Snow cover variability in the Western Beskids (Poland) during the 1951–2023 winter seasons

Abstract The impact of long-term snow cover variability on winter tourism in the mountainous areas of Poland is an increasingly important research topic, particularly in light of the anticipated effects of climate change. Available studies are often of regional scope, limited to higher elevations, while lower mountain ranges such as the Western Beskids remain insufficiently studied. This study aims to examine trends, determine the rate of change, and identify abrupt changes for selected snow cover variables: snow cover duration [SCD], total number of days with snow cover equal to or greater than 30 cm [SCD ≥ 30], and potential snow cover duration [PSCD]. We show that during the study period, the seasonal duration of snow cover decreased at approximately half of the studied locations, while no significant trends were observed for skiing-specific indicators. The most pronounced downward trends occurred in January and March. At the same time, step change detection revealed abrupt changes in time series, mostly in the 1980s. Our results demonstrate that snow cover variability can be effectively assessed in lower mountainous regions and in climatically complex temperate zones, provided that sufficiently long time series are available. They also confirm that the declining trends in snow cover observed elsewhere are likewise present in the Western Beskids.