Changes in snow accumulation and snow depth in Slovakia in the 1921 – 2021 period

Abstract

Warming surface temperatures have driven a substantial reduction in the extent and duration of Northern Hemisphere snow cover. Analysis of the long-term snow cover data can provide an exact picture on the climate change induces changes. Slovak Hydrometeorological Institute maintains a network of 113 precipitation measuring stations with daily observations of the snow cover depth since 1921. This paper presents analysis of the cumulative snow cover depth in the territory of Slovakia in the period 1921 - 2021. Such an approach to processing can effectively point to changes in the seasonal development of the snow cover. The results show that, in general, we observe a decrease in the snow cover, which began to become more pronounced especially in the course of the 21st century. The magnitude and speed of the detected change is significantly influenced not only by the altitude of the precipitation gauge, but also by its geographical location.