Observed snow depth trends in the European Alps: 1971 to 2019
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Published:2021-03-18
Issue:3
Volume:15
Page:1343-1382
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ISSN:1994-0424
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Container-title:The Cryosphere
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language:en
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Short-container-title:The Cryosphere
Author:
Matiu MichaelORCID, Crespi AliceORCID, Bertoldi GiacomoORCID, Carmagnola Carlo Maria, Marty ChristophORCID, Morin SamuelORCID, Schöner Wolfgang, Cat Berro Daniele, Chiogna GabrieleORCID, De Gregorio LudovicaORCID, Kotlarski Sven, Majone BrunoORCID, Resch Gernot, Terzago Silvia, Valt MauroORCID, Beozzo Walter, Cianfarra PaolaORCID, Gouttevin IsabelleORCID, Marcolini Giorgia, Notarnicola ClaudiaORCID, Petitta MarcelloORCID, Scherrer Simon C.ORCID, Strasser UlrichORCID, Winkler MichaelORCID, Zebisch MarcORCID, Cicogna Andrea, Cremonini Roberto, Debernardi Andrea, Faletto Mattia, Gaddo Mauro, Giovannini LorenzoORCID, Mercalli Luca, Soubeyroux Jean-Michel, Sušnik Andrea, Trenti Alberto, Urbani Stefano, Weilguni Viktor
Abstract
Abstract. The European Alps stretch over a range of climate zones which affect the spatial distribution of snow. Previous analyses of station observations of
snow were confined to regional analyses. Here, we present an Alpine-wide analysis of snow depth from six Alpine countries – Austria, France, Germany,
Italy, Slovenia, and Switzerland – including altogether more than 2000 stations of which more than 800 were used for the trend assessment. Using a
principal component analysis and k-means clustering, we identified five main modes of variability and five regions which match the climatic
forcing zones: north and high Alpine, north-east, north-west, south-east, and south and high Alpine. Linear trends of monthly mean snow depth between
1971 and 2019 showed decreases in snow depth for most stations from November to May. The average trend among all stations for seasonal (November to
May) mean snow depth was −8.4 % per decade, for seasonal maximum snow depth −5.6 % per decade, and for seasonal snow
cover duration −5.6 % per decade. Stronger and more significant trends were observed for periods and elevations where the transition
from snow to snow-free occurs, which is consistent with an enhanced albedo feedback. Additionally, regional trends differed substantially at the same
elevation, which challenges the notion of generalizing results from one region to another or to the whole Alps. This study presents an analysis of
station snow depth series with the most comprehensive spatial coverage in the European Alps to date.
Funder
Horizon 2020 Framework Programme Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft
Publisher
Copernicus GmbH
Subject
Earth-Surface Processes,Water Science and Technology
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