EMMA-Tracker v1.0: a mesoscale convective system tracker and 27-year European observational climatology

Kneidinger, David; Schaffer, Armin; Maraun, Douglas

doi:10.5194/gmd-19-5119-2026

Articles | Volume 19, issue 11

https://doi.org/10.5194/gmd-19-5119-2026

© Author(s) 2026. This work is distributed under
the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License.

https://doi.org/10.5194/gmd-19-5119-2026

© Author(s) 2026. This work is distributed under
the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License.

Articles | Volume 19, issue 11

Methods for assessment of models

|

15 Jun 2026

Methods for assessment of models |

| 15 Jun 2026

EMMA-Tracker v1.0: a mesoscale convective system tracker and 27-year European observational climatology

David Kneidinger, Armin Schaffer, and Douglas Maraun

Supplement

https://doi.org/10.5194/gmd-19-5119-2026-supplement

Data sets

27-Year Dataset of European Warm-Season Mesoscale Convective System David Kneidinger https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.18234276

ERA5 hourly data on single levels from 1940 to present H. Hersbach et al. https://doi.org/10.24381/cds.adbb2d47

ERA5 Pressure Level Input Data for EMMA-Trackerv1.0 Climatology (Part 1: 1998-2010) David Knedinger https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.19347622

ERA5 Pressure Level Input Data for EMMA-Trackerv1.0 Climatology (Part 2: 2011-2024) David Knedinger https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.19347730

ERA5 Surface and IMERG Precipitation Input Data for EMMA-Trackerv1.0 Climatology (1998-2024) David Knedinger https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.19347740

GPM IMERG Final Precipitation L3 Half Hourly V07 G. J. Huffman et al. https://doi.org/10.5067/GPM/IMERG/3B-HH/07

ERA5 hourly data on pressure levels from 1940 to present H. Hersbach et al. https://doi.org/10.24381/cds.bd0915c6

Model code and software

EMMA-Tracker v1.0: A lifecycle-based algorithm for identifying and tracking mesoscale convective systems in observations and climate models David Knedinger et al. https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.19233057

DavidKneidinger/emma-analysis: EMMA-Tracker Initial Public Release Codes David Knedinger https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.19234249

Short summary

Mesoscale Convective Systems cause extreme weather and flash floods, yet they remain difficult to simulate in climate models. We developed a tracking tool to identify these storms using standard model data. Our 27-year record for Europe shows these systems drive over 60 percent of heavy hourly rain in the warm-season. This algorithm allows us to evaluate climate model performance and investigate how these intense storms will change in a warming climate.