Changes in snowfall/precipitation-day ratio in Slovakia and their linkages with air temperature and precipitation

Abstract

Knowledge on snowfall and precipitation variability is one of the most important
information about climate changes. The presented study is based on daily data
for precipitation totals and new snow cover depths and monthly air temperature from 29
meteorological stations in Slovakia. The aim is to determine to what extent the change
of monthly air temperature mean affects the snowfall in the mountainous area of Slovakia.
In order to achieve the aim of the research work, the snow days and precipitation
days (SD/PD) ratio is calculated for the months from October to April and the trend is
investigated. On the basis of correlation analysis it is determined that the main factor
for changes in the SD/PD ratio is the mean monthly air temperature while precipitation
plays an important role only for the stations with the altitude above 1300 m. Spatial
distribution of the changes in the SD/PD ratio for the winter time (December – January
– February) during the period 1981–2011 was investigated by cluster analyses. The results
show that the stations are grouped according to their geographical location and relief of
the territory.