Changes in the spatial–temporal characteristics of daily snowfall events over the Eurasian continent from 1980 to 2019. (20th August 2021)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Lin, Wenqing; Chen, Huopo
• Is Part Of: International journal of climatology. Volume 42:Number 3(2022)
• Page Start: 1841
• Page End: 1853
• Publication Date: 2021-08-20
• Subjects: snowfall -- spatial–temporal characteristics -- the Eurasian continent; Climatology -- Periodicals; Climat -- Périodiques; Climatologie -- Périodiques; 551.605
• DOI: 10.1002/joc.7339
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0899-8418

Abstract

Abstract: The observed spatial–temporal variations in daily snowfall over the Eurasian continent from 1980 to 2019 are explored in this study. The results show that the snowfall amount and its number of days are mainly centred in the high latitudes and high terrain regions of the Eurasian continent (such as North Asia), while they are relatively small in Southern Europe, Central Asia and East Asia. During the past decades, a decreasing trend can be observed for snowfall amounts and the numbers of days over most regions of Eurasia, while increases are clear in terms of the mean intensity. In response to climate warming in recent decades, the first date of snowfall occurrence postponed and the ending date advanced across the Eurasian continent. Furthermore, the change characteristics of the different grades of snowfall are also investigated across this region, including light snowfall, moderate snowfall, heavy snowfall and snowstorm. The light snowfall and number of days show a decreasing tendency, which mainly results in a decrease in the total snowfall amount and number of days. However, the amounts of heavy snowfall and snowstorms and their numbers of days are significantly increased, implying that the Eurasian continent has experienced increased severe snowfall events during recent decades. Abstract : The change characteristics of the different grades of snowfall, including light snowfall, moderate snowfall, heavy snowfall and snowstorm, shown in the image were investigated here. The light snowfall and number of days show a decreasing tendency, which was consistent with that in total snowfall and its days. However, the amounts of heavy snowfall and snowstorm and their numbers of days are significantly increased, implying that the Eurasian continent has experienced increased severe snowfall events during recent decades.