Long-term dynamics of snowmelt timing in Siberia under Arctic amplification

Snow cover is one of the most sensitive indicators of climate change. Under warming conditions in the Arctic, the duration of snow cover is decreasing, mainly due to its earlier melting. The timing of snow cover melting, in turn, has a significant impact on vegetation ecosystems. The paper presents preliminary results of a study of the long-term (1982-2022) dynamics of snowmelt timing in Siberia using ERA5-Land and MODIS radiometer data. In general, there is the earlier snowmelt timing in Siberia under Arctic amplification. Snowmelt timing have advanced by 11±3 days on average across Siberia against the background of a similar increase of spring temperatures by 3.3±0.8℃. At the same time, in the north of Siberia were found the earlier snowmelt timing on 15±5 days. This shift of snowmelt timing was closely linked to increased spring temperatures by 5.1±1.2℃ in this region.

Keywords: snow cover, snowmelt, Arctic amplification, Siberia