The changing climate of Kielce: insights from extended meteorological analyses

The study examined air temperature and monthly precipitation totals recorded between 1966 and 2023 at the hydrological and meteorological station of the Institute of Meteorology and Water Management (IMWM) in Kielce-Suków and the Copernicus Climate Change Service Climate Data Store (CDS). Based on these data, thermal and precipitation classifications were developed, supplemented by an extended assessment of snow cover duration in the Kielce region. The results confirm a clear warming trend, reflected in an increasing number of warmer-than-average months and a decline in colder ones. The mean annual temperature has risen by approximately 0.03°C per year (0.33°C per decade), amounting to 1.62°C over the entire study period. Projections suggest an additional increase of approximately 1°C by 2030. Snow cover conditions exhibited substantial variability. The mean number of days with snow cover (≥1 cm) was 63, ranging from 7 days in 2020 to 114 days in 1969, indicating a decline in recent decades. Average winter snow depth (December–March) was 4.84 cm, with extreme values recorded in 2020 (0.07 cm) and 1970 (23.4 cm). Maximum annual snow depth varied between 4 cm (2020) and 55 cm (1970). The mean duration of persistent snow cover (≥30 days) was 45 days, with a maximum of 88 days in 2006. Precipitation patterns did not show a consistent long-term trend comparable to temperature. While summer months (June–August) still receive the highest totals, their temporal distribution is shifting. Some months (e.g., July, September) exhibit decreasing precipitation, whereas others (e.g., August, December) show increasing or no clear tendencies. The observed annual and seasonal variability is likely to intensify under ongoing climate change. These findings underscore important implications for local ecosystems, agriculture, and water resource management, highlighting the need for adaptive strategies in the Świętokrzyskie region.