Climatic zones of the Caucasus. Climatic conditions of the Caucasus

2. Describe the climate of the Greater Caucasus, explain how the climate of the foothills differs from the high-mountain regions?

1. The climate of the Greater Caucasus is determined by its southern location, the proximity of the Black and Mediterranean seas, as well as the significant height of the mountain ranges. The Greater Caucasus is a barrier to the movement of masses of moist warm air from the west. More precipitation occurs on the southern slopes, maximum amount- in the western part, where more than 2500 mm falls per year in the highlands (more than anything in our country). To the east, precipitation drops to 600 mm per year. The northern slope of the Greater Caucasus is generally drier than the southern one.

   In the Greater Caucasus Mountains, in a relatively small area, there is a wide range of climatic zones with a pronounced zonality in altitude: humid subtropics of the Black Sea coast, continental dry (in the east to semi-desert) climate with hot summers and short but cold winter on the plains of the Ciscaucasia there is a moderate continental climate of the foothills with significant precipitation (especially in the western part) and snowy winters (in the Krasnaya Polyana area, on the watershed of the Bzyb and Chkhalta rivers, the snow cover reaches 5 m and even 8 m). In the area of ​​alpine meadows, the climate is cold and humid, winter lasts up to 7 months, average temperatures in August, the warmest month, range from 0 to +10C. Above is the so-called nival belt, where average temperature even the warmest month does not exceed 0. Precipitation here falls mainly in the form of snow or graupel (hail).

   Average January temperatures at the foot of the mountains are -5C in the north and from +3 to +6C in the south at an altitude of 2000 m -7-8C, at an altitude of 3000 m -12C, at an altitude of 4000 m -17C. Average July temperatures at the foot of the mountains in the west are +24C, in the east up to +29C at an altitude of 2000 m +14C, at an altitude of 3000 m +8C, at an altitude of 4000 m +2C.

   In the Greater Caucasus, the height of the snow line, rising from west to east, ranges from 2700 m to 3900 m above sea level. Its northern elevation is different for the northern and southern slopes. In the Western Caucasus these are 3010 and 2090 m, respectively, in the Central Caucasus - 3360 and 3560 m, in the Eastern Caucasus - 3700 and 3800 m. The total area of ​​modern glaciation in the Greater Caucasus is 1780 km. The number of glaciers is 2047, their tongues descend to absolute levels: 2300-2700 m (Western Caucasus), 1950-2400 m (Central Caucasus), 2400-3200 m (Eastern Caucasus). Most of the glaciation occurs on the northern side of the GKH. The distribution of the glaciation area is as follows: Western Caucasus - 282 and 163 sq. km Central Caucasus - 835 and 385 sq. km Eastern Caucasus - 114 and 1 sq. km respectively.

   Caucasian glaciers are distinguished by a variety of forms. Here you can see grandiose icefalls with seracs, ice grottoes, “tables”, “mills”, deep cracks. Glaciers carry out a large number of clastic material accumulating in the form of various moraines on the sides and at the tongue of glaciers.

The climatic region of the natural region of the Caucasus is different: Ciscaucasia occupies a temperate climate region, and Transcaucasia is subtropical. Climatic regions are different because of different topography, air currents, and local circulation. Changes in climatic conditions in the Caucasus occur in three directions. From the western part of the Caucasus towards the east, the continental climate increases. From north to south, total solar radiation increases. The higher you go in the mountains, the lower the temperature and the more precipitation. In the North Caucasus, solar radiation is 1.5 times greater than in the Moscow region, per 1 cm2 per year. surface 120-140 kC. Depending on the time of year, the radiation flux is different: in summer the heat balance is positive, and in winter it is negative, since a certain percentage of radiation is reflected by the snow cover. Summer is long. Temperature fluctuations in July on the plains are more than +20 degrees. In January, temperatures range from -10 to +6 degrees Celsius.

In the north of the Caucasus, continental air of temperate latitudes dominates. Transcaucasia is a zone of subtropical air masses. The north is devoid of orographic obstacles, and the south has high mountains, so throughout the year different air masses penetrate here - Arctic cold air, humid air of the Mediterranean tropics, Atlantic humid air masses or dry and dusty Central Asian and Middle Eastern air. In the Ciscaucasia in winter, mainly continental air of temperate latitudes dominates. IN winter time areas are formed over the Black and Caspian seas low pressure, so strong cold winds appear. The Asian anticyclone moves to the east, which reduces the amount of snow. IN winter period A local anticyclone is forming over the Armenian Highlands. In the Ciscaucasia, the temperature drops to 30-36 minus due to the cold northern air. The minimum temperature in Anapa is 260C, in Sochi – 150C.

During the cold season, the influence of cyclones on the Black Sea coast increases, so the amount of precipitation during this period is the highest. In the rest of the territory, maximum precipitation is observed in summer period. In winter, snow falls in the Caucasus mountains and plains. There are snowless winters. The thickness of the snow cover on the plains is from 10 to 15 cm. The southwestern slopes of the Greater Caucasus are covered with a 3-4 meter blanket of snow. The summer climate of the Caucasus is formed mainly by humid air from the Atlantic and dry continental air. The air temperature in Western Ciscaucasia and the Black Sea coast reaches + 22, +23 degrees, in eastern Ciscaucasia reaches +24, + 25 degrees. Temperature decreases noticeably with altitude. On Elbrus the average thermometer is only +1.4 degrees.

In the Ciscaucasia, Atlantic cyclones bring the maximum amount of precipitation in the first half of summer. In mid-summer, air masses transform over the southeast of the East European Plain, which leads to a decrease in precipitation and the formation of hot winds with droughts. Rising from the foothills to the mountains, the amount of precipitation increases, but in the eastern part it decreases significantly. The annual rate of the Kuban-Azov lowland reaches 550-600 mm of precipitation. If we consider the Sochi region, the figure will be 1650 mm. In the west of the Greater Caucasus Mountains, an average of 2000-3000 mm of precipitation falls, and in the eastern region the figure is 1000-1500 mm. The greatest amount of precipitation was recorded on the windward slopes of the Greater Caucasus on the southwestern side. For example, at Achishkho station the highest amount of precipitation falls not only in the Caucasus region, but in all of Russia combined. This figure reaches more than 3700 mm per year.

Modern glaciation of the Caucasus is associated with its climate and relief features. There are 1,498 glaciers in the Russian Caucasus, which is 70% of the total number of glaciers, as well as the glaciated area of ​​the Greater Caucasus.

Rivers of the Caucasus

The Caucasus Mountains collect large amounts of moisture. These are rains, snow, glaciers. It is in the mountains that the sources of all Caucasian rivers are located. In the flat territories of the Ciscaucasia, river waters flow into the Black, Azov and Caspian seas. Mostly mountain rivers with rapid currents. There are also lowland rivers in the Caucasus, which have a slow flow and little flood. The Stavropol Upland is the starting point for some lowland rivers. In summer they dry out, forming peculiar chains of lakes. The upper reaches of the Kuban, Kuma, Rioni, Terek, Kura, and Araks rivers are located in the mountains, and the lower reaches are on the plains. These rivers are fed by rain and groundwater. Showers feed the rivers located between Tuapse and Sochi, turning them into rapid streams. When there is no rain, rivers turn into streams. The sources of the mountain rivers Bzyb, Kodor, Inguri are located at an altitude of 2 to 3 thousand meters. Sulak and Terek flow at high speed through deep canyon-like gorges. These rivers have rapids and waterfalls.

The density of the river network of valleys is uneven and reaches only 0.05 km/sq. km. The southern slope of the mountain system has a dense river network. The rivers of the Caucasus, especially in Dagestan, are muddy, as rocks and various sediments are washed away. The most muddy waters of the Kura and Terek rivers. Kuban, Kagalnik, Western Manych, Chelbas and Beysug flow into the Black Sea. The rivers of the Caspian Sea basin are Samur, Terek, Sulak, Eastern Manych, Kuma and Kalaus.

The Caucasian rivers have a minor transport function. The navigable category includes Kuru, Rioni, Kuban. Rivers are used to irrigate territories, and it is also convenient to float timber along them. There are hydroelectric power stations on many Caucasian rivers.

Lakes of the Caucasus

There are few lakes in the Caucasus. The total number is about 2 thousand. The area of ​​the lakes is small. An exception is the mountain lake Sevan, the height of the water surface of which is 1916 m, and the greatest depth is 99 m. The area and depth of the lake have decreased slightly due to the construction of a hydroelectric power station on it. This factor affected not only the lake, but also the nature of the surrounding area. Some animal species disappeared, the number of fish decreased, and bare peat bogs formed in the area.

The plains of the coasts of the Azov and Caspian Seas contain lagoonal and estuary lakes. The Manych lakes formed a whole system. Certain lakes in this system sometimes dry up during the summer.

The foothills and lower slopes do not have lakes, but there are many of them in the mountains. The basins of mountain lakes are different in origin. Most are tectonic, but there are also karst, volcanic and cirque. Lakes of volcanic origin are characterized by a dammed nature. River pool Teberdy is famous for its lakes of glacial origin that have survived to this day. The floodplains of lowland rivers are decorated with peculiar lakes. For example, this is the dammed lake Ritsa, located in the mountains.

1) What features of the nature of mountains do you know from the 7th grade geography course?

For mountains, the characteristic altitudinal zonation varies natural areas. In mountains, pressure and temperatures drop with altitude.

Questions in a paragraph

*Remember by what amount the air temperature decreases when rising for every 100 m. Calculate how much the air cools when rising to a height of 4000 m, if its temperature at the surface of the earth is +200C. What happens to the moisture in the air?

For every 100 m rise, the air temperature decreases by 0.60C. The temperature at an altitude of 4000 m will be -40C. The moisture in the air will begin to condense.

*Explain why there is no such thing in the mountains of the Eastern Caucasus snow avalanches.

Due to the dry climate, there is very little snow there.

*Think about the differences that will be observed in the change of altitudinal zones on the western and eastern slopes.

There are altitudinal belts of the Caucasus, belonging to two types vertical zoning: continental and coastal (seaside). The second is represented in the mountains of the Western Caucasus, influenced by the Atlantic and humid sea air. In the east, slightly different altitudinal belts of the Caucasus are observed, which are often called the continental, or Dagestan type of vertical zoning.

Questions at the end of the paragraph

1. Name the main features of the nature of the highlands and explain their reasons.

High rainfall, short warm season, dependence natural conditions from the height of the mountains and the exposure of the slopes, the distribution of glacial landforms, altitudinal zones.

2. Describe the climate of the Greater Caucasus, explain how the climate of the foothills differs from the high-mountain regions.

With the exception of the highlands, the climate in the North Caucasus is mild and warm; on the plains, the average July temperature everywhere exceeds 20°C, and summer lasts from 4.5 to 5.5 months. Average January temperatures range from -10 to +6°C, and winter lasts only two to three months. In the North Caucasus there is the city of Sochi, which has the warmest winter in Russia with a January temperature of +6.1°C. The climate of the highlands is very different from the plains and foothills. The first main difference is that much more precipitation falls in the mountains: at an altitude of 2000 m - 2500-2600 mm per year. The second difference in the climate of the highlands is the decrease in the duration of the warm season due to the decrease in air temperature with height. Third difference high mountain climate- its amazing diversity from place to place due to the height of the mountains, slope exposure, proximity or distance from the sea. The fourth difference is the uniqueness of atmospheric circulation.

3. Using Figure 102, explain the features altitudinal zone Greater Caucasus.

There are altitudinal zones of the Caucasus, belonging to two types of vertical zonation: continental and coastal (seaside). The second is represented in the mountains of the Western Caucasus, influenced by the Atlantic and humid sea air. Let us list the main altitudinal zones from the foothills to the peaks:

1. Meadow steppes, interrupted by clumps of oak, hornbeam, ash (up to 100 m).

2. Forest belt.

3. Subalpine crooked forests and tall grass meadows (at an altitude of 2000 m).

4. Low-grass alpine meadows, rich in bluebells, cereals and umbrella plants.

5. Nival zone (at an altitude of 2800–3200 m).

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.

IN winter months the territory is located south of the “major axis”; regions are formed over the Black Sea and the south of the Caspian Sea low blood pressure. 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 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 in Black Sea coast 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 the plains with relatively warm winter 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 region was formed on the Javakheti-Armenian Highlands high pressure. 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 - greatest number 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.

Quantity atmospheric precipitation also changes 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. There are 1,498 glaciers within Russia in the Caucasus with total area glaciation is 993.6 km2, which is 70% of the total number of glaciers and glaciated 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

JanuaryFebruaryMarchAprilMayJuneJulyAugustSeptemberOctoberNovemberDecember

Average temperature (°C)	-3.7	-2.9	1.2	9.4	15.7	20	22.2	21.6	16.2	9.6	3.5	-0.6
minimum temperature (°C)	-6.8	-6	-2.5	4.5	10.3	14.4	16.4	15.6	10.4	4.8	0.3	-3.3
maximum temperature (°C)	-0.6	0.3	4.9	14.3	21.2	25.7	28.1	27.6	22	14.4	6.7	2.2
Average Temperature (°F)	25.3	26.8	34.2	48.9	60.3	68.0	72.0	70.9	61.2	49.3	38.3	30.9
minimum temperature (°F)	19.8	21.2	27.5	40.1	50.5	57.9	61.5	60.1	50.7	40.6	32.5	26.1
maximum temperature (°F)	30.9	32.5	40.8	57.7	70.2	78.3	82.6	81.7	71.6	57.9	44.1	36.0
Precipitation rate (mm)	33	31	26	33	43	53	55	38	38	28	35	38

The difference in precipitation between the driest and wettest months is 29 mm. Temperature change throughout the year is 25.9 °C. Useful tips About 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 recreation. 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 - 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 little more modest, but surrounded beautiful landscapes skiing in the Elbrus region or in Dombay. Except 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. Meet New Year on the mountain or on the slope means an unforgettable experience of 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 water, 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 interesting story these cities, visit on a tour places associated with the names of great Russian writers and public figures.

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 active rest 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 most beautiful places. 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.

The Caucasus is one of the southern regions of Russia. His extreme points lie within 50.5° N. w. (northern window Rostov region) and with s. w. (on the border of Dagestan). Territory 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 snowy 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 areas, 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, various 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 dominate in the Caspian region and in eastern parts 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 we meet with each other, very heterogeneous in their physical properties air masses. 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 frequently 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 annual quantity 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 increases sharply general circulation air masses

Finally, another important one distinguishing feature The climate of the mountains 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.