Climatic conditions of the Caucasus. Climate - Caucasus Mountains Ski holidays in the Caucasus

The climate of the Caucasus is influenced by many factors. The most important of them are latitudinal zonality and vertical zonation. However, the actions of these main factors are largely adjusted by the peculiarities of the geographical location and relief.

In addition, the climate of different parts of the Caucasus is greatly influenced by the proximity of the Black and Azov Seas in the west and the Caspian Sea in the east. All these factors have created a variety of climatic and forest conditions in the Caucasus.

High mountain ranges in the Caucasus influence the progression and distribution of pressure phenomena. Thus, the main Caucasian ridge protects the territory of Transcaucasia from the invasion of cold air masses approaching from the north. These air masses flow around the ridge and enter Transcaucasia from the west and east, moistening due to contact with the Black and Caspian Seas and somewhat warming up under the influence of the warm land surface.

Mountains cutting the territory of Transcaucasia in different directions and solar radiation continue to modify the climate of the Caucasus, affecting the direction and speed of movement of air masses, their rise, etc.

All this creates the complexity and diversity of climate elements - air and soil temperature, amount, intensity and distribution of precipitation, relative air humidity, wind direction and speed, etc.

The intensity of solar radiation increases with increasing altitude. However, the main role belongs not to the sum of heat and solar radiation, but to the temperature of the air and soil. Due to the intensity of solar radiation in the mountains, large fluctuations in air temperatures are observed during the day.

The soil warms up greatly on sunny days, especially on southern-facing slopes. As a result, the soil temperature changes less with increasing altitude than the air temperature, and the difference between the air and soil temperatures becomes very insignificant. At night, the surface layer of soil on the slopes cools noticeably, but in deeper layers its temperature exceeds the air temperature.

According to the degree of moisture in the Caucasus, the following are distinguished: humid subtropical regions of the Black Sea coast of the Krasnodar Territory, Western Georgia and South-Eastern Azerbaijan; humid regions of the Northern and Western Caucasus; dry areas of Eastern Georgia, Western Azerbaijan, Armenia, Dagestan.

The climate of the Caucasus can be traced with each rise in altitude; according to scientists, for every 100 meters of rise the amount of precipitation increases by 20%, in Crimea by 14-15%.

The amount of precipitation and rainy days is greatly influenced by local geographical factors. Thus, under the influence of the Black Sea in the adjacent regions of Western Georgia and the Krasnodar Territory, the average annual precipitation exceeds 1000 mm, reaching 3000 mm in the coastal strip of Adjara. In dry mountainous areas, the average annual precipitation is 300-350 mm, decreasing in some years to 100 mm.

The climate of the Caucasus is very diverse, which is explained primarily by the influence of relief.

The Caucasus is located on the border of temperate and subtropical climate zones. The differences between them are amplified by the Greater Caucasus Mountains, which impede the transfer of cold air masses from the north to Transcaucasia and warm air masses from the south to Ciscaucasia. The North Caucasus belongs to the temperate zone, Transcaucasia - to the subtropical zone. The differences between them are especially noticeable in air temperature.There is a lot of heat everywhere in the North Caucasus, with the exception of the highlands. On the plains, average July temperatures everywhere exceed 20°, and summer lasts from 4.5 to 5.5 months. Average January temperatures range from -10° to +6° in different areas, and winter lasts only two to three months. The rest of the year is occupied by transitional seasons - spring and autumn.

In the Greater Caucasus, starting from an altitude of approximately 2000 m, and in the Transcaucasian Plateau somewhat higher, the role of western air transport plays a role, and therefore the influence of the Atlantic and the Mediterranean Sea increases. Therefore, in the highlands the climate is more humid.

The complex mountainous terrain creates a wide variety of local climates in the Caucasus, and the previously outlined large geomorphiclogical units differ in climate.

The diversity of the climate of the Caucasus determines the differences in the agricultural use of its territory. The economic importance of the Transcaucasian subtropical regions protected by the mountain barrier of the Greater Caucasus is especially great, where a whole range of varieties of subtropical climate is observed, ranging from humid, allowing for the cultivation of tea and citrus fruits, and ending with dry, suitable for growing cotton and other crops that require an abundance of sunlight.

The Caucasus cannot be classified as one climatic region. To the north of the axial belt of the Greater Caucasus there is a temperate climate, in Transcaucasia it is subtropical. Within them there are differences due to the nature of the relief, position in relation to air currents, position in relation to the Black and Caspian Seas, and local circulation.

The climate of the Caucasus changes in three directions:

from west to east - towards increasing continentality,

from north to south - towards increasing amounts of radiative heat

in the altitudinal direction - an increase in precipitation and a decrease in temperatures.

Cloudiness plays a special role - with its rise in the mountains and in the western regions of the Caucasus, due to its increase, the annual values ​​of solar radiation are less than average.

In the summer months, the radiation balance in the Caucasus is close to tropical, local EMs transform into tropical ones.

Circulation: continental air of temperate latitudes dominates in the North Caucasus, subtropical air dominates in Transcaucasia. High mountain zones under the influence of western directions.

During the winter months the territory is located south of the “major axis”; Low pressure areas are forming over the Black Sea and the south of the Caspian Sea. The result is the outflow of dense cold masses of the “major axis” to the Caucasus. However, the mountain wall prevents penetration to the south; it is still possible to bypass the coasts of the seas - “Nords” and “Bora”. In the west, a lot of snow falls in the mountains. To the east, the influence of the southwestern transport weakens and the influence of the Asian anticyclone intensifies, and snowfall decreases. A local anticyclone forms over the Armenian Highlands in winter.

In summer time An area of ​​low pressure is formed over Asia. Western currents of sea air from temperate latitudes from the North Atlantic are intensifying, and they are capturing the Caucasus. They deposit precipitation on windward slopes. In the second half, the Azores high moves north and often covers the Caucasus.

The role of hair dryers, mountain-valley winds and breezes, and the formation of a center of low pressure over the Armenian Highlands are noticeable. Sea basins moderate the temperature.

In general, southern slopes are characterized by higher (summer and winter) temperatures. The annual amount of precipitation increases with elevation in the mountains and decreases at all levels from west to east.

The Caucasus is located on the border of the temperate and subtropical zones. The influx of solar radiation is so significant that a local center for the formation of tropical air masses is created in Transcaucasia in the summer. The border of the temperate and subtropical zones runs along the axial part of the Greater Caucasus. Radiation balance 2300 MJ/m2/year (west) - 1800 (east) MJ/m2/year.

In winter, continental air of temperate latitudes (kWUS) from the Voeikov axis spreads to the Ciscaucasia. The prevailing winds are easterly and northeasterly directions. Cold air entering the Ciscaucasia lingers on the northern slopes of the Greater Caucasus, not rising above 700-800 m. And only in the northwestern part of the Black Sea chain, where the height of the ridges is less than 1000 m, does the cold air cross them. Low pressure is established over the Black Sea in winter, so cold, heavy air rushes towards it at high speed, literally falling from the mountains. Strong cold winds arise, the so-called Novorossiysk bora. The air temperature during boron drops to -15...-20°C. Bora is observed in the Anapa-Tuapse section.

The upper parts of the mountains are in the zone of action of a free atmosphere, where the predominant role belongs to the winds of the western directions. In winter, western transport prevails at an altitude of more than 1.5-2 km, and in summer - 3.5-4 km.

The formation of climatic conditions during the cold period is greatly influenced by cyclonic activity developing on the Mediterranean branch of the polar front. The trajectories of Mediterranean cyclones are directed to the northeast of the Black Sea and cross the Caucasus in its western part. Their movement through the Caucasus leads to the advection of tropical air, which causes intense thaws, melting of snow cover, the occurrence of snow avalanches in the mountains and the formation of hair dryers on the northern slopes of the Greater Caucasus. With the development of hair dryers, the air temperature can rise to +15...+20°C. As the height of the mountains increases, the absolute maximum temperature in winter decreases and at Elbrus station it becomes negative (-2...-3°C).

Frequent advection of heat and the influence of the sea determine the positive average monthly air temperature on the Black Sea coast of the Caucasus. The average January temperature in Novorossiysk is +2°C, in Sochi +6.1°C. In the Ciscaucasia, the average air temperature is -1...-2°C in the western regions, dropping to -4...-4.5°C in the center and rising again towards the Caspian Sea to -2...0°C. In the mountains, the temperature decreases with height, reaching -12... -14°C in the highlands, in the area of ​​eternal snow and glaciers.

When cold air masses break through from the north, the temperature in the Ciscaucasia can drop to -30...-36°C. Even in Anapa the absolute minimum is -26°C, and in Sochi - -15°C.

The intensification of cyclonic activity in the cold season determines the winter maximum precipitation on the Black Sea coast of the Caucasus. In the rest of the territory, maximum precipitation occurs in summer.

In winter, snow cover is established on the plains and mountains of the Caucasus. It first appears on plains with relatively warm winters only in the second half of December. In some winters, stable snow cover does not form. Snow often falls during cold spells and melts away during thaws. The thickness of the snow cover on the plains is 10-15 cm. On the southwestern slopes of the Greater Caucasus Mountains (Achishkho), due to the abundance of winter precipitation and a decrease in the frequency of winter thaws, the snow thickness reaches 3-4 m. In the mountains of the eastern part of the Caucasus it is reduced to 1 m (Myachkova N.A., 1983). The number of days with snow cover on the Stavropol Upland is 70-80, decreasing to the west and east of it to 50-40 and increasing in the mountains to 80-110 days due to a long cold period. On the lower border of the high mountain zone there is snow 120 days a year.

At this time, a high pressure area is formed on the Javakheti-Armenian Highlands. From here the cold continental air of Asia Minor (temperature -12°C) is carried out, penetrating into the middle part of the Rio-Kura corridor, but quickly transforming as it moves east. Colchis is filled with sea air masses of temperate latitudes, coming here with Mediterranean cyclones (t 4-6o). In winter, they constantly cross the Black Sea, where the pressure is low, and fall, as it were, into a trap between the ridges of the B. and M. Caucasus. The greatest amount of precipitation falls at the end of summer (August-September), as well as at the end of autumn - beginning of winter. In other regions of the Caucasus at this time there is no precipitation, with the exception of the Kura-Araks lowland. Here, autumn-winter precipitation and partly spring precipitation are associated with a branch of the Iranian polar front, along which cyclonic activity develops. It intensifies significantly on the slopes of Talysh and along the outskirts of this lowland.

In summer, the formation of the climate of the Caucasus is significantly influenced by the frequency of humid Atlantic air masses and dry continental air masses that form over the interior regions of Eurasia and arrive from the east. In this regard, the importance of the submeridional climate division (the transverse uplift of the Stavropol Upland - the Central Caucasus) is increasing. On the Black Sea coast of the Caucasus and in Western Ciscaucasia the air warms up to 22-23°C. In the highest parts of the Stavropol Upland and in the Mineralovodsk region, the average July temperature is 20-21°C. In the east of Ciscaucasia the air warms up to 24-25°C. In the mountains, the air temperature decreases with height, amounting to 10°C at an altitude of about 2500 m and 7°C at an altitude of 3000 m. At Elbrus station (altitude 4250 m), the average July temperature is only 1.4°C.

In the first half of summer, the influence of Atlantic cyclones, which determine the June maximum precipitation, intensifies in the Ciscaucasia region. Later, the transformation of air masses over the southeast of the Russian Plain increases, so already in mid-summer the amount of precipitation decreases, and conditions are often created for the formation of hot winds and droughts, the frequency of which increases in the east.

The annual amount of precipitation increases from the foothills to the mountains and up the slopes, but at the same time noticeably decreases when moving from west to east. In the Kuban-Azov lowland, the annual precipitation amount is 550-600 mm, in the Stavropol Upland it increases to 700-800 mm and decreases to 500-350 mm in the Eastern Ciscaucasia. On the Black Sea coast, the amount of precipitation increases rapidly from north to south (from 700 mm northwest of Novorossiysk to 1650 mm in the Sochi region). In the highlands of the western part of the Greater Caucasus, 2000-3000 mm of precipitation falls, and in the eastern part - only 1000-1500 mm. The amount of precipitation also decreases in the depression between the Skalisty and Bokovoy ridges, especially in the “shadow” of the Skalisty Range, amounting to 650-700 mm. The highest annual precipitation is observed on the windward southwestern slopes of the Greater Caucasus. At Achishkho station it is over 3700 mm per year. This is the highest amount of precipitation not only in the Caucasus, but throughout Russia.

Average annual precipitation: Colchis, the southern slope of the Western Caucasus - 1.5-2 thousand mm, Western and Middle Ciscaucasia 450-600 mm, Eastern Ciscaucasia, Terek-Kuma Lowland - 200-350 mm, Kura-Araks Lowland - 200-300 mm, Javakheti-Armenian Highlands 450-600 mm, Lenkoran Lowland - 1200 mm. The warmest summer is in the Kura-Araks Lowland (26-28°C), in the rest of the territory 23-25°C, in the Javakheti-Armenian Highlands 18°C. However, temperature and precipitation are subject to change depending on the height of the mountains, forming altitudinal climatic zonation. Thus, the average annual temperature on the Black Sea coast is 12-14°С, in the foothills of the Caucasus it is 7-8°С, at an altitude of 2-3 thousand m -3-0°С. In summer, despite the increase in solar radiation with height, the temperature drops by an average of 0.5-0.6°C every 100 m, and in winter by 0.3-0.4°C. When climbing the mountains, the average annual positive temperature remains only up to an altitude of 2300-2500 m. On Elbrus it is -10°C. Similar patterns persist for average monthly air temperatures. Thus, the average January temperature in the Ciscaucasia is -2-7°C, in the midlands and highlands - from -8 to -13°C; on Elbrus -19°C; in Novorossiysk 3°C, Sochi 5°C. In July, the temperature is 23-25°C everywhere, at an altitude of 2-2.5 thousand m -18°C, 4000 m -2°С.

The amount of precipitation also varies with altitude. If in the north-eastern Ciscaucasia their precipitation is less than 300 m, further to the west 300-400 mm, and in the Western Ciscaucasia 400-500 mm, then in the low-mountain regions of Stavropol - Nalchik 500-800 mm, at the latitude and altitude of Vladikavkaz - 800-1000 m (1.5 thousand

Climate of the Caucasus

m), at an altitude of 2 thousand m on average 1000-1500 mm; higher the amount of precipitation decreases: Terskol - (3050 m) - 930 mm.

The height of the snow line is 2800-3000 m, in the western part - 3200-3500 m, in the eastern part of the Greater and Lesser Caucasus, glaciation is negligible - 3 square meters. km. On B.K. - 1420 km2, their total number is 2200. Of these, 70% is located on the northern slope, 30% on the southern slope. Types of glaciers - mountain-valley (20% of the area), cirque and hanging. The centers of glaciation are Elbrus, Kazbek, and other peaks of the central Caucasus in M.K. - Aragats, Zangezur Range, Javakheti Range. All glaciers are in the stage of retreat (10-20 m/year).

The climate and relief features of the Caucasus determine its modern glaciation. Within Russia in the Caucasus, there are 1,498 glaciers with a total glaciation area of ​​993.6 km2, which is 70% of the total number of glaciers and glaciation area of ​​the Greater Caucasus. The sharp predominance of glaciers on the northern slope is due to orographic features, snowstorm transport of snow by westerly winds beyond the barrier of the Dividing Range and slightly less insolation than on the southern slope. The snow line lies at altitudes of 2800-3200 m in the western part of the Caucasus and rises to 3600-4000 m in the east.

The greatest glaciation is concentrated in the Central Caucasus. The largest massif of modern glaciation is the Elbrus glacier complex (area 122.6 km2). The double-headed Elbrus is covered with a firn-ice cap with a diameter of about 10 km, which feeds over 50 glacial streams radiating from it. The largest complex valley glacier in the Caucasus is the Bezengi glacier (length 17.6 km, area 36.2 km2), located at the foot of the Bezengi wall and feeding the Cherek-Bezengi river. It is followed by the Dykh-Su glaciers (length 13.3 km, area 34.0 km2) and Karaugom (length 13.3 km, area 26.6 km2).

In the Western Caucasus, due to the low altitude of the mountains, there is little glaciation. Its largest areas are concentrated in the Kuban basin near the highest mountain peaks - Dombay-Ulgen, Pshish, etc. Glaciation of the Eastern Caucasus due to the great dryness of the climate is less significant and is represented mainly by small glaciers - cirques, hanging, cirque-valley.

The total area of ​​glaciers is 1965 km2. Glaciation reaches its greatest development between Elbrus and Kazbek, from here it gradually decreases to the west and sharply to the east. The most common are cairns and hanging ones. 20% are valley glaciers. Everyone is regressing.

Climate of the North Caucasus

Climate graph

The difference in precipitation between the driest and wettest months is 29 mm. Temperature variation throughout the year is 25.9 °C. Useful tips on reading the climate table: For each month, you will find data on precipitation (mm), average, maximum and minimum temperatures (in degrees Celsius and Fahrenheit). First line value: (1) January (2) February (3) March (4) April (5) May, (6) June (7) July (8) August (9) September, (10) October (11) November (12) December.

Winter holidays in the Caucasus

The North Caucasus is a place where you can come in any season and enjoy various types of recreation in a relatively small area. Mountains, sea, mineral springs, lakes and waterfalls - this is what the Caucasus can please a tourist with. Winter and New Year's holidays in this part of Russia have a special flavor. Moreover, winter in the Caucasus is mild and pleasant, and it is rarely very frosty and windy.

Ski holidays in the Caucasus

Winter is the best time for skiers. And holidays in the Caucasus at this time are one of the best active holidays in Russia. The North Caucasus gives you the opportunity to choose slopes to suit every taste: a fashionable holiday in Krasnaya Polyana or a slightly more modest, but surrounded by beautiful scenery, skiing in the Elbrus region or in Dombay. In addition to alpine skiing, you can ride snowmobiles or cross-country skis, or go horseback riding.

In the Sochi region, where excellent infrastructure has been built for the Winter Olympics, vacationers have access to not only mountain slopes, but also numerous entertainment, skating rinks and cinemas, clubs and restaurants. There are no problems with accommodation: you can book a hotel room, you can rent an apartment or a room from local residents. The only problem is the high cost and exceptional popularity of the Sochi ski slopes. If you want to spend the New Year holidays in this part of Russia, then you need to organize your vacation, especially booking a hotel, in mid-autumn.

In the Elbrus region, as in Dombay, there is little entertainment besides direct skiing from the mountains. There are plenty of hotels here, but they are all small and private, so you also need to book them very well in advance, and you shouldn’t expect exceptional service.

By the way, you can relax in the Caucasus Mountains in winter, but without skiing: just stay in an alpine camp or in one of several high-mountain hotels and contemplate the stunning views. Such a vacation will be life-saving for those who are tired of the constant flow of information and need solitude and the opportunity to reflect.

New Year's holidays are fun at the ski resorts of the Caucasus thanks to entertainment programs. Celebrating the New Year on a mountain or on a slope means getting an unforgettable experience for a lifetime. But there is one caveat: prices for hotels, food and entertainment here soar by the end of December and remain very high throughout January.

Healthy winter holidays in the Caucasus

Caucasian Mineral Waters is perhaps the best place in the European part of Russia where you can spend the New Year holidays with maximum health benefits. Numerous resorts provide the full range of their usual services, while each of them tries to provide a good entertainment program for the entire weekend. A calm and leisurely holiday in the health resorts of the Caucasus may seem boring, but in winter the healing effect is complemented by magnificent winter landscapes and crystal clear air.

Living in Kislovodsk or Pyatigorsk gives you the opportunity to plunge into the interesting history of these cities and visit places associated with the names of great Russian writers and public figures on a guided tour.

A wellness holiday in the Caucasus is a wonderful option for a winter family holiday in Russia.

Hiking and car tours in the Caucasus

The Caucasus abounds in hiking trails, and they are accessible all year round. As a rule, simple trekking routes are built so that people walking along them can see maximum beauty with minimal effort. There are such trails both in cities and in remote mountainous areas, so each tourist will choose a route based on the capabilities of his body. For example, you can leisurely spend a whole day in Kislovodsk, walking in the famous Resort Park on the mountain, which offers an amazing view of Elbrus.

Tours to the Chegem waterfalls in Kabardino-Balkaria are extremely popular in winter. The legendary waterfalls of the Chegem Gorge fascinate with their beauty at any time of the year, but in winter they are especially impressive. Frozen water forms ice pillars that look more like giant candles. Excursions to the mountain lakes of Karachay-Cherkessia and Kabardino-Balkaria are also very popular among tourists. However, it is advisable to travel to mountain beauty accompanied by experienced guides.

Combined tours

For lovers of active recreation, combined tours around the North Caucasus are suitable; they are offered by many travel agencies. Typically, these tours include visits to major cities and a short trip to attractions in the mountains. So, you can visit important historical and cultural places of Kislovodsk and “visit” Elbrus in 6–7 days. The bravest ones can include climbing Elbrus in their tour.

Horseback riding tours are very popular; they are organized in almost every Caucasian republic of Russia. Also interesting are safari tours, during which you can visit several beautiful places in off-road vehicles in a few days. This is the best New Year's holiday for collectors of impressions who want to see as many unique corners of the Caucasus as possible at one time.

Summer is hot everywhere, with the exception of the highlands. Thus, the average temperature on the plain in summer is about 25 °C, and in the upper reaches of the mountains - 0 °C.

The abundance of heat and light ensures the development of vegetation in the steppe zone for seven months, in the foothills for eight, and on the Black Sea coast for up to eleven. (T not lower than +10).

Winters in the Ciscaucasia are quite warm (the average temperature in January is -5ºC). This is facilitated by warm temperatures coming from the Atlantic Ocean. air masses. On the Black Sea coast, the temperature rarely drops below zero (the average January temperature is +3ºC). In mountainous areas, the temperature is naturally below -4 - 8° C.

Precipitation.

Dry Central Asian winds penetrating through the Caspian Sea and humid Black Sea winds have a decisive influence on the distribution of precipitation.

Precipitation they enter this territory mainly thanks to those coming from the west cyclones, as a result of which their number gradually decreases to the east. Most precipitation falls on the southwestern slopes of the Greater Caucasus. (2600mm) (most of all in our country). To the east, precipitation drops to 600 mm per year

Their number on the Kuban Plain is approximately 400 mm. The Stavropol Plateau serves not only as a watershed, but also as a barrier limiting the influence of the Black Sea winds in the east of the region. Therefore, the southwestern regions of the North Caucasus are quite humid (1410 mm of precipitation falls per year in Sochi), while the eastern ones are arid (Kizlyar - 340 mm).

The Caucasus is one of the southern regions of Russia. Its extreme points lie within 50.5° N. w. (northern tip of the Rostov region) and from the village. w. (on the border of Dagestan). The territory of the North Caucasus receives a lot of solar radiation - approximately one and a half times more than, for example, the Moscow region. Its annual amount for lowland and foothill areas is 120-140 large calories (kilocalories) for every square centimeter of surface.

The radiation flux is different in different seasons of the year. In summer, every square centimeter of surface receives 17-18 kcal per month. At this time, the heat balance is positive. In winter, the flow of sunlight is sharply reduced - to 3-6 kcal per 1 sq. cm per month and a lot of heat is reflected by the snow-covered earth's surface. Therefore, the radiation balance becomes negative for some time in the middle of winter.

There is a lot of heat everywhere in the North Caucasus, with the exception of the highlands. On the plains, average July temperatures everywhere exceed 20°, and summer lasts from 4.5 to 5.5 months. Average January temperatures range from -10° to +6° in different regions, and winter lasts only two to three months. The rest of the year is occupied by transitional seasons - spring and autumn.

Due to the abundance of heat and light, vegetation in the Caucasus has the opportunity to develop in the northern parts of the region for seven months, in the Ciscaucasia - eight months, and on the Black Sea coast, south of Gelendzhik - up to 11 months. This means that with the appropriate selection of field and garden crops, you can get one and a half harvests per year * in the north of the region, and in the entire Ciscaucasia - even two harvests.

The movement of air masses and their transformation in the North Caucasus are exceptionally complex and diverse. The area is located on the border of temperate and subtropical latitudes not far from the warm Mediterranean Sea. In the north, up to the Arctic Ocean, there are no significant orographic obstacles. In the south, on the contrary, high mountain ranges rise. Therefore, in all seasons of the year, different air masses can penetrate into the North Caucasus: either the cold dry air of the Arctic, or the moisture-saturated masses formed over the Atlantic Ocean, then the humid tropical air of the Mediterranean and, finally, although very rarely, also tropical, but dry and heavily dusty air from the desert highlands of Western Asia and the Middle East. Replacing each other, various air masses create great diversity and variety of weather conditions, which distinguish the North Caucasus. But the main amount of precipitation is associated with westerly winds carrying moisture from the Atlantic. Their moisture is intercepted by the slopes of mountains and hills facing the west, and to the east the dryness and continental climate increases, which affects the entire landscape.

The nature of air mass circulation in different seasons of the year has noticeable differences. And, of course, the conditions of the plains and mountains are sharply different.

On the plains in winter, the cold dense air of Siberia and Kazakhstan (Siberian, or Asian, anticyclone) and the relatively warm rarefied air settling over the Black Sea (Black Sea Depression) collide with each other. Under the influence of the Siberian anticyclone, streams of dry, very cooled air are constantly directed towards the Ciscaucasia. Due to the significant difference in pressure, the air flows quickly, generating strong, often stormy, easterly and northeasterly winds. These winds prevail throughout the winter in the Caspian region and in the eastern parts of the Ciscaucasia. Due to the dryness of the air they bring, almost no precipitation falls here, and the thickness of the snow cover is small - 5-10 cm, in some places there is no snow at all.

The air of the Siberian anticyclone rarely penetrates further west. The entire Western Ciscaucasia is under the influence of the Black Sea depression: cyclones come from there, bringing sharp warming and a lot of precipitation. The snow cover in the west is 2-3 times thicker than in the east, winter is unstable: frequent thaws sometimes last for a week or more, with temperatures rising to 6-12° in the north and up to 20° in the south of the region.

A peculiar climatic boundary between the Eastern and Western Ciscaucasia is the Stavropol Upland. Here, air masses that are very different in their physical properties meet each other. At the same time, the winds usually increase sharply; variable wind patterns are the main feature of winter in the Stavropol region.

Arctic air usually comes to the North Caucasus from the northwest. In the Lower Don and Ciscaucasia, this cold air, as a rule, is retained for a long time by the dense air of the Siberian anticyclone and mountain ranges. Then, it would seem, low temperatures are established that are not at all typical of these southern places. Thus, in Pyatigorsk and Maikop the absolute minimums, that is, the lowest temperatures observed, are equal to -30°, and in Krasnodar even -33°. Average lows are also quite harsh: -16°, -20°.

The cold Arctic air, as if clinging to the ground, usually does not rise high and does not cross the mountain ranges that protect Transcaucasia from the destructive northern cold. But cold incursions can bypass the Caucasus Mountains along their eastern edge along the Caspian coast, reaching Baku and its environs, often having a detrimental effect on the coastal regions of Dagestan along the way.

In the west, on a small section of the coast from Novorossiysk to Gelendzhik, where the mountain range is low, cold and dense air accumulating in the foothills sometimes rises to the saddle of the Markotkh Pass. Then the bora, locally known as a nor'easter, hits the city of Novorossiysk and Tsemes Bay - a wind of hurricane force and speed, and also extremely cold. It often causes serious destruction to urban areas and causes severe storms in the coastal parts of the sea.

In spring, air masses heated from the earth's surface rush upward and the pressure weakens. Then conditions are created for the active invasion of warm Mediterranean air. Under its influence, the fragile snow cover melts together, average daily temperatures quickly increase, and already in early May, summer conditions are established throughout the North Caucasus, except for the highlands.

In summer, the incoming air is actively transformed under the influence of the highly heated earth's surface and its own air, close to the tropical type, is formed in the region. On the plains everywhere, often for many weeks, an anticyclone with its characteristic weather features prevails: hot days predominate, with weak winds, little clouds and strong heating of the surface air layers, almost completely without rain.

Only from time to time do anticyclonic conditions give way to periods of cyclone passage. They usually invade from the Atlantic through Western Europe, Belarus and Ukraine, and much less often from the Black Sea. Cyclones bring cloudy weather: heavy rain falls on their leading fronts, often accompanied by thunderstorms. Occasionally, long drizzles fall in the rear of passing cyclones.

Cyclones almost always come from the west or northwest, and as they move east and southeast, the air masses they bring lose their moisture reserves. Therefore, not only in winter, but also in summer, the western lowland Ciscaucasia is moistened more abundantly than the eastern one. In the west, the annual precipitation is 380-520 mm, and in the Caspian region - only 220-250 mm. True, in the foothills and on the Stavropol Upland, precipitation increases to 600-650 mm, but on the plains east of the upland it is not enough to fully utilize the abundance of solar heat in agriculture and gardening. The situation is further complicated by the extreme unevenness of precipitation over time.

In fact, the entire territory of the Lower Don and the lowland Ciscaucasia is not guaranteed against the possibility of droughts with their constant companions - dry winds - a cruel, inexorable enemy of field and garden plants. However, not all areas are equally susceptible to these formidable natural phenomena. Thus, during the period from 1883 to 1946, that is, over 64 years, droughts occurred 21 times in the Caspian region, 15 times in the Rostov region, and only 5 times in the Kuban.

During droughts and hot winds, especially in the east, dusty or black storms often occur. They arise at a time when the upper layers of dry soil, still weakly held together by recently emerged plants, are blown away by a strong wind. Dust rises in clouds into the air, covering the sky with a thick veil. Sometimes the dust cloud is so dense that the sun barely shines through it and appears as a cloudy blood-red disk.

Measures to protect against black storms are known. The main ones are properly planned forest shelterbelts and high-quality agricultural technology. Much has already been done in this direction. However, until now, in the fields of Ciscaucasia it is often necessary to re-sow (re-sow) several tens of thousands of hectares, from which the most fertile layer of soil is blown away during dust storms.

In autumn, the influx of solar heat weakens. At first, the features of the summer circulation are still preserved. Anticyclonic weather with weak movement of air masses predominates. Subsequently, the earth's surface begins to noticeably cool, and from it the lower layers of air. In the mornings, thick milky-white fogs spread over the ground that has cooled overnight. Increasingly, the already very cool air of the Siberian anticyclone arrives, and in November a winter type of circulation is established over the entire territory of the North Caucasus.

The climate of the mountainous areas of the North Caucasus (from 800-900 m and above) is very different from the adjacent plains, although it repeats some of the most common features.

One of the main differences is that mountain slopes, holding back the flow of air masses, force them to rise upward. At the same time, the temperature of the air mass quickly decreases, and moisture saturation increases, which leads to precipitation. Therefore, mountain slopes are moistened much better: in the mountains of the Western Caucasus at altitudes above 2000 m, 2500-2600 mm falls per year; to the east their number decreases to 900–1000 mm. The lower zone of the mountains - from 1000 to 2000 m - receives less precipitation, but is still enough for the growth of lush forest vegetation.

Another difference is due to the decrease in temperature with increasing altitude: for every 100 m rise, it drops by about 0.5-0.6°. In this regard, the zonal distribution of climate is clearly evident on the mountain slopes, and already at an altitude of 2700 m on the northern slopes of the Western Caucasus mountains, 3700-3800 m in the Central and 3500 m in the Eastern there is a snow line, or the border of “eternal” snow. Above it, the warm season with positive temperatures lasts no more than 2.5-3 months, and at altitudes above 4000 m, even in July, positive temperatures are observed very rarely.

Due to the abundance of precipitation in the mountains of the Western Caucasus, 4–5 m of snow accumulates during the winter, and in the mountain valleys, where it is blown away by the wind, up to 10–12 m. Avalanche-prone areas often appear on the slopes here: when walking, one careless movement is enough, sometimes even a sharp sound, so that a thousand-ton mass of accumulated snow, falling off a steep ledge, would fly down with a terrible roar, destroying everything in its path. In the mountains of the Eastern Caucasus, due to general dryness, the snow cover is much less.

The third difference in the mountain climate is that the cooled air of the highlands often seems to flow down through relatively narrow intermountain valleys. When descending for every 100 m, the air heats up by about 1°. Falling from a height of 2500 m, when it reaches the lower parts of the mountains and foothills it heats up by 25°, that is, instead of cold it will become warm and even hot. Such winds are called foes. They blow at all times of the year, but occur especially often in the spring, when the intensity of the general circulation of air masses sharply increases.

Finally, another important distinguishing feature of the mountain climate is its amazing diversity from place to place, which is determined by the rugged terrain with numerous bends of the slopes, differently oriented relative to the sun's illumination and the directions of the prevailing winds. On the plains, differences in the orientation of the slopes due to their low steepness have less of an effect.

Despite the importance of each of the noted features of the climate of the mountains, the height is still of leading importance, determining the vertical division into climatic zones.