Climate of the Alps

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Life zones of the Alps Altitudinal zones of Alps mountains-extended diagram.svg
Life zones of the Alps

The climate of the Alps is the climate, or average weather conditions over a long period of time, of the exact middle Alpine region of Europe. [1] [2] As air rises from sea level to the upper regions of the atmosphere the temperature decreases. The effect of mountain topography on prevailing winds is to force warm air from the lower region into an upper zone where it expands in volume at the cost of a proportionate loss of heat, often accompanied by the precipitation of moisture in the form of snow, rain or hail.

Climate as a function of elevation

Because air cools as it rises, the climate of the Alps is strongly dependent on the elevation. The Alps contain a number of different kinds of climate zones, by elevation. These zones can be described by the Köppen climate classification, and also correspond to the biotic zones of the Alps. [3]

Up to approximately 1,050 metres (3,440 ft) of elevation, the climate is classified as oceanic or Cfb under the Köppen system. [3] Like much of lowland northern Europe, the summers are mild and the winters are cool, but not cold. The climate is moderated by proximity to the Atlantic Ocean. The climate creates the colline biotic zone in the lowlands, which is characterized by the deciduous forest [3] of the Western European broadleaf forests ecoregion.

Climate data for Buchs/Aarau (1991–2020), at 387 metres (1,270 ft), 47°23′N8°05′E / 47.38°N 8.08°E / 47.38; 8.08 (Buchs, Aargau)
MonthJanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDecYear
Mean daily maximum °C (°F)3.9
(39.0)		5.9
(42.6)		11.1
(52.0)		15.6
(60.1)		19.6
(67.3)		23.5
(74.3)		25.6
(78.1)		25.0
(77.0)		20.2
(68.4)		14.5
(58.1)		8.0
(46.4)		4.3
(39.7)		14.8
(58.6)
Daily mean °C (°F)1.2
(34.2)		1.9
(35.4)		5.9
(42.6)		9.9
(49.8)		14.0
(57.2)		17.7
(63.9)		19.4
(66.9)		18.8
(65.8)		14.6
(58.3)		10.1
(50.2)		5.0
(41.0)		1.9
(35.4)		10.0
(50.0)
Mean daily minimum °C (°F)−1.5
(29.3)		−1.7
(28.9)		1.2
(34.2)		4.3
(39.7)		8.5
(47.3)		12.1
(53.8)		13.6
(56.5)		13.5
(56.3)		9.8
(49.6)		6.5
(43.7)		2.3
(36.1)		−0.5
(31.1)		5.7
(42.3)
Average precipitation mm (inches)63
(2.5)		53
(2.1)		61
(2.4)		63
(2.5)		98
(3.9)		92
(3.6)		98
(3.9)		98
(3.9)		70
(2.8)		72
(2.8)		69
(2.7)		81
(3.2)		920
(36.2)
Average snowfall cm (inches)8
(3.1)		9
(3.5)		3
(1.2)		0.
(0)		0
(0)		0
(0)		0
(0)		0
(0)		0
(0)		0
(0)		2
(0.8)		10
(3.9)		32
(13)
Average precipitation days (≥ 1.0 mm)9.68.69.510.211.611.310.911.28.510.19.811.6122.9
Average snowy days (≥ 1.0 cm)2.82.51.10.1000000.10.72.49.7
Source: MeteoSwiss [4]

Between approximately 1,050 to 1,390 metres (3,440 to 4,560 ft), the climate changes to either a humid continental climate (Dfb under the Köppen system), or a Cfc oceanic climate, depending on location. [3] As elevation increases, the winters become colder and the summers become shorter. A mixture of conifer and deciduous trees occupy this montane zone, [3] leading to a change in ecoregion to Alps conifer and mixed forests.

Climate data for Scuol (1991–2020), 1,304 metres (4,278 ft), 46°47′N10°17′E / 46.79°N 10.28°E / 46.79; 10.28
MonthJanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDecYear
Mean daily maximum °C (°F)0.0
(32.0)		2.9
(37.2)		8.7
(47.7)		13.0
(55.4)		17.1
(62.8)		21.1
(70.0)		23.1
(73.6)		22.6
(72.7)		18.1
(64.6)		13.2
(55.8)		5.8
(42.4)		0.3
(32.5)		12.2
(54.0)
Daily mean °C (°F)−4.3
(24.3)		−2.7
(27.1)		1.8
(35.2)		6.0
(42.8)		10.3
(50.5)		13.8
(56.8)		15.5
(59.9)		15.0
(59.0)		11.0
(51.8)		6.5
(43.7)		0.9
(33.6)		−3.3
(26.1)		5.9
(42.6)
Mean daily minimum °C (°F)−8
(18)		−7.3
(18.9)		−3.5
(25.7)		0.1
(32.2)		4.3
(39.7)		7.6
(45.7)		9.3
(48.7)		9.3
(48.7)		5.6
(42.1)		1.8
(35.2)		−2.8
(27.0)		−6.7
(19.9)		0.8
(33.4)
Average precipitation mm (inches)38
(1.5)		27
(1.1)		34
(1.3)		35
(1.4)		53
(2.1)		80
(3.1)		88
(3.5)		109
(4.3)		65
(2.6)		69
(2.7)		63
(2.5)		47
(1.9)		708
(27.9)
Average snowfall cm (inches)51
(20)		39
(15)		20
(7.9)		7
(2.8)		1
(0.4)		0
(0)		0
(0)		0
(0)		0
(0)		6
(2.4)		24
(9.4)		49
(19)		197
(78)
Average precipitation days (≥ 1.0 mm)5.94.95.26.09.110.611.011.88.08.07.26.894.5
Average snowy days (≥ 1.0 cm)7.86.34.01.80.200000.64.37.432.4
Source: MeteoSwiss [5]

Between approximately 1,390 to 1,880 metres (4,560 to 6,170 ft), the climate becomes subarctic (Dfc under the Köppen system), with even shorter summers. [3] The shorter growing season shifts the forest to be purely coniferous.

Climate data for Samedan (1991–2020), 1,709 metres (5,607 ft), 46°32′N9°53′E / 46.53°N 9.88°E / 46.53; 9.88
MonthJanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDecYear
Mean daily maximum °C (°F)−1.3
(29.7)		0.5
(32.9)		4.0
(39.2)		7.9
(46.2)		12.9
(55.2)		17.0
(62.6)		19.3
(66.7)		18.8
(65.8)		14.6
(58.3)		10.5
(50.9)		4.1
(39.4)		−0.7
(30.7)		9.0
(48.2)
Daily mean °C (°F)−8.4
(16.9)		−7.1
(19.2)		−2.4
(27.7)		1.9
(35.4)		6.7
(44.1)		10.5
(50.9)		12.3
(54.1)		11.8
(53.2)		7.9
(46.2)		3.6
(38.5)		−2.1
(28.2)		−7
(19)		2.3
(36.1)
Mean daily minimum °C (°F)−15.8
(3.6)		−15.6
(3.9)		−9.6
(14.7)		−4.3
(24.3)		0.1
(32.2)		3.2
(37.8)		4.7
(40.5)		4.7
(40.5)		1.3
(34.3)		−2.6
(27.3)		−7.8
(18.0)		−13.4
(7.9)		−4.6
(23.7)
Average precipitation mm (inches)29
(1.1)		19
(0.7)		24
(0.9)		37
(1.5)		67
(2.6)		91
(3.6)		87
(3.4)		100
(3.9)		73
(2.9)		77
(3.0)		70
(2.8)		37
(1.5)		710
(28.0)
Average snowfall cm (inches)51
(20)		42
(17)		30
(12)		21
(8.3)		4
(1.6)		0
(0)		0
(0)		0
(0)		2
(0.8)		12
(4.7)		40
(16)		52
(20)		254
(100)
Average precipitation days (≥ 1.0 mm)5.24.24.36.09.211.010.611.08.08.17.96.191.6
Average snowy days (≥ 1.0 cm)8.88.06.95.11.10.20.10.00.52.66.79.549.5
Source: MeteoSwiss [6]

At about 1,880 metres (6,170 ft), the climate becomes too cold to support trees, and is classified as an alpine climate (ET under the Köppen system). [3] The summers become cool and only grasses and low plants are adapted to grow. This alpine climate extends to approximately 3,250 metres (10,660 ft).

Climate data for Weissfluhjoch (1991–2020), 2,690 metres (8,830 ft), 46°50′N9°49′E / 46.83°N 9.81°E / 46.83; 9.81 (Weissfluhjoch)
MonthJanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDecYear
Mean daily maximum °C (°F)−5.3
(22.5)		−5.9
(21.4)		−4.1
(24.6)		−1.5
(29.3)		2.7
(36.9)		7.3
(45.1)		10.2
(50.4)		10.6
(51.1)		6.5
(43.7)		3.4
(38.1)		−1.7
(28.9)		−4.3
(24.3)		1.5
(34.7)
Daily mean °C (°F)−7.8
(18.0)		−8.5
(16.7)		−6.6
(20.1)		−4
(25)		0.1
(32.2)		3.9
(39.0)		6.2
(43.2)		6.6
(43.9)		3.0
(37.4)		0.3
(32.5)		−4.2
(24.4)		−6.9
(19.6)		−1.5
(29.3)
Mean daily minimum °C (°F)−10.4
(13.3)		−11.2
(11.8)		−9.3
(15.3)		−6.5
(20.3)		−2.3
(27.9)		1.3
(34.3)		3.2
(37.8)		3.7
(38.7)		0.5
(32.9)		−2.2
(28.0)		−6.7
(19.9)		−9.6
(14.7)		−4.1
(24.6)
Average precipitation mm (inches)108
(4.3)		80
(3.1)		96
(3.8)		79
(3.1)		116
(4.6)		166
(6.5)		181
(7.1)		198
(7.8)		123
(4.8)		97
(3.8)		92
(3.6)		103
(4.1)		1,439
(56.7)
Average snowfall cm (inches)131
(52)		117
(46)		123
(48)		91
(36)		63
(25)		36
(14)		14
(5.5)		12
(4.7)		35
(14)		63
(25)		118
(46)		136
(54)		939
(370)
Average precipitation days (≥ 1.0 mm)10.59.612.011.614.215.415.215.012.110.010.911.0147.5
Average snowy days (≥ 1.0 cm)12.911.814.312.710.5.52.52.05.88.112.914.3113
Source: MeteoSwiss [7]

Above approximately 3,250 metres (10,660 ft), the climate transitions to an ice cap climate, where the mean temperature is always below 0 °C (32 °F). At these altitudes, no plants can grow and the ground is either rock or ice. [3]

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References

  1. ↑ Agrawala, Shardul. (2007). Climate change in the European alps : adapting winter tourism and natural hazards management. OECD, Organisation for economic co-operation and development. ISBN   978-9264031685. OCLC   729351518.
  2. ↑ Elsasser, H; Bürki, R (2002). "Climate change as a threat to tourism in the Alps". Climate Research. 20 (3): 253–257. doi: 10.3354/cr020253 . ISSN   0936-577X.
  3. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 Rubel, Franz; Brugger, Katharina; Haslinger, Klaus; Auer, Ingeborg (January 24, 2017). "The climate of the European Alps: Shift of very high resolution Köppen-Geiger climate zones 1800–2100". Meteorologische Zeitschrift. 26 (2): 115–125.
  4. ↑ "Climate normals Buchs / Aarau" (PDF). Climate diagrams and normals from Swiss measuring stations. Federal Office of Meteorology and Climatology (MeteoSwiss). Archived from the original (PDF) on 7 July 2022. Retrieved 11 September 2022.
  5. ↑ "Climate normals Scoul" (PDF). Climate diagrams and normals from Swiss measuring stations. Federal Office of Meteorology and Climatology (MeteoSwiss). Archived from the original (PDF) on 15 January 2022. Retrieved 11 September 2022. The weather station elevation is 1303 meters above sea level.
  6. ↑ "Climate normals Samedan" (PDF). Climate diagrams and normals from Swiss measuring stations. Federal Office of Meteorology and Climatology (MeteoSwiss). Retrieved 11 September 2022. The weather station elevation is 1708 meters above sea level.
  7. ↑ "Climate normals Weissfluhjoch" (PDF). Climate diagrams and normals from Swiss measuring stations. Federal Office of Meteorology and Climatology (MeteoSwiss). Retrieved 11 September 2022. The weather station elevation is 2690 meters above sea level.
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