Peculiarities of the Influence of Vitebsk's Relief on Climatic Parameters

Abstract

The purpose is to consider the peculiarities of the mesoclimatic conditions of the area of Vitebsk, to assess the role of the relief in its formation. Materials and methods: To achieve this purpose, a base vector map and a digital relief model of the city area were built. The main climate-forming factors (exposure and steepness of slopes, mesorelief forms, type of development, presence or absence of streams and reservoirs, arrays of tree and shrub vegetation) were assessed. Results: a geotopological analysis of the urban area was carried out. The types of locations were identified, within which the features of the relief determine a special temperature and wind regime, form clear differences in climatic parameters in comparison with the surrounding areas. A base map of the locations of the city's relief surfaces was created for calculating mesoclimatic deviations within them, and on its basis a schematic map of the mesoclimatic conditions of Vitebsk was built; these conditions are characterised. Conclusions: Based on the conjugate analysis of the relief and meteorological conditions, seven variants of the mesoclimate were established for the city. Moreover, four of them are represented very limitedly. In most of the area of Vitebsk, occupied by leveled elevated surfaces, the conditions are close to zonal (outside the city) with deviations due to the influence of the "heat island". Special mesoclimatic conditions are formed in depressions and large valleys, which is manifested in a decrease in wind speeds, a smoother course of average temperatures and an increase in extreme temperatures.