SAEON/nex-gddp-sa-tools

Helper scripts for exploring, downloading, and analysing NASA NEX-GDDP-CMIP6 data for South Africa (SAWS + SAEON). > **⚠ Work in Progress** > > This repository is under active development. > Some scripts and features are complete, while others are still being tested or refined. > Please check the documentation for which components are ready for use, and expect that functionality or structure may change. # nex-gddp-sa-tools Helper scripts for exploring, downloading, and analysing **NASA NEX-GDDP-CMIP6** downscaled climate projections for the South African domain (SAWS + SAEON). --- ## Project Purpose This repository provides tools for **downloading, processing, and visualising** downscaled CMIP6 climate projections for South Africa. It is designed to streamline workflows for scientists, analysts, and policy teams working with NEX-GDDP-CMIP6 data, making it easier to move from raw datasets to **interpretable climate insights**. --- ## Why This Matters Interpreting climate data can be challenging — particularly for **anomaly maps**, where colours can mean opposite things depending on the variable. We have found that **colour interpretation mattered more for understanding** than highly technical details. To make outputs more consistent and accessible, we’ve included a **Colour Reference & Interpretation Guide** alongside index definitions. --- ## Climate Indices – Reference & Plotting Guide This project computes a range of rainfall and temperature indices from NASA NEX-GDDP-CMIP6 downscaled climate data for South Africa. For each index, you can plot: - **Absolute values** (climatology) - **Anomalies** (change relative to a baseline period) --- ### Colour Reference & Interpretation Guide We’ve observed that: - The same colour can imply opposite impacts depending on the metric (e.g., more rainfall vs. more extreme heat). - Non-technical users interpret maps faster when **colour meaning is explained alongside the data**. - A simple, consistent mapping of positive/negative anomalies to colours greatly reduces confusion. The tables below provide: 1. **Indices used in this …