57 years (1960–2017) of snow and meteorological observations from a mid-altitude mountain site (Col de Porte, France, 1325 m of altitude)

Summary

This paper documents and makes publicly accessible a 57-year dataset (1960–2017) of snow and meteorological observations from a mid-altitude Alpine site in France, with detailed uncertainty characterisation for key variables. The authors demonstrate that the data reveal measurable climate change signals—notably a 40% decline in seasonal snow depth and warming of 0.90 K over recent decades—and validate the dataset's suitability for driving and evaluating long-term snowpack models. The release of this high-quality, long-duration observational record supports climate change impact assessment and hydrological/cryospheric modelling across Alpine regions.

UK applicability

This Alpine observational dataset may have limited direct applicability to UK farming systems, which operate at lower elevations with different winter precipitation regimes. However, the methodological approach to long-term snow and soil monitoring, uncertainty quantification, and climate trend detection could inform UK mountain and upland research programmes, particularly in Scotland where winter snow dynamics affect grassland and pastoral management.

Key measures

Daily snow depth, snow water equivalent (SWE), soil temperature, shortwave irradiance (diffuse-to-total ratio), hourly meteorological variables, weekly snow profiles; measurement uncertainties quantified (±10 cm for snow depth, ±25 kg m−2 for SWE, ±1 K for soil temperature)

Outcomes reported

The study presents 57 years of daily and hourly snow and meteorological data from Col de Porte (1325 m altitude, French Alps), including weekly snow profiles and soil properties. The dataset documents significant climate change signals, including a 39 cm decrease in mean snow depth (40% decline) and a +0.90 K increase in temperature between the 1960–1990 and 1990–2017 periods.

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