Geography and Human Relationships

Geography and Human Relationships

Analysis of the Relationship between Snow-Covered Days and Topographic Elevation in Northwestern Iran

Document Type : Original Article

Authors
Abbas Kashani 1
Bromand Salahi 2
Amirhossein Halabian 3
Batoul Zeinali 4
1 Ph. D Student of Climatology, Department of Physical Geography, Faculty of Social Sciences, University of Mohaghegh Ardabili
2 استاد آب و هواشناسی، دانشکده علوم اجتماعی، دانشگاه محقق اردبیلی
3 Department of Geography, Payame Noor University, Tehran, Iran
4 Professor of Climatology, Department of Physical Geography, Faculty of Social Sciences, University of Mohaghegh Ardabili, Ardabil, Iran
10.22034/gahr.2024.435665.2035
Abstract
In this study, we analyzed the seasonal changes in the number of snow-covered days (SCDs) in North-West Iran by collecting MODIS Terra and Aqua snow sensor data from 2003 to 2020. The cloudiness effect was reduced using three algorithms: data combination, spatial filtering, and temporal filtering. The digital surface model (DSM) from the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency was used for the digital elevation model. Then, in addition to creating seasonal spatial maps of SCDs, the relationship between snow cover areas (SCAs) and SCDs, as well as between SCDs and elevation, was investigated. The findings revealed that as snowfall began in autumn, the number of SCDs increased. This trend continued to rise until winter, especially in regions with relatively high and very high elevations. The area under study experiences a decrease in SCDs from winter to summer. The maximum number of snow-covered days in the winter season is 68 days, and 61 days in the fall are reserved for the heights of Sablan and its high peaks. Sablan Mountain experiences snow even in the summer due to its unique conditions. The analysis of the relationship between SCAs and SCDs revealed that the areas with the highest SC in winter, spring, summer, and autumn seasons experienced SCDs of approximately 15, 8, less than 5, and 7 days, respectively. The seasonal minimum of SCDs occurs in low-altitude areas and flat plains, while the maximum occurs in high areas, especially at the peaks of mountains. At the same time, SCDs in the southern parts of the study area are lower than those in the northern parts. This issue explores the relationship between SCDs and the factors of altitude and latitude. This issue explores the relationship between SCDs and the factors of altitude and latitude.
Keywords
Snow-covered day
Altitude
MODIS sensor
Northwest of Iran

Subjects

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  • Receive Date 14 January 2024
  • Revise Date 02 March 2024
  • Accept Date 18 June 2024