World Academy of Science, Engineering and Technology
Published November 4, 2014 | Version 9999949
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Interannual Variations in Snowfall and Continuous Snow Cover Duration in Pelso, Central Finland, Linked to Teleconnection Patterns, 1944-2010

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Climate warming would increase rainfall by shifting
precipitation falling form from snow to rain, and would accelerate
snow cover disappearing by increasing snowpack. Using temperature
and precipitation data in the temperature-index snowmelt model, we
evaluated variability of snowfall and continuous snow cover duration
(CSCD) during 1944-2010 over Pelso, central Finland. Mann-
Kendall non-parametric test determined that annual precipitation
increased by 2.69 (mm/year, p<0.05) during the study period, but no
clear trend in annual temperature. Both annual rainfall and snowfall
increased by 1.67 and 0.78 (mm/year, p<0.05), respectively. CSCD
was generally about 205 days from 14 October to 6 May. No clear
trend was found in CSCD over Pelso. Spearman’s rank correlation
showed most significant relationships of annual snowfall with the
East Atlantic (EA) pattern, and CSCD with the East Atlantic/West
Russia (EA/WR) pattern. Increased precipitation with no warming
temperature caused the rainfall and snowfall to increase, while no
effects on CSCD.

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References

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