Cold spell variability in Europe in relation to the degree of climate continentalism in 1981-2018 period
Jarzyna, Krzysztof ; Krzyzewska, Agnieszka
Seasonal and multiannual variability of the number, duration and severity of cold spells in Europe were analysed in this paper in cold seasons starting with 1981/1982 through 2017/2018. Data were used from seven weather stations characterised by different degrees of climate continentalism. Cold spells did not occur in the oceanic climate of southeastern England. In the Netherlands only a few cold spells were identified in the entire study period lasting 31 or 67?days in total, depending on the method used. The number, duration and severity of cold spells increased toward the east. In the continental climate of the European part of Russia, 163 or 74 cold spells were identified. Their total duration exceeded 1300?days. In Western Europe the potential period when cold spells occurred lasted about 50?days, from the middle of December to the beginning of February. In Eastern Europe the period when cold spells occurred lasted about 140?days, from the beginning of November to the second half of March. The longest and the most severe cold spells were concentrated in four periods: 1984/1985 to 1986/1987, 1993/1994 to 1996/1997, 2001/2002 to 2005/2006 and 2009/2010 to 2011/2012. Statistically significant trends in the number, duration and severity of cold spells were not evident for the locations analysed over the period from 1981 to present.</p>
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