European snow dynamics and changing patterns under climate variability

Snow plays a crucial role in Europe’s hydrological cycle, influencing water availability, river runoff, and seasonal storage in mountain and northern regions that support both national and transboundary water systems. This study examines key snow-related processes including snowfall, snow cover fraction, and snow water equivalent across Europe. Stochastic approaches are applied to quantify long-term persistence characteristics in snow and hydrological processes. Synthetic scenarios are further generated to assess potential responses of snow under regional warming. The results are expected to provide insights into European snow dynamics and their role in shaping seasonal streamflow and water availability. This study offers a Europe- wide stochastic perspective on cryosphere–hydrosphere interactions under climate variability, where changes in snow storage and melt dynamics can affect hydropower production, agricultural water demand, and drinking water supply.