Recent Changes of Snow Cover and Winter Period Climatic Parameters in the South of the Central Russian Upland

Estimating long-term changes in seasonal snow cover and the conditions of the snow cover period is a key task in climate research. The study analyzes changes in snow cover extent and winter climatic parameters in the south of the Central Russian Upland of the East European Plain in the first decades of the 21st century. Assessments were conducted using MODIS snow products and meteorological observation data. In the period 2000–2025, a trend of decreasing average area of snow cover in winter was established. In 2020–2025, the average snow cover in November–March was 18% less than in the same period in 2000–2005. A decrease in snow cover extent occurred at the beginning and end of the winter period. Time series of snow cover area showed a negative trend for all months of the winter period except January. The snow cover area in 2020–2025 compared with 2000–2005 showed a considerable decrease in November, December, and March. The trend towards a decrease in snow cover extent occurred simultaneously with a trend towards warmer winters. The average temperature of the winter period showed a statistically significant positive trend. At the same time, the average temperature showed no considerable changes during the middle of the winter period. The average November–March temperature in 2020–2025 was 1.5 °C higher than in 2000–2005. Among the individual months of the winter period, the average temperature showed an increase in November, December, and March. At the same time, winter precipitation did not change significantly.