Snow Cover and Temperature Relationships in North America and Eurasia

Abstract

In this study the snow cover extent during the autumn months in both North America and Eurasia has been related to the ensuing winter temperature as measured at several locations near the center of each continent. The relationship between autumn snow cover and the ensuing winter temperatures was found to be much better for Eurasia than for North America. For Eurasia the avenge snow cover extent during the autumn explained as much as 52% of the variance in the winter (December-February) temperatures compared to only 12% for North America. However, when the average winter snow cover was correlated with the average winter temperature it was found that the relationship was better for North America than for Eurasia. AS much as 46% of the variance in the winter temperature was explained by the winter snow cover in North America compared to only 12% in Eurasia.