Because of the generally good agreement with ground phenological observations, this continental-scale and high spatial resolution product can support both scientists and decision makers in their quest to hind- and forecast weather and climate change impacts.