The Seasonal and Annual Dynamics of Hydrothermal Conditions in the Eastern Natural and Agricultural Zone of the Rostov Region in 1961–2020

Abstract

Based on data from the Remontnoe weather station located in the Eastern natural and agricultural zone of the Rostov region, the seasonal and annual dynamics of the average temperature and precipitation have been evaluated for the period of 1961–2020, as well as the dynamics of hydrothermal conditions expressed by the De Martonne aridity index. A significant trend to the growth of the average annual temperature and a trend to the growth of annual precipitation were observed for the studied period. A significant trend to an increase in the average seasonal temperature was observed for all seasons except autumn, for which a positive trend was registered. A downward trend in precipitation was revealed for summer seasons, whereas the opposite trend was observed for other seasons. The annual hydrothermal regime was characterized as moderately to slightly arid in 75% of cases. Moderately arid conditions also dominated in the spring (43%), summer (55%) and autumn (47%) seasons. The observed seasonal changes in the temperature and precipitation regimes during the studied period resulted in a shift in the character of hydrothermal conditions. Winter and summer seasons were characterized by a tendency of a hydrothermal regime shifting towards greater aridity, whereas spring and autumn were characterized by the opposite trend. In the case of the annual evaluation interval, a shift of the hydrothermal regime to a greater humidity was observed simultaneously with the increased precipitation. Thus, based on the revealed annual trends, we can conclude that the Remontnoye weather station was characterized by humid warming during 1961–2020.