Recent improvements in the E-OBS gridded data set for daily mean wind speed over Europe in the period 1980–2021

Abstract

In this work, we present the most recent updates in the E-OBS gridded data set for daily mean wind speed over Europe. The data set is provided as an ensemble of 20 equally likely realisations. The main improvements of this data set are the use of forward selection linear regression for the monthly background field, as well as a method to ensure the reliability of the ensemble dispersion. In addition, we make a preliminary study into possible causes of the observed terrestrial wind stilling effect, such as local changes in surface roughness length.