The climate of the Caucasus is very diverse, which is explained primarily by the influence of relief.

The Caucasus is located on the border of temperate and subtropical climate zones. The differences between them are amplified by the Greater Caucasus Mountains, which make it difficult to transport cold air masses from the north to Transcaucasia and warm from the south to Ciscaucasia. The North Caucasus belongs to the temperate zone, Transcaucasia - to the subtropical zone. The differences between them are especially noticeable in air temperature.There is a lot of heat everywhere in the North Caucasus, with the exception of the highlands. On the plains, average July temperatures everywhere exceed 20°, and summer lasts from 4.5 to 5.5 months. Average January temperatures range from -10° to +6° in different areas, and winter lasts only two to three months. The rest of the year is occupied by transitional seasons - spring and autumn.

In the Greater Caucasus, starting from an altitude of approximately 2000 m, and in the Transcaucasian Plateau somewhat higher, the role of western air transport plays a role, and therefore the influence of the Atlantic and the Mediterranean Sea increases. Therefore, in the highlands the climate is more humid.

The complex mountainous terrain creates a wide variety of local climates in the Caucasus, and the previously outlined large geomorphiclogical units differ in climate.

The diversity of the climate of the Caucasus determines the differences in the agricultural use of its territory. The economic importance of the Transcaucasian subtropical regions protected by the mountain barrier of the Greater Caucasus is especially great, where a whole range of varieties of subtropical climate is observed, ranging from humid, allowing for the cultivation of tea and citrus fruits, and ending with dry, suitable for growing cotton and other crops that require an abundance of sunlight.

The climate of the Caucasus is very diverse. The northern part of the Caucasus is located within temperate zone Transcaucasia is subtropical. This geographical position significantly influences climate formation various parts Caucasus.

The Caucasus is a striking example of the influence of orography and relief on climate-forming processes. Radiant energy is distributed unevenly due to different angles of incidence and different heights of surface levels. The circulation of air masses reaching the Caucasus undergoes significant changes, meeting on its way the mountain ranges of both the Greater Caucasus and Transcaucasia. Climatic contrasts occur over relatively short distances. An example is the western, abundantly moistened Transcaucasia and the eastern, dry subtropical climate of the Kura-Araks lowland. The exposure of the slopes is of great importance, greatly influencing the thermal regime and the distribution of precipitation. The climate is influenced by the seas washing the Caucasian Isthmus, especially the Black Sea.

The Black and Caspian seas moderate the air temperature in summer, contribute to a more even diurnal variation, moisten the adjacent parts of the Caucasus, increase the temperature of the cold season, and reduce temperature amplitudes. The flat eastern Ciscaucasia and the Kura-Araks lowland, which protrudes deeply into the isthmus, do not contribute to the condensation of moisture coming from the Caspian Sea. The Ciscaucasia is greatly influenced by continental air masses coming from the north, including the Arctic, which often significantly reduce the temperature of the warm season. A spur of high East Siberian barometric pressure often lowers the temperature of the cold season. There are cases when cold air, flowing from the east and west of the Greater Caucasus, spreads into Transcaucasia, causing a sharp drop in temperature there.

Air masses coming from the Atlantic Ocean and the Mediterranean provide high humidity in the western parts of the Caucasus and the slopes of the western-facing ridges. Additional moisture is brought by air masses passing over the Black Sea. The influence of the Caspian Sea is less pronounced.

IN general outline The climate of the Caucasus changes significantly in three directions: from west to east in the direction of increasing dryness and continentality, from north to south in the direction of increasing total radiation and radiation balance, and in altitude on mountain structures, where altitudinal zonation is clearly manifested.

Total radiation within the Caucasus ranges from 460548 J/sq. cm in the north to 586,152 J/sq. cm in the extreme south. Annual radiation balance from 146538 to 188406 J/sq. cm. The amount of solar radiation depends not only on latitude, but also on cloud cover. Many peaks of the Caucasus are characterized by persistent cloudiness, so direct solar radiation here is below average. To the east it increases due to decreased humidity. The exception is Lankaran and Talysh, where the topography promotes condensation of water vapor and increased cloudiness.

The amount of total radiation and radiation balance in different regions of the Caucasus is not the same due to contrasts in orography, relief, different angles of incidence of solar rays and physical properties underlying surface. In summer, the radiation balance in some areas of the Caucasus approaches the balance of tropical latitudes, so the air temperatures here are high (the Ciscaucasia and Transcaucasian plains), and in abundantly humidified areas there is high evaporation and, accordingly, increased air humidity.

The air masses that take part in the circulation over the territory of the Caucasus are different. Mainly continental air dominates over the Ciscaucasia temperate latitudes, in Transcaucasia - subtropical. High mountain belts are influenced by air masses coming from the west, and the northern slopes of the Greater Caucasus and the Arctic - from the north.

In the Ciscaucasia, located south of the band of high barometric pressure, cold air often enters. Low pressure remains over the Black Sea and in the southern part of the Caspian Sea. Pressure contrasts cause cold air to spread southward. In such a situation, the barrier role of the Greater Caucasus is especially great, serving as an obstacle to the widespread penetration of cold air into Transcaucasia. Typically, its influence is limited to the Ciscaucasia and the northern slope of the Greater Caucasus to approximately an altitude of about 700 m. It causes a sharp decrease in temperatures, an increase in pressure and an increase in wind speed.

Intrusions of cold air masses from the northwest and northeast are observed, bypassing the Greater Caucasus ridges along the shores of the Caspian and Black Seas. The accumulated cold air flows over the low ridges. and spreads along the western and eastern coasts to Batumi and Lenkoran, causing temperatures to drop on the western coast of Transcaucasia to -12°, on the Lenkoran lowland to -15° C and below. A sharp drop in temperature has a disastrous effect on subtropical crops and especially citrus fruits. The pressure gradients in the above situations between the Ciscaucasia and the Transcaucasus are sharply contrasting, and the spread of cold air from the Ciscaucasia to the Transcaucasia is very rapid. Cold winds of high, often catastrophic speeds are known as “bora” (in the Novorossiysk region) and “norda” (in the Baku region).

Air masses coming from the west and southwest from the Atlantic Ocean and the Mediterranean have the greatest impact on the western coast of Transcaucasia. When moving further to the east, they, overcoming the ridges located on their way, adiabatically heat up and dry out. Therefore, Eastern Transcaucasia is characterized by a relatively stable thermal regime and low precipitation.

The mountain structures of the Lesser Caucasus and the Javakheti-Armenian Highlands contribute to the formation of a local anticyclone in winter, causing a strong decrease in temperature. In summer, low pressure sets in over the highlands.

In the second half of summer, the Caucasus is influenced by the spur of the Azores barometric maximum, located within the Russian Plain between 50 and 45° N. w. It determines the decrease in cyclonic activity in summer. This is associated with a decrease in precipitation in the second half of summer (compared to the first). At this time, the importance of local convective precipitation, due to the daily variation of air temperatures, increases.

In the Caucasus, foehns, which are common in mountains with dissected relief, actively appear. They are associated with hot weather in spring and summer. Mountain-valley winds and breezes are also characteristic.

On the plains of Ciscaucasia and Transcaucasia, the average July temperature is 24--25 ° C, and its increase is observed to the east. The coldest month is January. In the Ciscaucasia the average January temperature is -4, -5° C, in the western Transcaucasia 4-5° C, in the eastern Transcaucasia 1-2° C. At an altitude of 2000 m, the temperature in July is 13°C, in January -7°C, in the highest zones - in July 1°C, in January from -18 to -25°C.

The annual amount of precipitation increases with elevation and at all levels decreases noticeably from west to east (most uniformly in high zones). In the Western Ciscaucasia the amount of precipitation is 450-500 mm, in the foothills and on the Stavropol Upland at an altitude of 600-700 m - up to 900 mm. In the east of the Ciscaucasia - 250-200 mm.

In the humid subtropics of Western Transcaucasia on the coastal plains, the annual precipitation reaches 2500 mm (in the Batumi region). Maximum in September. In the Sochi area 1400 mm, of which 600 mm falls in November - February. On the western slopes of the Greater and Lesser Caucasus, the amount of precipitation increases to 2500 mm, on the slopes of the Meskheti Range to 3000 mm, on the Kura-Araks Lowland it decreases to 200 mm. The Lenkoran Lowland and the eastern slopes of the Talysh Range are abundantly moistened, where 1500-1800 mm of precipitation falls.

2. Describe the climate of the Greater Caucasus, explain how the climate of the foothills differs from the high-mountain regions?

1. The climate of the Greater Caucasus is determined by its southern location, the proximity of the Black and Mediterranean seas, as well as significant heights of mountain ranges. The Greater Caucasus is a barrier to the movement of masses of moist warm air from the west. More precipitation falls on the southern slopes, the maximum amount is in the western part, where more than 2500 mm falls per year in the highlands (the most in our country). To the east, precipitation drops to 600 mm per year. The northern slope of the Greater Caucasus is generally drier than the southern one.

   In the Greater Caucasus Mountains, in a relatively small area, there is a wide range of climatic zones with pronounced zonation in altitude: humid subtropics of the Black Sea coast, continental dry (in the east to semi-desert) climate with hot summers and short but cold winter on the plains of the Ciscaucasia there is a moderate continental climate of the foothills with significant precipitation (especially in the western part) and snowy winters (in the Krasnaya Polyana area, on the watershed of the Bzyb and Chkhalta rivers, the snow cover reaches 5 m and even 8 m). In the area of ​​alpine meadows, the climate is cold and humid, winter lasts up to 7 months, average temperatures in August, the warmest month, range from 0 to +10C. Above is the so-called nival belt, where the average temperature of even the warmest month does not exceed 0. Precipitation here falls mainly in the form of snow or pellets (hail).

   Average January temperatures at the foot of the mountains are -5C in the north and from +3 to +6C in the south at an altitude of 2000 m -7-8C, at an altitude of 3000 m -12C, at an altitude of 4000 m -17C. Average July temperatures at the foot of the mountains in the west are +24C, in the east up to +29C at an altitude of 2000 m +14C, at an altitude of 3000 m +8C, at an altitude of 4000 m +2C.

   In the Greater Caucasus, the height of the snow line, rising from west to east, ranges from 2700 m to 3900 m above sea level. Its northern elevation is different for the northern and southern slopes. In the Western Caucasus these are 3010 and 2090 m, respectively, in the Central Caucasus - 3360 and 3560 m, in the Eastern Caucasus - 3700 and 3800 m. The total area of ​​modern glaciation in the Greater Caucasus is 1780 km. The number of glaciers is 2047, their tongues descend to absolute levels: 2300-2700 m (Western Caucasus), 1950-2400 m (Central Caucasus), 2400-3200 m (Eastern Caucasus). Most of the glaciation occurs on the northern side of the GKH. The distribution of the glaciation area is as follows: Western Caucasus - 282 and 163 sq. km Central Caucasus - 835 and 385 sq. km Eastern Caucasus - 114 and 1 sq. km respectively.

   Caucasian glaciers are distinguished by a variety of forms. Here you can see grandiose icefalls with seracs, ice grottoes, “tables”, “mills”, deep cracks. Glaciers carry out a large number of clastic material accumulating in the form of various moraines on the sides and at the tongue of glaciers.

1) What features of the nature of mountains do you know from the 7th grade geography course?

For mountains, the characteristic altitudinal zonation varies natural areas. In mountains, pressure and temperatures drop with altitude.

Questions in a paragraph

*Remember by what amount the air temperature decreases when rising for every 100 m. Calculate how much the air cools when rising to a height of 4000 m, if its temperature at the surface of the earth is +200C. What happens to the moisture in the air?

For every 100 m rise, the air temperature decreases by 0.60C. The temperature at an altitude of 4000 m will be -40C. The moisture in the air will begin to condense.

*Explain why there is no such thing in the mountains of the Eastern Caucasus snow avalanches.

Due to the dry climate, there is very little snow there.

*Think about the differences that will be observed in the change of altitudinal zones on the western and eastern slopes.

There are altitudinal zones of the Caucasus, belonging to two types of vertical zonation: continental and coastal (seaside). The second is represented in the mountains of the Western Caucasus, influenced by the Atlantic and humid sea air. In the east, there are slightly different altitudinal belts of the Caucasus, which are often called the continental, or Dagestan type of vertical zoning.

Questions at the end of the paragraph

1. Name the main features of the nature of the highlands and explain their reasons.

High rainfall, short warm season, dependence natural conditions from the height of the mountains and the exposure of the slopes, the distribution of glacial landforms, altitudinal zones.

2. Describe the climate of the Greater Caucasus, explain how the climate of the foothills differs from the high-mountain regions.

With the exception of the highlands, the climate in the North Caucasus is mild and warm; on the plains, the average July temperature everywhere exceeds 20°C, and summer lasts from 4.5 to 5.5 months. Average January temperatures range from -10 to +6°C, and winter lasts only two to three months. In the North Caucasus there is the city of Sochi, which has the warmest winter in Russia with a January temperature of +6.1°C. The climate of the highlands is very different from the plains and foothills. The first main difference is that much more precipitation falls in the mountains: at an altitude of 2000 m - 2500-2600 mm per year. The second difference in the climate of the highlands is the decrease in the duration of the warm season due to the decrease in air temperature with height. The third difference in the high-mountain climate is its amazing diversity from place to place due to the height of the mountains, slope exposure, proximity or distance from the sea. The fourth difference is the uniqueness of atmospheric circulation.

3. Using Figure 102, explain the features altitudinal zone Greater Caucasus.

There are altitudinal zones of the Caucasus, belonging to two types of vertical zonation: continental and coastal (seaside). The second is represented in the mountains of the Western Caucasus, influenced by the Atlantic and humid sea air. Let us list the main altitudinal zones from the foothills to the peaks:

1. Meadow steppes, interrupted by clumps of oak, hornbeam, ash (up to 100 m).

2. Forest belt.

3. Subalpine crooked forests and tall grass meadows (at an altitude of 2000 m).

4. Low-grass alpine meadows, rich in bluebells, cereals and umbrella plants.

5. Nival zone (at an altitude of 2800–3200 m).

The Caucasus cannot be classified as one climatic region. To the north of the axial belt of the Greater Caucasus there is a temperate climate, in Transcaucasia it is subtropical. Within them there are differences due to the nature of the relief, position in relation to air currents, position in relation to the Black and Caspian Seas, and local circulation.

The climate of the Caucasus changes in three directions:

from west to east - towards increasing continentality,

from north to south - towards increasing amounts of radiative heat

in the altitudinal direction - an increase in precipitation and a decrease in temperatures.

Cloudiness plays a special role - with its rise in the mountains and in the western regions of the Caucasus, due to its increase, the annual values ​​of solar radiation are less than average.

IN summer months The radiation balance in the Caucasus is close to tropical, local VMs are transformed into tropical ones.

Circulation: continental air of temperate latitudes dominates in the North Caucasus, subtropical air dominates in Transcaucasia. High mountain zones under the influence of western directions.

IN winter months the territory is located south of the “major axis”; Low pressure areas are forming over the Black Sea and the south of the Caspian Sea. The result is the outflow of dense cold masses of the “major axis” to the Caucasus. However, the mountain wall prevents penetration to the south; it is still possible to bypass the coasts of the seas - “Nords” and “Bora”. In the west, a lot of snow falls in the mountains. To the east, the influence of the southwestern transport weakens and the influence of the Asian anticyclone intensifies, and snowfall decreases. A local anticyclone forms over the Armenian Highlands in winter.

In summer time An area of ​​low pressure is formed over Asia. Western currents of sea air from temperate latitudes from the North Atlantic are intensifying, and they are capturing the Caucasus. They deposit precipitation on windward slopes. In the second half, the Azores high moves north and often covers the Caucasus.

The role of hair dryers, mountain-valley winds and breezes, and the formation of a center of low pressure over the Armenian Highlands are noticeable. Sea basins moderate the temperature.

In general, southern slopes are characterized by higher (summer and winter) temperatures. The annual amount of precipitation increases with elevation in the mountains and decreases at all levels from west to east.

The Caucasus is located on the border of the temperate and subtropical zones. The influx of solar radiation is so significant that a local center for the formation of tropical air masses is created in Transcaucasia in the summer. The border of the temperate and subtropical zones runs along the axial part of the Greater Caucasus. Radiation balance 2300 MJ/m2/year (west) - 1800 (east) MJ/m2/year.

In winter, continental air of temperate latitudes (kWUS) from the Voeikov axis spreads to the Ciscaucasia. The prevailing winds are easterly and northeasterly directions. Cold air entering the Ciscaucasia lingers on the northern slopes of the Greater Caucasus, not rising above 700-800 m. And only in the northwestern part of the Black Sea chain, where the height of the ridges is less than 1000 m, does the cold air cross them. Low pressure is established over the Black Sea in winter, so cold, heavy air rushes towards it at high speed, literally falling from the mountains. Strong cold winds arise, the so-called Novorossiysk bora. The air temperature during boron drops to -15...-20°C. Bora is observed in the Anapa-Tuapse section.

The upper parts of the mountains are in the zone of action of a free atmosphere, where the predominant role belongs to the winds of the western directions. In winter, western transport prevails at an altitude of more than 1.5-2 km, and in summer - 3.5-4 km.

The formation of climatic conditions during the cold period is greatly influenced by cyclonic activity developing on the Mediterranean branch of the polar front. The trajectories of Mediterranean cyclones are directed to the northeast of the Black Sea and cross the Caucasus in its western part. Their movement through the Caucasus leads to the advection of tropical air, which causes intense thaws, melting of snow cover, the occurrence of snow avalanches in the mountains and the formation of hair dryers on the northern slopes of the Greater Caucasus. With the development of hair dryers, the air temperature can rise to +15...+20°C. As the height of the mountains increases, the absolute maximum temperature in winter decreases and at Elbrus station it becomes negative (-2...-3°C).

Frequent advection of heat and the influence of the sea determine the positive average monthly air temperature on the Black Sea coast of the Caucasus. The average January temperature in Novorossiysk is +2°C, in Sochi +6.1°C. In the Ciscaucasia, the average air temperature is -1...-2°C in the western regions, dropping to -4...-4.5°C in the center and rising again towards the Caspian Sea to -2...0°C. In the mountains, the temperature decreases with height, reaching -12... -14°C in the highlands, in the area of ​​eternal snow and glaciers.

When cold air masses break through from the north, the temperature in the Ciscaucasia can drop to -30...-36°C. Even in Anapa the absolute minimum is -26°C, and in Sochi - -15°C.

The intensification of cyclonic activity in the cold season determines the winter maximum precipitation on the Black Sea coast of the Caucasus. In the rest of the territory, maximum precipitation occurs in summer.

In winter, snow cover is established on the plains and mountains of the Caucasus. It first appears on the plains with relatively warm winter only in the second half of December. In some winters, stable snow cover does not form. Snow often falls during cold spells and melts away during thaws. The thickness of the snow cover on the plains is 10-15 cm. On the southwestern slopes of the Greater Caucasus Mountains (Achishkho), due to the abundance of winter precipitation and a decrease in the frequency of winter thaws, the snow thickness reaches 3-4 m. In the mountains of the eastern part of the Caucasus it is reduced to 1 m (Myachkova N.A., 1983). The number of days with snow cover on the Stavropol Upland is 70-80, decreasing to the west and east of it to 50-40 and increasing in the mountains to 80-110 days due to a long cold period. On the lower border of the high mountain zone there is snow 120 days a year.

At this time, a high pressure area is formed on the Javakheti-Armenian Highlands. From here the cold continental air of Asia Minor (temperature -12°C) is carried out, penetrating into the middle part of the Rio-Kura corridor, but quickly transforming as it moves east. Colchis is filled with sea air masses of temperate latitudes, coming here with Mediterranean cyclones (t 4-6o). In winter, they constantly cross the Black Sea, where the pressure is low, and fall, as it were, into a trap between the ridges of the B. and M. Caucasus. The greatest amount of precipitation falls at the end of summer (August-September), as well as at the end of autumn - beginning of winter. In other regions of the Caucasus at this time there is no precipitation, with the exception of the Kura-Araks lowland. Here, autumn-winter precipitation and partly spring precipitation are associated with a branch of the Iranian polar front, along which cyclonic activity develops. It intensifies significantly on the slopes of Talysh and along the outskirts of this lowland.

In summer, the formation of the climate of the Caucasus is significantly influenced by the frequency of humid Atlantic air masses and dry continental air masses that form over the interior regions of Eurasia and arrive from the east. In this regard, the importance of the submeridional climate division (the transverse uplift of the Stavropol Upland - the Central Caucasus) is increasing. On the Black Sea coast of the Caucasus and in Western Ciscaucasia the air warms up to 22-23°C. In the highest parts of the Stavropol Upland and in the Mineralovodsk region, the average July temperature is 20-21°C. In the east of Ciscaucasia the air warms up to 24-25°C. In the mountains, the air temperature decreases with height, amounting to 10°C at an altitude of about 2500 m and 7°C at an altitude of 3000 m. At Elbrus station (altitude 4250 m), the average July temperature is only 1.4°C.

In the first half of summer, the influence of Atlantic cyclones, which determine the June maximum precipitation, intensifies in the Ciscaucasia region. Later, the transformation of air masses over the southeast of the Russian Plain increases, so already in mid-summer the amount of precipitation decreases, and conditions are often created for the formation of hot winds and droughts, the frequency of which increases in the east.

The annual amount of precipitation increases from the foothills to the mountains and up the slopes, but at the same time noticeably decreases when moving from west to east. In the Kuban-Azov lowland, the annual precipitation amount is 550-600 mm, in the Stavropol Upland it increases to 700-800 mm and decreases to 500-350 mm in the Eastern Ciscaucasia. On the Black Sea coast, the amount of precipitation increases rapidly from north to south (from 700 mm northwest of Novorossiysk to 1650 mm in the Sochi region). In the highlands of the western part of the Greater Caucasus, 2000-3000 mm of precipitation falls, and in the eastern part - only 1000-1500 mm. The amount of precipitation also decreases in the depression between the Skalisty and Bokovoy ridges, especially in the “shadow” of the Skalisty Range, amounting to 650-700 mm. The highest annual precipitation is observed on the windward southwestern slopes of the Greater Caucasus. At Achishkho station it is over 3700 mm per year. This is the highest amount of precipitation not only in the Caucasus, but throughout Russia.

Average annual precipitation: Colchis, the southern slope of the Western Caucasus - 1.5-2 thousand mm, Western and Middle Ciscaucasia 450-600 mm, Eastern Ciscaucasia, Terek-Kuma Lowland - 200-350 mm, Kura-Araks Lowland - 200-300 mm, Javakheti-Armenian Highlands 450-600 mm, Lenkoran Lowland - 1200 mm. The warmest summer is in the Kura-Araks Lowland (26-28°C), in the rest of the territory 23-25°C, in the Javakheti-Armenian Highlands 18°C. However, temperature and precipitation are subject to change depending on the height of the mountains, forming altitudinal climatic zonation. Thus, the average annual temperature on the Black Sea coast is 12-14°С, in the foothills of the Caucasus it is 7-8°С, at an altitude of 2-3 thousand m -3-0°С. In summer, despite the increase in solar radiation with height, the temperature drops by an average of 0.5-0.6°C every 100 m, and in winter by 0.3-0.4°C. When climbing the mountains, the average annual positive temperature remains only up to an altitude of 2300-2500 m. On Elbrus it is -10°C. Similar patterns persist for average monthly air temperatures. Thus, the average January temperature in the Ciscaucasia is -2-7°C, in the midlands and highlands - from -8 to -13°C; on Elbrus -19°C; in Novorossiysk 3°C, Sochi 5°C. In July, the temperature is 23-25°C everywhere, at an altitude of 2-2.5 thousand m -18°C, 4000 m -2°С.

Quantity atmospheric precipitation also changes with altitude. If in the north-eastern Ciscaucasia their precipitation is less than 300 m, further to the west 300-400 mm, and in the Western Ciscaucasia 400-500 mm, then in the low-mountain regions of Stavropol - Nalchik 500-800 mm, at the latitude and altitude of Vladikavkaz - 800-1000 m (1.5 thousand

Climate of the Caucasus

m), at an altitude of 2 thousand m on average 1000-1500 mm; higher the amount of precipitation decreases: Terskol - (3050 m) - 930 mm.

The height of the snow line is 2800-3000 m, in the western part - 3200-3500 m, in the eastern part of the Greater and Lesser Caucasus, glaciation is negligible - 3 square meters. km. On B.K. - 1420 km2, their total number is 2200. Of these, 70% is located on the northern slope, 30% on the southern slope. Types of glaciers - mountain-valley (20% of the area), cirque and hanging. The centers of glaciation are Elbrus, Kazbek, and other peaks of the central Caucasus in M.K. - Aragats, Zangezur Range, Javakheti Range. All glaciers are in the stage of retreat (10-20 m/year).

The climate and relief features of the Caucasus determine its modern glaciation. Within Russia in the Caucasus, there are 1,498 glaciers with a total glaciation area of ​​993.6 km2, which is 70% total number glaciers and glaciated area of ​​the Greater Caucasus. The sharp predominance of glaciers on the northern slope is due to orographic features and snowstorm transport of snow westerly winds beyond the barrier of the Watershed Range and slightly less insolation than on the southern slope. The snow line lies at altitudes of 2800-3200 m in the western part of the Caucasus and rises to 3600-4000 m in the east.

The greatest glaciation is concentrated in the Central Caucasus. The largest massif of modern glaciation is the Elbrus glacier complex (area 122.6 km2). The double-headed Elbrus is covered with a firn-ice cap with a diameter of about 10 km, which feeds over 50 glacial streams radiating from it. The largest complex valley glacier in the Caucasus is the Bezengi glacier (length 17.6 km, area 36.2 km2), located at the foot of the Bezengi wall and feeding the Cherek-Bezengi river. It is followed by the Dykh-Su glaciers (length 13.3 km, area 34.0 km2) and Karaugom (length 13.3 km, area 26.6 km2).

In the Western Caucasus, due to the low altitude of the mountains, there is little glaciation. Its largest areas are concentrated in the Kuban basin near the highest mountain peaks - Dombay-Ulgen, Pshish, etc. Glaciation of the Eastern Caucasus due to the great dryness of the climate is less significant and is represented mainly by small glaciers - cirques, hanging, cirque-valley.

The total area of ​​glaciers is 1965 km2. Glaciation reaches its greatest development between Elbrus and Kazbek, from here it gradually decreases to the west and sharply to the east. The most common are cairns and hanging ones. 20% are valley glaciers. Everyone is regressing.

Climate of the North Caucasus

Climate graph

JanuaryFebruaryMarchAprilMayJuneJulyAugustSeptemberOctoberNovemberDecember

Average temperature (°C)	-3.7	-2.9	1.2	9.4	15.7	20	22.2	21.6	16.2	9.6	3.5	-0.6
minimum temperature (°C)	-6.8	-6	-2.5	4.5	10.3	14.4	16.4	15.6	10.4	4.8	0.3	-3.3
maximum temperature (°C)	-0.6	0.3	4.9	14.3	21.2	25.7	28.1	27.6	22	14.4	6.7	2.2
Average Temperature (°F)	25.3	26.8	34.2	48.9	60.3	68.0	72.0	70.9	61.2	49.3	38.3	30.9
minimum temperature (°F)	19.8	21.2	27.5	40.1	50.5	57.9	61.5	60.1	50.7	40.6	32.5	26.1
maximum temperature (°F)	30.9	32.5	40.8	57.7	70.2	78.3	82.6	81.7	71.6	57.9	44.1	36.0
Precipitation rate (mm)	33	31	26	33	43	53	55	38	38	28	35	38

The difference in precipitation between the driest and wettest months is 29 mm. Temperature change throughout the year is 25.9 °C. Useful tips About reading the climate table: For each month, you will find data on precipitation (mm), average, maximum and minimum temperature(in degrees Celsius and Fahrenheit). First line value: (1) January (2) February (3) March (4) April (5) May, (6) June (7) July (8) August (9) September, (10) October (11) November (12) December.

Winter holidays in the Caucasus

The North Caucasus is a place where you can come in any season and enjoy various types recreation. Mountains, sea, mineral springs, lakes and waterfalls - this is what the Caucasus can please a tourist with. Winter and New Year's holidays in this part of Russia have a special flavor. Moreover, winter in the Caucasus is mild and pleasant, and it is rarely very frosty and windy.

Ski holidays in the Caucasus

Winter - best time for skiers. And holidays in the Caucasus at this time are one of the best active holidays in Russia. The North Caucasus gives you the opportunity to choose slopes to suit every taste: a fashionable holiday in Krasnaya Polyana or a slightly more modest, but surrounded by beautiful scenery, skiing in the Elbrus region or in Dombay. In addition to alpine skiing, you can ride snowmobiles or cross-country skis, or go horseback riding.

In the Sochi region, where excellent infrastructure has been built for the Winter Olympics, vacationers have access to not only mountain slopes, but also numerous entertainment, skating rinks and cinemas, clubs and restaurants. There are no problems with accommodation: you can book a hotel room, you can rent an apartment or a room from local residents. The only problem is the high cost and exceptional popularity of the Sochi ski slopes. If you want to spend the New Year holidays in this part of Russia, then you need to organize your vacation, especially booking a hotel, in mid-autumn.

In the Elbrus region, as in Dombay, there is little entertainment besides direct skiing from the mountains. There are plenty of hotels here, but they are all small and private, so you also need to book them very well in advance, and you shouldn’t expect exceptional service.

By the way, you can relax in the Caucasus Mountains in winter, but without skiing: just stay in an alpine camp or in one of several high-mountain hotels and contemplate the stunning views. Such a vacation will be life-saving for those who are tired of the constant flow of information and need solitude and the opportunity to reflect.

New Year's holidays are fun at the ski resorts of the Caucasus thanks to entertainment programs. Meet New Year on the mountain or on the slope means an unforgettable experience of a lifetime. But there is one caveat: prices for hotels, food and entertainment here soar by the end of December and remain very high throughout January.

Healthy winter holidays in the Caucasus

Caucasian Mineral water, perhaps the best place in the European part of Russia, where you can spend the New Year holidays with maximum health benefits. Numerous resorts provide the full range of their usual services, while each of them tries to provide a good entertainment program for the entire weekend. A calm and leisurely holiday in the health resorts of the Caucasus may seem boring, but in winter the healing effect is complemented by magnificent winter landscapes and crystal clear air.

Living in Kislovodsk or Pyatigorsk gives you the opportunity to plunge into interesting story these cities, visit on a tour places associated with the names of great Russian writers and public figures.

A wellness holiday in the Caucasus is a wonderful option for winter family vacation in Russia.

Hiking and car tours in the Caucasus

The Caucasus is replete with hiking trails, and they are accessible all year round. As a rule, simple trekking routes are built so that people walking along them can see maximum beauty with minimal effort. There are such trails both in cities and in remote mountainous areas, so each tourist will choose a route based on the capabilities of his body. For example, you can leisurely spend a whole day in Kislovodsk, walking in the famous Resort Park on the mountain, which offers an amazing view of Elbrus.

Tours to the Chegem waterfalls in Kabardino-Balkaria are extremely popular in winter. The legendary waterfalls of the Chegem Gorge fascinate with their beauty at any time of the year, but in winter they are especially impressive. Frozen water forms ice pillars that look more like giant candles. Excursions to the mountain lakes of Karachay-Cherkessia and Kabardino-Balkaria are also very popular among tourists. However, it is advisable to travel to mountain beauty accompanied by experienced guides.

Combined tours

For lovers active rest Combined tours around the North Caucasus are suitable; they are offered by many travel agencies. Typically, these tours include visits to major cities and a short trip to attractions in the mountains. So, you can visit important historical and cultural places of Kislovodsk and “visit” Elbrus in 6–7 days. The bravest ones can include climbing Elbrus in their tour.

Horseback riding tours are very popular; they are organized in almost every Caucasian republic of Russia. Also interesting are safari tours, during which you can visit several most beautiful places. This is the best New Year's holiday for collectors of impressions who want to see as many unique corners of the Caucasus as possible at one time.