This book describes the current climate of the Carpathian Mountains and investigates its recent variability and future expectations. It presents the spatial distribution patterns of some key climatic variables subject to the vertical climatic zonation.

This book is a comprehensive climatic monograph, which addresses one of the most complex mountain environments in Europe, the Carpathians Chain, focusing on the branches that lie over Romania. The volume aggregates high quality input data, state-of-the-art techniques, regional analysis and overview perspectives, while addressing the spatial and temporal patterns of the main climatic elements. The study covers the period 1961-2010, for the present climate, while the perspective is extended up to 2050. The main climatic elements (e.g. air temperature, precipitation, wind) are analyzed, but some specific variables like snow depth and snow cover are also examined, both in terms of average behaviour and extreme
characteristics. This is the first synthesis addressing the climate of this mountain region, and it provides useful information for scientists, mountain stakeholders, decision-makers and general public.

Presents the spatial distribution patterns of some key climatic variables subject to the vertical climatic zonation Reviews the observed climatic trends at above 1,000 m altitude Assesses the future climate change signals and associated climate extremes from the mid-term (2050) regional climate simulations

Inhalt
Contents: Theoretical background.- Study area.- Data.- Methods.- Geographical and synoptic control of the climate.- Regional climatic patterns.- Observed variability trends from instrumental records.- Changing climate extremes in the last five decades.- Projections of future changes in climate of the Romanian Carpathians.- Conclusions.- Index.