Seasonal drought predictions in the Mediterranean using the SPEI index: paving the way for their operational applicability in climate services

We evaluate different methodological choices for seasonal drought prediction over the Mediterranean region with the multi-dimensional Standardised Evapotranspiration Precipitation Index accumulated over a 3-month time-scale (SPEI-3), based on the ECMWF SEAS5.1 operational prediction system. We analy...

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Detalles Bibliográficos
Autores: Brands, Swen Franz|||0000-0002-3254-0277, Iturbide Martínez de Albéniz, Maialen|||0000-0002-5048-0941, Díez González-Pardo, Jaime, Herrera García, Sixto|||0000-0002-5384-179X, Bedía Jiménez, Joaquín, Manzanas, Rodrigo|||0000-0002-0001-3448, Rodriguez Guisado, Esteban, Beguería Portugués, Santiago, Vicente Serrano, Sergio Martín, Gutiérrez Llorente, José Manuel
Tipo de recurso: artículo
Fecha de publicación:2025
País:España
Institución:Universidad de Cantabria (UC)
Repositorio:UCrea Repositorio Abierto de la Universidad de Cantabria
Idioma:inglés
OAI Identifier:oai:repositorio.unican.es:10902/35959
Acceso en línea:https://hdl.handle.net/10902/35959
Access Level:acceso abierto
Palabra clave:Seasonal forecasting
Drought
SPEI
Numerical Modelling
Iberian peninsula
Mediterranean
Descripción
Sumario:We evaluate different methodological choices for seasonal drought prediction over the Mediterranean region with the multi-dimensional Standardised Evapotranspiration Precipitation Index accumulated over a 3-month time-scale (SPEI-3), based on the ECMWF SEAS5.1 operational prediction system. We analyse two strategies for constructing the index backfilling data prior to model initialization, using real-time quasi-observations from the ERA5 reanalysis (SPEI-3-R), or model data from previous initializations of the same prediction system (SPEI- 3-M), and show that model skill is sensitive to these methodological choices. The long 42-year hindcast/prediction record available for this model (1981-2022) allows for a robust skill assessment. A window of significant skill, extending from May to October, is detected over the Iberian Peninsula. This window arises from the cumulative and multivariate nature of the index and cannot entirely be explained by the individual skill of the components, nor by the warming trend during the validation period. Based on these results, seasonal drought predictions relying on the SPEI are currently being enabled in the framework of a new generation of climate services developed in Spain. These go beyond alternative applications available to-date, which usually rely on simpler indices and/or shorter model verification periods.

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