Abstract: Based on the observed monthly snow cover days and homogenized air temperature data in 1951-2004, this study performs the quantitative analysis of the air temperature sensitivity of snow cover days on the Qinghai-Tibetan Plateau. Results show that both the extreme sensitivity and sensitivity under the current climate are higher in the edge than in the central area of the plateau. There exists a strong negative correlation between the critical air temperatures when the relative snow cover days reach the extrema and the elevation of the station. However, the relationship between the extreme sensitivity and the elevation is not as strong as the correlation between the critical air temperature and the elevation although they present certain negative relationship. Currently, the climatological air temperatures at quite a few of stations do not reach the critical situation, with a proportion to all stations of 36%, 39%, 47%, and 11% in autumn, winter, spring, and summer, respectively. Under the current background of climate warming, the sensitivity of snow cover days at these stations will become greater; that is, snow cover days there will be more sensitive to air temperature.

Key words: snow cover, Qinghai-Tibetan Plateau, climate change, sensitivity