Snow cover in eastern Europe in relation to temperature, precipitation and circulation

Bednorz, Ewa

doi:10.1002/joc.1014

Cited by 107 publications

(81 citation statements)

References 32 publications

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“…It is estimated that in mountain regions, an average increase in air temperatures of 1°C may be accompanied by an upward shift in the snow line of around 150 m (Haeberli and Beniston 1998). The results of snow cover studies confirm its high sensitivity to climate change and to individual climate components (Cayan 1996;Bednorz 2004;Stewart et al 2005) as well as to progressive warming (Karl et al 1993;Dettinger and Cayan 1995;Stewart et al 2004;Hidalgo et al 2009). …”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 53%

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Winter severity and snowiness and their multiannual variability in the Karkonosze Mountains and Jizera Mountains

Urban

Richterová

Kliegrová

et al. 2017

Theor Appl Climatol

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This paper analyses winter severity and snow conditions in the Karkonosze Mountains and Jizera Mountains and examines their long-term trends. The analysis used modified comprehensive winter snowiness (WSW) and winter severity (WOW) indices as defined by Paczos (1982). An attempt was also made to determine the relationship between the WSW and WOW indices. Measurement data were obtained from eight stations operated by the Institute of Meteorology and Water Management -National Research Institute (IMGW-PIB), from eight stations operated by the Czech Hydrological and Meteorological Institute (CHMI) and also from the Meteorological Observatory of the University of Wrocław (UWr) on Mount Szrenica. Essentially, the study covered the period from 1961 to 2015. In some cases, however, the period analysed was shorter due to the limited availability of data, which was conditioned, inter alia, by the period of operation of the station in question, and its type.Viewed on a macroscale, snow conditions in the Karkonosze Mountains and Jizera Mountains (in similar altitude zones) are clearly more favourable on southern slopes than on northern ones. In the study area, negative trends have been observed with respect to both the WSW and WOW indices-winters have become less snowy and warmer. The correlation between the WOW and WSW indices is positive. At stations with northern macroexposure, WOW and WSW show greater correlation than at ones with southern macroexposure. This relationship is the weakest for stations that are situated in the upper ranges (Mount Śnieżka and Mount Szrenica).

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Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 53%

“…The progressive warming results in shorter winters and earlier spring thaws (Bednorz 2004;Migała et al 2016). The phenomenon of snowy or severe winters is of interest to many people and institutions, e.g.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Winter severity and snowiness and their multiannual variability in the Karkonosze Mountains and Jizera Mountains

Urban

Richterová

Kliegrová

et al. 2017

Theor Appl Climatol

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“…Snow cover changes were found to be associated with atmospheric circulation variations in the work of Falarz (2004) and Bednorz (2004) for Poland and Eastern Europe, respectively. Negative correlation between snow cover duration and the NAO was found over Poland (Falarz, 2004), while a similar relationship between snow cover and the NAO was found to be statistically significant over Central Europe, with correlation values decreasing to the east (Bednorz, 2004).…”

Section: Previous Researchmentioning

confidence: 98%

European snow cover extent variability and associations with atmospheric forcings

Henderson

Leathers

2010

Intl Journal of Climatology

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Snow cover in Europe represents an important component of the region's climatic system. Variability in snow cover extent can have major implications on factors such as low-level atmospheric temperatures, soil temperatures, soil moisture, stream discharge, and energy allocation involved in the warming and melting of the snowpack. The majority of studies investigating Northern Hemisphere snow cover identify European snow cover extent as a portion of the Eurasian record, possibly masking complexities of this subset. This study explores the variability of European snow cover extent from 1967-2007, with the region in question including the area of Europe extending eastward to the Ural Mountains (60°E). Using the 89 × 89 gridded National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) Northern Hemisphere weekly satellite snow cover product, area estimates of seasonal snow cover were calculated, and their relationship to gridded temperature, precipitation, and sea-level pressure data analysed. The spatial variability of snow cover extent was also explored using geographical information systems (GIS). The combined results from both surface temperature and precipitation analyses point towards snow cover extent in Europe being primarily temperature dependent. Atmospheric variables associated with extremes in snow cover extent were investigated. Large (small) European snow extent is associated with negative (positive) 850 hPa zonal wind anomalies, negative (positive) European 1000-500 hPa thickness anomalies, and generally positive (negative) Northern European precipitation anomalies. Sea-level pressure and 500 hPa results indicate strong associations between large (small) snow cover seasons and the negative (positive) phase of the North Atlantic Oscillation.

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“…The inverse correlation between SCA and temperature is well established (Bednorz, 2004;Hosaka et al, 2005;Gurung et al, 2011b;Maskey et al, 2011;Barman and Bhattacharjya, 2015), whereas the spatial variability across elevations is not well understood. Table 3 shows the correlation ( ) between the daily average temperature and daily SCA of individual basins during the period between 2000 and 2007.…”

Section: Relationship Between Sca and Temperaturementioning

confidence: 99%

“…Span of data used was different: 1970-2010 for Gandaki basin, 1968for Koshi basin and 1987-2004 for Manas basin. None of the long term discharge trend was statistically significant thus was not conclusive.…”

Section: Discharge Trendmentioning

confidence: 99%

Climate and topographic controls on snow cover dynamics in the Hindu Kush Himalaya

Gurung

Maharjan

Shrestha³

et al. 2017

Intl Journal of Climatology

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Snow governs interaction between atmospheric and land surface processes in high mountains, and is also source of fresh water. It is thus important to both climate scientists and local communities. However, our understanding of snow cover dynamics in terms of space and time is limited across the Hindu Kush Himalaya (HKH) region, which is known to be a climatically sensitive region. We used MODIS snow cover area (SCA) data (2003)(2004)(2005)(2006)(2007)(2008)(2009)(2010)(2011)(2012), APHRODITE temperature data (2000)(2001)(2002)(2003)(2004)(2005)(2006)(2007), and monthly long term in-situ river discharge data of the Gandaki (1968Gandaki ( -2010, Koshi (1977Koshi ( -2010 and Manas (1987Manas ( -2004 basins to analyse variations among four basins. We gained insights into short term SCA and temperature, long term discharge trends, and regional variability thereby. Strong correlations were observed among SCA, temperature and discharge thereby highlighting the strong nexus between them. Temporal and spatial snow cover variability across the basins is strongly coupled with the variability of two weather systems: Western Disturbances (WD) and Indian Monsoon System (IMS), and strongly influenced by topography. Manifestation of these variability in terms if downstream discharge can have repercussion to water based sectors: hydropower and agriculture, as low flow seasons is seen affected. This study adds to our knowledge of snow fall and melt dynamics in the HKH region, and intra-annual snow melt contributions to downstream discharges. The study is limited by short span of data and it is desirable to perform a similar study using data representing a much longer time span.

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Snow cover in eastern Europe in relation to temperature, precipitation and circulation

Cited by 107 publications

References 32 publications

Winter severity and snowiness and their multiannual variability in the Karkonosze Mountains and Jizera Mountains

Winter severity and snowiness and their multiannual variability in the Karkonosze Mountains and Jizera Mountains

European snow cover extent variability and associations with atmospheric forcings

Climate and topographic controls on snow cover dynamics in the Hindu Kush Himalaya

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