Validation of ERA5 Reanalysis Temperature Data Against In-Situ Observations: A Case Study of Alexandria Port, Egypt | ||||
| Egyptian Journal of Aquatic Biology and Fisheries | ||||
| Article 59, Volume 29, Issue 4, July and August 2025, Page 1041-1059 PDF (730.61 K) | ||||
| DOI: 10.21608/ejabf.2025.442683 | ||||
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| Author | ||||
| ElBessa et al. | ||||
| Abstract | ||||
| Surface air temperature is a critical parameter for developing climate change mitigation and adaptation strategies, as it directly supports port operations, urban planning, and climate research aimed at understanding long-term climatic trends. This study evaluated the reliability and accuracy of the ERA5 reanalysis dataset for Alexandria Port by comparing it with observed data from the Alexandria coastal weather station over the period 2010 to 2020. The focus is on 2-meter surface air temperature (T2m), with data analyzed across hourly, monthly, and annual timescales. Results indicate that while ERA5 effectively captures general temperature patterns over Alexandria Harbor, it consistently underestimates surface temperatures. Statistical analyses, including correlation coefficients and error metrics, show a strong alignment with observed data but also reveal ERA5’s limitations in representing localized and extreme temperature events. Notably, ERA5 displays a stronger positive warming trend than the observational record, highlighting discrepancies in trend estimation. These findings emphasize the importance of site-specific calibration to enhance ERA5’s performance as a climate reference dataset for Alexandria Port. Improved reliability is particularly vital for stakeholders, policymakers, and local communities, who rely on accurate temperature data to develop targeted climate resilience strategies—including efforts to green port operations, protect critical infrastructure, preserve sensitive ecosystems, and strengthen community preparedness in the face of climate change. | ||||
| Keywords | ||||
| Alexandria Port; Air temperature; ERA5 Reanalysis dataset; Observed data; port; THI | ||||
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