European Snow Cover and Its Influence on Spring and Summer Temperatures

Abstract

European surface temperatures in late Spring and early Summer were examined in relation to European snow cover using satellite-derived monthly snow-cover data and station temperature anomalies. Maximum annual snow extent and March snow extent were correlated with temperature anomalies from April to July. Maximum annual snow-cover extent, which occurred in January or February, was significantly negatively correlated with temperature in the Spring and early Summer. Correlations were generally in the range -0.4 to -0.7. Three distinct regions emerged as being correlated with variation in maximum annual snow cover. These were Central Europe, Western Europe and Eastern Europe in April, May andJuly respectively. The correlation with March snow cover was significant over an extensive area in April but was no longer significant by June. Analysis of other possible causes of temperature anomaly in these areas in the months in question suggested that snow cover was probably significant in the Central European region in April. It is also possible that indirect snow-cover effects are significant inJuly.