Abstract

This report, prepared by the Climate Change Technical Subcommittee of the central Puget Sound (WA) Regional Water Supply Planning Process, details the process of downscaling metrological data generated by General Circulation Models (GCMs) and evaluates the potential use of these data in evaluating the impacts of climate change in the Puget Sound. Comparison of the simulated Year 2000 period to the historic record reveals good overall agreement, though some minor challenges exist and are detailed. The downscaling method generates projections of base and future scenarios that are usable in detailed water resources studies. This study finds that global warming will have impacts on the Puget Sound region’s climate, and the nature of these impacts could present challenges to the region.