Hydrometeorological changes in the North-East of Russia

Abstract

The paper presents a comprehensive analysis of hydrometeorological changes at the river basins of the North-East of Russia for the period 1966-2015. Data from 61 meteorological stations showed an increase in the air temperature by an average of 2.3 °C and multidirectional changes in annual precipitation. Most stations are characterized by a significant negative trend of precipitation in winter and a positive annual trend of mixed and liquid precipitation with an increase in their share in autumn months. The presence of statistically significant positive streamflow trends in the autumn-winter period was established for 51 hydrological gauges. We hypothesize that the increase in the low flow is mainly due to the transition of precipitation type from solid to liquid and corresponding increase of runoff in September, continuing in the following months.