Climate change trends in the belarusian sector of exclusion zone of the Chernobyl NPP

Our studies over the period of long-term instrumental observations (1997–2022) at the Masany research station noted increase in the number of clear days and a decrease in the number of days classified as semi-clear (partly cloudy). The average annual value of the intensity of total solar radiation (energy illumination) in real cloudy conditions was 0.21 kW/m2 with an interval of variation over the years from 0.18 to 0.25 kW/m2 . The highest intensity of radiant energy in the annual cycle occurs in July (0.37 kW/m2), and the minimum amount of energy was observed in December (0.04 kW/m2). Average annual air temperature for the period 1997–2022 increased by 0.36 °С in relation to the long-term average value (7.7 °С) adopted for the nearest settlement (Bragin) and by 0.76 °С in relation to the long-term average value (7.4 °С), adopted for the Gomel region. The absolute maximum (+39.5 °C) for our observations was recorded in 2015, the absolute minimum in 2012 (−34.4 °C). There is a characteristic positive dynamics of increase in the average annual surface air temperature of about 0.06 °C/year. There was a decrease in the number of days with snow cover. The number of hot and dry days has increased. On average, 593.7 mm of precipitation falls per year on the territory under consideration. The average number of days with precipitation is 128 (35.1%). The moisture coefficient according to Ivanov in various years ranged from 0.5 to 1.4. There is a positive trend of increasing precipitation of about 0.4 mm/year. The average depth of snow cover was 6 cm. The number of days with snow cover has a clear downward trend over the years. Relative air humidity for the period 1997–2022 the average was 78 %. The average sum of active temperatures in the near zone of the Chernobyl accident was 2842 °C.