GC23B-0625:
Climate Change Effect and Natural Variability of Spring Precipitation, Snowfall, Snowmelt and Peak Runoff Timings over the Alps
Tuesday, 16 December 2014
Matteo Zampieri, Organization Not Listed, Washington, DC, United States, Enrico Scoccimarro, INGV National Institute of Geophysics and Volcanology, Forli, Italy and Silvio Gualdi, INGV National Institute of Geophysics and Volcanology, Rome, Italy
Abstract:
Understanding of climatic and hydrological variability over the Alps is important both for natural ecosystems and society. In fact, about 40% of European freshwater is originated there. In this study, we characterize several features of the spring water cycle over the Alps. In particular, we discuss the observed decadal variability and the long-term trend of total precipitation, snowfall, and of the timing of maximum river discharge in the last 150 years. Finally, we provide an interpretation in terms of weather patterns frequency distribution that explains these aspects of the Alpine climate variability.
