LocClim 1.0, the "Local Climate Estimator" CD-ROM
FAO Environment and Natural Resources Service (SDRN) Working Paper N. 9

LocClim was developed to provide an estimate of climatic conditions at
locations for which no observations are available. To achieve this, the
programme uses the 28800 stations of FAOCLIM 2.0
(http://www.fao.org/sd/2001/EN1102_en.htm), the global agroclimatic database
maintained by the Agrometeorology Group of FAO.

Next to a "no questions asked" automatic mode, the "benchmark" mode gives
the user full control over the interpolation procedure (Inverse Distance
Weighting). Inputs can be taken from the keyboard (location specified either
by co-ordinates or by a click on a map) or from user-provided ASCII files.
Output can be in the form of ASCII files or user-defined georeferenced grids
in WinDisp format (http://www.fao.org/ES/giews/english/windisp/windisp.htm).

The programme also provides estimates of growing season characteristics
based on a comparison of rainfall and potential evapotranspiration
(Franquin's method).

Estimates of monthly, 10-daily and daily values of common climate variables
are given together with  error estimates, using a number of options to
correct for regional variability, altitude dependency and horizontal
gradients of the variables.  For any given location LocClim searches for the
nearest stations that fulfil given criteria (absolute number, maximum
distance, altitude constraints). If desired LocClim fits a linear altitude
function through the observations to reduce all of them to the elevation of
the desired location. This minimises the systematic error resulting from the
different elevations of the neighbouring stations. The altitude of the
desired location can either be given by the user or taken from a built-in
digital elevation model (DEM) with a spatial resolution of 10 km and an
altitudinal resolution of 20 m (DEM downgraded from the NOAA/NCDC Global
Land One-kilometre Base Elevation). If desired LocClim performs a climate
gradient correction by fitting a plane surface to the observations over the
latitude-longitude plane. Thus the smooth geographical climate variation is
taken into consideration. If desired a shadowing routine can be applied that
gives neighbours hidden by closer neighbours a low weight.

For a free copy of LocClim, kindly send a request to [log in to unmask],
providing your full mailing address.

Thank you for forwarding this announcement to interested colleagues

Regards,

Michele Bernardi
Agrometeorology Group, Room B-650
Environment and Natural Resources Service (SDRN)
Research, Extension and Training Division
Sustainable Development Department
Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO)
Viale delle Terme di Caracalla 00100 Rome (Italy)
Tel: +39-06-57052442; Fax: +39-06-57055731
E-mail: [log in to unmask] Web site: www.fao.org
Environmental information: www.fao.org/sd/ENdef_en.htm