Variability of the Cloud Base Height over the Territory of Western Siberia Based on Laser Sounding Data for the Period 2010–2021

Laser sensing data are used to analyze the variations in the base height of low-level clouds and cumulonimbus clouds in Western Siberia for 2010–2021. It is found that, on the whole, the base height of lower clouds decreases and the base height of cumulonimbus clouds increases. The base height of lower clouds increases from north toward south. The distribution of the height of cumulonimbus clouds seems to be more meridional in character. The seasonal behavior of the base height of lower and cumulonimbus clouds in the south of the territory shows a maximum in summer months. In the center and north there are two maxima: in summer and spring for lower clouds and in winter and summer for cumulonimbus clouds. The cluster analysis showed that the base heights of cumulonimbus clouds, measured at diverse stations, strongly differ. Presumably, this is due to different characters of the underlying surface, as well as to regional features of atmospheric circulation and convective processes.