Spatio-temporal analysis of snow cover in Iran based on topographic characteristics

Snow cover is an important parameter in the hydrological cycle and energy budget of the surface. The knowledge of the spatial and temporal distribution of snow cover is essential to understand the complex behavior of this parameter. This study aims to evaluate the spatio-temporal of snow cover in Iran using the 500 m 8 day MODIS snow cover product data (MOD10A2) during 2001–2015. Since the maximum of the snow cover area was observed in January 2008, we separated this area as region of snowy in Iran. Separated area categorized into five districts based on elevation. Spatial distribution of snow cover carried out in relation to slopes of 0 to 44.9 ° and 44.9 to 89.8 °. We used from Mean, standard deviation (SD) and coefficient of variation (CV) to showing temporal distribution of snow cover. Results show that, the snow cover is directly related to elevation. The highest regions have the Maximum snow cover (in regions of 4 and 5 snow cover reached to 100%). Average of 8-day snow cover in slops of 44.9 to 89.8 ° was higher than slops of 0 to 44.9 °. The maximum and minimum of snow cover were related to northern and flat slopes, respectively. The maximum values in mean, SD and CV has occurred in 8 days of 33, 9 and 41, respectively. SD Rises in the middle 8-day (from 9 to 41) and reduced in ending the 8-day. The CV is an interesting statistic to show the variability of snow cover. The maximum values of CV were observed in the Caspian lowlands region. the CV values reduced by increasing in elevation In all cases.