Abstract ID: 3.10870 | Not reviewed | Requested as: Talk | TBA | TBA

Cold deserts, characterized by rugged terrain and extreme temperatures, often lack proper on-ground meteorological stations. As a result, climate studies in these regions predominantly rely on satellite data, which frequently overestimate actual conditions on the ground. However, satellite obtained climate data models must be validated against ground-based observations to ensure accuracy and reliability. This study utilizes long-term meteorological data of approximately 30 years, from an on-ground station in the Indian cold desert, with high accuracy and reliability, to analyze significant climatic trends. The results indicate a rise in temperature, a decline in snowfall, and erratic rainfall patterns. Through time series analysis of climatic parameters such as temperature, wind speed, and snowfall, this study examines whether residents’ observed climate changes align with the actual climate trends. Moreover, the procurement of authentic ground-based data is expensive and often unavailable, posing a significant challenge for climate research in cold desert regions. This underscores the need for reliable field data to validate climate models and assess if they accurately reflect real-life conditions in these vulnerable regions. The findings emphasize the need for improved climate models that integrate climate drivers to ensure accurate climate projections for these extreme condition areas.