Zbigniew Sabatowski
Atmospheric dryness in Karkonosze
Mountains
In the paper the occurrence
of phenomenon of atmospheric dryness in Karkonosze Mountains in 1965-2000 is
presented. This study used data on daily sums of precipitation from
Meteorological Observatory of Meteorology and Climatology Department of Wroc³aw
University in Karkonosze on Szrenica Mt. (1362 m asl). The data was analysed in
three ways. First method based on water deficit in environment from long-term
mean sums. Next, on the series of days with no precipitation observed (by A.
Schmuck), while the third - on indicators of humidifying and dryness of
atmosphere by S. Bac. The criteria allowed to discriminate days and periods
highly above or beyond of standards. Results cannot described categorically the
intensity of the phenomenon investigated. Still, it proclaims that the
phenomenon occurs on every kind of terrain, even in mountains, but its
impact is not so strong.
Time differentiation of
precipitation during year and during many years period is similar in Karkonosze
and in other parts of Odra River basin. Hence, it can be said that droughts in
Karkonosze Mountains are rather typical, although irregularly occurred
phenomenon. moreover, they are connected with typical atmospheric circulation
over south-western part of Poland.
Due to high altitude over
mean sea level this phenomenon is not so intense as elsewhere. The periods with
no precipitation are rare, and the dryness last shorter. Although the water balance showed no
negative value during the year it is hard to tell what negative consequences
may occur due to high deviation of the water balance.