Publications

Ghasemifar, E; Mohammadi, C; Farajzadeh, M (2019). Spatiotemporal analysis of snow cover in Iran based on topographic characteristics. THEORETICAL AND APPLIED CLIMATOLOGY, 137(4-Mar), 1855-1867.

Abstract
This study investigates the distribution of snow cover in Iran using the 8-day moderate-resolution imaging spectroradiometer (MODIS) snow product (MOD10A2) during 2001-2015. The year 2008 was found to have the most extensive snow cover and was used to determine the snow-covered areas into five regions based on topographic characteristics (elevation, slope, and aspect). Our results show that the mean snow cover extent (SCE) on the slopes higher than 20 degrees is greater (62.94% on average) than on the slopes lower than 20 degrees (55.28% on average). The highest and lowest SCEs are related to the north-facing aspect and flat-surface regions, respectively. In addition, a direct relationship between SCE and elevation was revealed, with snow cover reaching 100% in the highlands (above 3000m). The highest values of the mean (171,905.1km(2) in slope1 from region 3), standard deviation (SD) (70,856.53km(2) in slope 1 from region 3), and coefficient of variation (CV) (214.65% in region 1) of SCE were obtained from 17 to 24 January, 9 to 16 January, and 10 to 17 February, respectively. The SD peaked in the early 8days and then decreased in the middle and ending 8days. The highest CV was obtained in the Caspian coastal region and decreased with increasing elevation.

DOI:
10.1007/s00704-018-2690-3

ISSN:
0177-798X