Changes in the Snow Cover Extent in Eurasia from Satellite Data in Relation to Hemispheric and Regional Temperature Changes
И. И. Мохов, М. Р. Парфенова
Abstract
Abstract Quantitative estimates of the relationship between intra-annual and interannual changes in the snow cover extent in Eurasia and surface air temperature variations in the Northern Hemisphere have been obtained based on satellite and reanalysis data for the period of 1979–2020. The estimated snow cover extent sensitivity to the temperature changes in Eurasia for the last four decades (1980–2019) has been compared with that obtained for the last fifteen years (2005–2019). Seasonal features of the snow cover extent–temperature relationship have been noted, particularly during the formation of snow cover in autumn. Correlation and cross-wavelet analyses have made it possible to reveal a general considerable coherence and a negative correlation of snow cover extent and surface air temperature in Eurasia, not only in the annual cycle, but also in the interannual variability for most months. According to the average annual data for the period 2005–2019, an increase in the absolute value of the sensitivity parameter of the snow cover extent to the surface air temperature changes is noted in Eurasia, with a generally statistical insignificant negative correlation for the last four decades.