MODERN CHARACTERISTICS OF AIR TEMPERATURE REGIME ON THE NORTHEASTERN SLOPE OF THE GREATER CAUCASUS

Abstract

The studied object is the northeastern slope of the Greater Caucasus, which is also the northwestern part of the Caspian region. The study examines the impact of climate change on the long-term thermal regime of the Caspian part of the Greater Caucasus. The analyses used observational data from eight hydrometeorological stations for the period 1961...2022. A comparative analysis of air temperature changes in the region for 1991...2022 with the baseline period (1961...1990) was carried out. As is known, the contemporary characteristics of the thermal regime are considered here: it has been established that the lowest temperature occurs in January, while the highest occurs in July. During the winter period, the mean monthly temperature from the lower part of the middle mountain belt (1000...1200 m) up to the high mountains has negative values below 0 °C. Decadal changes in air temperature for the period 1961...2022 were examined. It was established that since 1990 a sharp increase in temperature has been observed in the region. Compared to the baseline period, the mean annual temperature increased by 0.9°C in 1991...2022. In the lowland areas, the mean annual temperature is 12-14°C; in the low-mountain areas, 10-12°C; in the middle-mountain areas, 5...10 °C; and in the high-mountain areas, below 4°C. In December (0.4°C), with the onset of winter, the temperature decreases, and from the lower parts of the middle mountains to the high mountains, the mean monthly temperature drops below 0°C. During the year, the maximum temperature increase (1.5°C) is observed in August and October.

The results of the study can be used in the construction of new infrastructure, as well as in the development of industry and agriculture. Determining the consequences of climate change will allow expanding measures to mitigate the impacts in the region.