Regional climate models (RCMs) have become increasingly important tools in the study of regional climate processes and in the generation of regional climate change projections and seasonal to decadal predictions. In particular, under the endorsement and scientific initiative of the World Climate Research Programme (WCRP), a new international program, the Coordinated Regional climate Downscaling Experiment (CORDEX), has been implemented to evaluate and improve regional downscaling techniques and produce a new generation of regional climate projections for use in impact/adaptation studies.

In this session contributions are solicited on all aspects of regional climate change and regional climate modeling, including work conducted as part of international cooperative RCM projects such as CORDEX.

Specific themes for the session include:

* Regional climate modeling, dynamics and physical processes in RCMs
* Studies of extremes (heat waves, drough, flood) using RCMs
* Regional climate change projections and seasonal to decadal predictions using RCMs
* Aerosols and their regional impacts on climate
* Regional climate information for use in impact/adaptation studies
* Land-Surface interactions and climate feedback
* Results from the CORDEX program