ИСТИНА

The project deals with incorporating the snow physics knowledge into climate modelling, and estimating the snow-related effect of climate change onto hydrothermal regime of central and eastern Europe. A data base of physical characteristics of the snow cover connected to its vertical structure will be created based on observed data from regular meteorological stations, regular snow surveys near the stations and specialized field campaigns. Spatial and temporal variability of the structural properties of the snow related to its evolution under certain meteorological conditions will be studied. As a generalization of the empirical information on snow structure, a geographical classification of the snow cover types will be developed. A detailed parameterization scheme including the snow structure and its physics will be developed and incorporated into climate models of different spatial scales. Series of experiments with local and global climate models will be carried out to study the snow cover properties for contemporary and future climate conditions. The hydrothermal impact of snow cover changes and probability of extreme hydrothermal events such as floods, permafrost seasonal thaw, avalanches, etc., will be evaluated. Economical effect (in transportation, tourism, etc.) of the future climate change in terms of snow-related processes will be estimated too.