Air temperature and precipitation anomalies in the subtropical landscapes of Russia, exemplified by the Southern coast of Crimea and the Black sea coast of the Caucasus

The aim is to identify anomalies in air temperature and precipitation in the subtropical landscapes of Russia, using the example of the South Coast of the Crimea and the Black Sea coast of the Caucasus, and to analyze their spatial distribution. Methods. The anomalies of the average annual temperature and annual precipitation for the period 2000–2020 were calculated using the statistical method of standardized anomalies (Z-analysis method). Results. Maps of the spatial distribution of anomalies in the average annual values of air temperature and precipitation within the South Coast of the Crimea and the Black Sea coast of the Caucasus were obtained for the average annual period of 2000–2020. The spatial localization of anomalies in the average annual values of air temperature and precipitation in the areas under consideration was identified. Conclusions. Based on the obtained maps and calculations of average annual temperature anomalies, it is noted that only negative anomalies are present on the territory of the Southern Federal District and the Black Sea coast of the Caucasus, which are distributed closer to mountainous areas far from the coast. No positive air temperature anomalies have been detected over the multi-year period 2000–2020, despite the general trend of an increase in the average annual air temperature: by 0.67°C over 20 years in the Southern Caucasus, by 1.52°C over 20 years on the Black Sea coast of the Caucasus. The obtained maps and calculations of annual precipitation anomalies show that, on average, over the long-term period 2000–2020, negative anomalies occur only on the territory of the Black Sea coast of the Caucasus within its northwestern part. Positive anomalies are found in all the sites under consideration, however, the anomaly “significantly higher than normal” was noted within the Southern Federal District in the mountainous area from Ai-Petrinskaya yayla to Babugan Yayla at a distance from the coast. The overall trend in precipitation is negative: in the South Caucasus, on average, precipitation decreased by 61.3 mm over 20 years for the entire territory, and by 203.4 mm over 20 years on the Black Sea coast of the Caucasus

Air temperature · Black sea · Precipitation · Sea level · Sea surface temperature · Spatial distribution · Subtropics · Climate variability and models · Soil and Environmental Studies · Water Resources and Management