| Summary: | 24 cm Mountain areas are ecosystems very vulnerable to fluctuations and changes of climate. As a consequence, research into climate and climate change in Poland’s Karkonosze and Tatra Mountains has been ongoing for several years now, and has already yielded essential information regarding these highest ranges in Poland. However, there remains a paucity of research comparing features of climate in the two chains of mountains. In consequence, the work detailed here has sought to compare key climate characteristics in these ranges, as well as their seasonal and multiannual changes over the period 1951‒2015. The research is based on daily meteorological records from within the network of Poland’s Institute of Meteorology and Water Management – National Research Institute. In the case of the Karkonosze Mts., it was the meteorological stations at Śnieżka (Ś, 1603 m a.s.l.) and Jelenia Góra (JG, 344 m a.s.l.) that were chosen; while in the Tatras the selected stations were on Kasprowy Wierch (KW, 1990 m a.s.l.) and in Zakopane (Z, 857 m a.s.l.). Additionally, the station at Hala Gąsienicowa (HG, 1520 m a.s.l.) was considered in line with data available for the shorter 1981‒2015 period. The research took account of daily data on air temperature, relative humidity of the air, wind speed, precipitation and snow cover. Specifically, the climate characteristics calculated and analysed by reference to mean multiannual, yearly and seasonal values related to air temperature, maximum temperature, minimum temperature, precipitation totals and maximum snow depth. Further analysis related to numbers of days with precipitation and snow cover, as well as numbers of days with specific air temperatures described as hot (Tmax >25°C), frosty (Tmax <0°C), very frosty (Tmin<-10°C) and icy (Tmax<-10°C). Several climate similarities and differences between the Tatra and Karkonosze Mts. were found to include: 1. mean annual altitudinal gradients for air temperature that are similar for the Tatras (-0.53°C per 100 m) and the ...
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