Journal of the Japanese Society of Snow and Ice

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For all snowy areas in Japan, this study analyzed the long-term changes in annual accumulated snowfall depth (AASD) and annual maximum snow depth (AMSD), and their relation to the environment, focusing on the differences in the winter mean temperatures (WMT) at each site, using records observed by Japan Meteorological Agency (JMA). In the area of the Sea of Japan side, AASD and AMSD tend to decrease from the western part of Hokuriku region to Kyushu region, where the average value of WMT range above about 3 °C. These rates of decrease tend to be greater accompanying the higher WMT site. While there is no such tendency from Hokkaido region to the eastern part of Hokuriku region, where the average value of WMT range below about 3 °C. In the area of the Pacific side, these tend to decrease only in some sites. Further, their correlations with WMT and the East Asian Winter Monsoon Index (MOI) tend to glow stronger accompanying the higher WMT site from Hokkaido region to Hokuriku region and then glow weaker from Sanin region to Kyushu region. While there is no such regional trend in the correlation between these and the Arctic Oscillation Index (AOI). In the area of the Pacific side, these also show regional trend in correlation with WMT and MOI. Moreover, in both areas, the changing rates of AASD and AMSD when WMT, MOI, and AOI changes tend to be greater accompanying the higher WMT site from Hokkaido region to the west.

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