Mapping of Japanese areas susceptible to snow cover change

• Published in: Hydrological sciences journal Vol. 58; no. 8; pp. 1718 - 1728
• Main Authors: Chaffe, P.L.B, Takara, K, Yamashiki, Y, Apip, Luo, P, Silva, R.V, Nakakita, E
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Wallingford Taylor & Francis 01.11.2013; IAHS Press; Taylor & Francis Ltd
• Subjects: AGCM; AMeDAS; APHRO_JP; climate change; couverture nivale, changement climatique; Earth sciences; Earth, ocean, space; Exact sciences and technology; Freshwater; Hydrology. Hydrogeology; Japan; Japon; MCGA; snow; snow cover; snowmelt; snowpack; Système d'acquisition automatique de données météorologiques; temperature; water management; watersheds; winter; Japan; Tohoku; Far East; Asia; Honshu; Japan, Honshu, Tohoku Region; Japan, Honshu, Niigata Prefect., Agano R; water resource management; temperature; altitude; models; snow; climate change
• DOI: 10.1080/02626667.2013.839874
• ISSN: 2150-3435; 0262-6667

Many of the Japanese regions subject to seasonal snow cover are characterized by low elevations and relatively high winter temperatures. A small change in winter temperatures could render many of these areas susceptible to snow cover change and consequently affect water resources management. This paper describes a climatological approach combined with an AGCM output to identify the regions and main river basins most sensitive to snow cover change in the case of climate change in Japan. It was found that a 1°C rise in temperature during the winter season could increase the snow-free area of Japan by 6%. The snow cover of Tohoku region and Mogami and Agano river basins was found to be the most sensitive to climate change. The AGCM output for a future scenario presents a reduction in total snowfall and an earlier peak in snowmelt for all regions. Editor Z.W. Kundzewicz Citation Chaffe, P.L.B, Takara, K, Yamashiki, Y, Apip, Luo, P., Silva, R.V., and Nakakita, E., 2013. Mapping of Japanese areas susceptible to snow cover change. Hydrological Sciences Journal , 58 (8), 1718–1728.