Articles | Volume 30, issue 6
https://doi.org/10.5194/hess-30-1691-2026
https://doi.org/10.5194/hess-30-1691-2026
Research article
 | 
30 Mar 2026
Research article |  | 30 Mar 2026

How montane forests shape snow cover dynamics across the central European Alps

Vincent Haagmans, Giulia Mazzotti, Clare Webster, and Tobias Jonas

Model code and software

FSM2oshd (v1.1.2) R. Mott et al. https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.18738194

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Short summary
In the Central European Alps, forests store about 20–30 % of midwinter snow. The effect of forests on snow cover varies greatly with topography, forest structure, weather, and regions. Forests usually decrease snow accumulation and decelerate melt, often leading to a later snow disappearance, especially on sunny slopes. But annual variations are considerable and can even reverse such effects. Environmental shifts will further complicate snow cover dynamics in these mountain forests.
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