The climate of the Russian Plain is very peculiar, because a variety of factors influence its formation. To better understand the main climatic features of this region, first of all, it is necessary to consider in detail its geographical location and topography.

Geographical position

The Russian or East European Plain is located in the east of Europe.

On its vast lands are such countries:

• Russia;
• Kazakhstan;
• Estonia;
• Lithuania;
• Latvia;
• Bulgaria;
• Romania;
• Finland;
• Ukraine;
• Moldova;
• Poland.

The total area is about 4 million km2. This is the largest plain on the Eurasian continent. The total length from north to south is 2.5 thousand km, and from west to east - over 1 thousand km.

In size, this territory is second only to the Amazonian lowland in South America. The average height above sea level is 170 m, and the maximum reaches 479 m on the Bugulma-Belebeevskaya Upland in the Cis-Urals. The lowest elevations are observed on the Caspian coast, where they are only 27.6 m.

In the northwest, the borders of the flat terrain are guarded by the Scandinavian mountains. In the north, the plain is washed by the White and Barents Seas. In the west and southwest, it peacefully adjoins the mountains of Central Europe and the Carpathians, and in the south and southeast - with the mountain ranges of the Caucasus. The natural eastern border is the Urals.

Terrain and climate

The entire territory is dominated by gently undulating or hilly terrain.

The largest hills are:

• Bugulminsko-Belebeevskaya;
• Central Russian;
• Valdai;
• Stavropolskaya and others.

Among the lowlands, the most prominent are the Caspian, Black Sea, Dnieper, Oka-Donskaya. The spelling is not uniform. It clearly shows the central, northern and southern stripes.

The maximum height of the Central Russian Upland is 305 m, and the Bugulma-Belebeevskaya - 479 m. The lowest areas are concentrated in the south near the Caspian Sea. In the central part, various forms of relief are observed, since here the folded foundation of the ancient platform protrudes to the surface, forming various hills, plateaus and ridges.

The hilly relief is largely due to the peculiarities of the geological structure. The tectonic structure is mainly confined to the Russian platform with an ancient Precambrian basement. The southern part is located on the northern margin of the Scythian plate with a Paleozoic folded base. The estimated age of the Lower Proterozoic layer is 2550-1600 Ma.

Almost all folding processes are of deep tectonic origin. The uneven relief of the Precambrian basement includes Phanerozoic sedimentary rocks. Glaciation had a significant impact on the formation of the relief.

After the passage of the glacier, many lakes were formed, among which the most famous are:

• White;
• Pskov;
• Chudskoye and others.

Numerous deep bays of the Kola Peninsula also have a glacial origin.

Due to the peculiarities of the relief and the complete absence of active volcanoes on the flat terrain, strong earthquakes are completely excluded, however, such dangerous natural phenomena as floods and tornadoes are possible.

The climate is temperate continental with distinct cold and warm seasons. Unlike the Central Siberian Plateau and the entire West Siberian region, the climatic conditions in the Eastern European part of Russia are less severe. Milder winters are due to the features of the relief and the special geographical location.

Average summer temperatures range from + 8 °С in the far north to +24 °С in the Caspian lowland. The lowest winter rates are observed in northern and eastern latitudes. There they can sometimes reach below -25 °C. In the western and southern regions, winters are often milder with an average January temperature of about -4 °C.

Snow cover is everywhere. If in the south the duration of snow occurrence is on average 60 days, then in the colder northern regions it increases by about 3-4 times.

The distribution of precipitation is uneven. Heavy rains and fogs are most characteristic of the northwestern part. The southern and southeastern regions are more prone to spring, summer and autumn droughts. Rainy and cloudy weather is mainly set in the autumn-winter period. The maximum amount of summer precipitation in the south falls in June, and in the middle lane - in July.

Water resources and climate impact

The lake-river system is very developed. Due to the peculiarities of the relief, flat rivers with a mixed or snow type of food predominantly dominate. Many lakes are of glacial origin, especially in Karelia, Finland and the Kola Peninsula. Most of the Eastern European reservoirs are characterized by spring floods, the main reason for which is the intensive melting of the snow cover.

Almost all river arteries belong to the basins of two large oceans: the Arctic and the Atlantic. In addition, there is also an internal drain belonging to the Caspian Sea.

The largest rivers are:

• Volga;
• Pechora;
• Ural;
• Dnieper;
• Western and Northern Dvina;
• Kama;
• Vyatka.

The main watershed passes through the Valdai and Lithuanian-Belarusian uplands.

Among the lakes, the most distinguished by their size are:

• Ladoga;
• Onega;
• Ilmenskoye;
• Chudskoye;
• Pskov.

Most of the lake basins are located in the northwest. Groundwater is distributed evenly throughout the territory. In the northern regions of the tundra and forest-tundra, there are many swamps.

The abundance of water resources has a significant impact on the formation of the local climate. Evaporation from the surface of open water bodies not only significantly humidifies the air, but also largely contributes to the cooling of warm air masses in the hot summer months.

Weather

Depending on the time of year, the weather regime differs markedly. To a greater extent, it is under the influence of Atlantic cyclones, which annually bring both sharp cooling and sudden warming.

In winter, winds from the Atlantic usually set warm weather, while in summer, on the contrary, they saturate the air with coolness. Cyclones from the southwestern Arctic also have a great influence on the weather. They almost always contribute to a sharp decrease in air temperature.

Winter

Within the entire Eastern European region, a temperate continental climate prevails, so winters here are quite cold and snowy. Heavy snowfalls and 30-degree frosts are typical, sometimes replaced by a sudden thaw down to -5 ˚С. Precipitation falls mainly in the form of snow. The depth of cover in the northern and eastern regions reaches 60-70 cm, and in the south it usually does not exceed 10-20 cm.

In the northern regions, the winter season is longer and more severe, since the predominantly subarctic climatic zone dominates here. The average January temperature is at least -20 ˚С.

Spring

The spring months are usually a transitional time of the year when daylight hours gradually increase and temperatures begin to rise. Humidity drops to 70-80% as the snow cover slowly breaks down. The soil is thawing, flora and fauna are awakening.

Since the end of April, the weather has been consistently warm, but with the advent of anticyclones, frosts and cold snaps are possible. In the northern regions, spring is usually colder and longer than in the central and southern regions. This time of year is also characterized by intermittent rains and thunderstorms.

Summer

The calendar summer begins on June 1, when stable sunny weather is established almost everywhere with temperatures above +10 ˚С. The main characteristic feature of the summer season is the predominance of sufficiently warm and comfortable weather, which largely contributes to the active growth of plants and the general revival of nature.

The average monthly temperatures in July are about +20 ˚С, but in the far north they are much lower. Thus, the distribution of heat is uneven, but in accordance with the geographical latitude.

Autumn

With the advent of autumn, the air temperature gradually begins to drop. If in September in the central regions it averages at least +16 °C, then by the end of November the air in some areas warms up to only +2 °C.

This time of year is characterized by frequent drizzling rains, sometimes accompanied by strong chilly winds. Due to the high humidity, fog often forms in the mornings. Daylight hours are getting shorter. At the end of November, many reservoirs are covered with ice, and a stable snow cover begins to form on the soil.

Minerals

Due to the special geological structure, the mineral resources of the Eastern European region are characterized by great diversity.

A short list of the largest deposits:

• Iron ore - Mikhailovskoye, Lebedinskoye, Stoilenskoye, Gubkinskoye;
• Hard coal - Pechora basin;
• Potassium-rock salts - Verkhnekamsk and Iletsk basins.

There are significant oil and gas deposits in the Caspian lowland and the Volga-Ural region. In addition, such popular building materials as gravel, clay, sand and limestone have become widespread.

Flora and fauna

Due to the well-defined latitudinal zonality and various natural conditions, the most diverse representatives of flora and fauna are found on the territory of the Eastern European region. In the table you can see the most common ecosystems.

Name of the natural area	Geographical position	Flora	Fauna
Tundra	North of the Kola Peninsula	Moss, cloudberry, blueberry, cranberry, sedge, cotton grass, lichen, polar poppy, dwarf willow, birch	Foxes, wolves, martens, minks, beavers, muskrats, harp seals, white and tundra partridges
Taiga	Northwest Russia	Balsam and white fir, black and gray spruce, banksa pine, virginian juniper, larch, white poplar	Arctic hares, snowy owls, bald eagles, white geese, chipmunks, brown bears, stoats
mixed forests	North and east of Belarus, Meshcherskaya lowland	Rowan, viburnum, elm, linden, spruce, pine, oak, hawthorn, maple, alder, willow, ash	Hares, foxes, wolves, beavers, otters, forest squirrels, badgers, black ferrets, hazel grouses, nightingales, bullfinches
broadleaf forests	Masovian-Podlaskie Lowland	Oak, small-leaved linden, wild maple, wild apple, pear, elm, ash, beech	Roe deer, wild boars, hedgehogs, spotted and red deer, fallow deer, elk, nutria, moles, shrews
Forest-steppe	Oka-Don and Tambov lowlands	Birch, hornbeam, aspen, bluegrass meadow, real bedstraw	Squirrels, hares, roe deer, martens, woodchucks, hamsters, lizards, black grouse
Steppes and semi-deserts	Caspian, Kuban and Black Sea lowlands	Cereals, feather grass, kipets	Jerboas, ground squirrels, voles, bustards, larks, hamsters

The most impressive area is the forest zone. It occupies a vast area in the central and southern parts. Steppe and semi-desert territories are located only in the extreme south and east.

Test

1. What natural areas are most characteristic of Eastern Europe?

• Tropical deserts and semi-deserts
• Tundra, taiga, mixed, coniferous and broad-leaved forests
• Savannahs and variable rainforests.

Answer: Tundra, taiga, mixed, coniferous and broad-leaved forests

2. What climate prevails in the Eastern European region?

• temperate continental
• Tropical
• Equatorial.

Answer: temperate continental

3. What is the largest flat area on the mainland of Eurasia?

• Eastern European;
• West Siberian;
• Central Yakutsk.

Answer: East European

4. What is the maximum height of the Bugulma-Belebeevskaya Upland.

• 694 m;
• 479 m;
• 257 m

Answer: 479 m. you will find the answer in the link.

Video

From this video you can learn about the various natural features of the Eastern European region.

The climate of the Russian Plain is decisively influenced by two circumstances: the geographical position and the flat relief.

The Russian Plain, more than any other part of the USSR, is under the influence of the Atlantic Ocean and its warm Gulf Stream. Marine polar air, which is formed over the Atlantic, enters the Russian Plain still little transformed. Its properties largely determine the main features of the climate of the Russian Plain. The air is humid, relatively warm in winter and cool in summer. That is why the Russian Plain is better moistened than the more eastern regions of the USSR, the winter on it is not severe, and the summer is hot.

The plain does not know East Siberian frosts; the average January temperature in its coldest place - in the northeast - is close to -20 °, and in the west it is only -5.-4 °. The average July temperature in most of the plain is below 20°C and rises to 25°C only in the southeast.

The sharp increase in the continentality of the climate in the eastern, southeastern third of the Russian Plain is due to the rapid drop in the frequency of polar sea air here, which loses its properties when moving east. In January, the frequency of sea polar air in the region of Leningrad and Western Ukraine is 12 days, while near Stalingrad and Ufa it decreases to three days; in July, polar sea air in the Baltics is observed for 12 days, and in Rostov and Kuibyshev only one day (Fedorov and Baranov, 1949). In the southeast of the Russian Plain, the role of continental air is increasing; for example, in January the frequency of continental polar air in the southeast is 24 days, while in the northwest it is only 12 days.

The flat relief creates favorable conditions for the free exchange of air masses in remote areas. Arctic air from time to time in the form of cold waves breaks through to the southern borders of the Russian Plain, and in summer, in July, continental tropical air on some days moves north to the Arkhangelsk region. The Ural Range does not serve as an obstacle to the penetration of continental polar air of Siberian origin into the Russian Plain. Close contact and interpenetration of qualitatively different air masses causes instability on the Russian Plain of climatic phenomena, frequent change of one type of weather by another. How sharp a change in the weather is due to a change in air masses can be judged by the following example. On December 27, 1932, in Kazan, with arctic air, very frosty weather was observed, with air temperatures down to -40 °, in the morning of the next day, when the arctic air was pushed aside by polar air, a sharp warming set in, and the air temperature rose to 0 ° (Khromov, 1937) .

The same factor - the flat terrain and the absence of mountain obstacles in the west - makes the Russian Plain easily accessible for cyclones to penetrate its territory. Cyclones from the Arctic and Polar fronts come here from the Atlantic Ocean. The frequency and activity of western cyclones on the Russian Plain decreases sharply when moving to the east, which is especially noticeable in the Cis-Urals, east of 50° E. e. In the east of the plain, due to the increase in the continentality of the climate, the contrasts between the main air masses in winter and summer are smoothed out, the frontal zones are eroded, which creates unfavorable conditions for cyclonic activity.

Despite the generally uniform relief of the Russian Plain, there are still uplands and lowlands on it, which cause, although not sharp, but quite noticeable differentiation of climatic conditions. Summers are cooler in the uplands than in the lowlands; the western slopes of the uplands receive more precipitation than the eastern slopes and the lowlands shaded by them. In summer, on the uplands of the southern half of the Russian Plain, the frequency of rainy weather types almost doubles, while the frequency of dry weather types decreases at the same time.

The great length of the Russian Plain from north to south causes sharp climatic differences between its northern and southern parts. These climatic differences are so significant that one should speak of the existence of two climatic regions on the Russian Plain - northern and southern.

Northern climatic region It is located to the north of the band of high atmospheric pressure (Voyeikov axis) and therefore is characterized by the predominance of humid western winds throughout the year. The prevailing western transport of air masses in the region is intensified due to the frequent recurrence of cyclones of the Arctic and Polar fronts. Most often cyclones are observed between 55-60° N. sh. This band with increased cyclonic activity is the most humid part of the Russian Plain: the annual amount of precipitation in its west reaches 600-700 mm, in the east 500-600 mm.

In the formation of the climate of the Northern region, in addition to the polar air, a very important role is played by the arctic air, which is gradually transformed when moving south. Occasionally, at the height of summer, strongly heated tropical air comes in from the south.

In some years, in the south of the region, during anticyclonic weather, local continental tropical air can form due to the transformation of polar air. Such a case of transformation of polar air into tropical air was noted, for example, in 1936 near Moscow.

Winter in this climatic region, with the exception of the southwest, is cold and snowy. In the northeast, its average temperature in January is -15, -20 °, snow cover 70 cm high lies up to 220 days a year. Winters are much milder in the south-west of the region: the average January temperature does not fall below -10 ° here, the duration of the snow cover is reduced to 3-4 months a year, and its average long-term height drops to 30 cm or less.

Summer throughout the region is cool or even cold. The average temperature of the warmest month - July - in the south does not reach 20°, and in the north, on the coast of the Barents Sea, it is only 10°. The heat balance of the climatic region is characterized by high heat costs for the evaporation of moisture. In the Polyarny, on the Murmansk coast, the radiation balance is 7 kcal / cm 2, and the annual heat consumption for evaporation is 5 kcal / cm 2. The corresponding figures for Leningrad are 23 and 18 kcal/cm2.

Low air temperatures with a significant amount of precipitation cause high cloudiness in the north of the Russian Plain in summer. The frequency of overcast skies in July on the coast of the Barents Sea reaches 70%, in the south of the region about 45%. The relative humidity of the air is also high: in May at 1 pm, even in the south of the region, it does not fall below 50%, and on the coast of the Barents Sea it exceeds 70%. .

More precipitation falls in the Northern Region than can be evaporated under given temperature conditions. This circumstance is of great landscape-forming importance, since the nature of vegetation and the direction of soil and geomorphological processes are connected with the balance of moisture.

In the south of the Northern climatic region, the moisture balance approaches neutral (atmospheric precipitation is equal to the evaporation rate). The change in the moisture balance from positive to negative means an important climatic boundary separating the Northern and Southern climatic regions of the Russian Plain.

The territory of the Northern region belongs to the arctic, subarctic and temperate climatic zones. The Arctic and subarctic belts with tundra and forest-tundra climate types cover the islands of the Arctic and the continental coast of the Barents Sea. The temperate zone is represented by two types of climate - taiga and mixed forests. Their characteristics are given in the description of the physiographic zones and regions of the Russian Plain.

Southern climatic region lies in the band of high atmospheric pressure (Voyeikov axis) and to the south of it. The direction of the wind on its territory is not constant, the westerly winds prevailing in summer are replaced by cold and dry easterly winds in the southeast in winter. Cyclonic activity and the western transport associated with it in the south of the Russian Plain are weakening. Instead, the frequency of anticyclones of Siberian origin in winter and Azores in summer increases. Under the conditions of stable anticyclones, the processes of transformation of air masses intensify, as a result of which humid western air is quickly transformed into continental air.

In summer, the processes of transformation of polar air in the southern region end with the formation of continental tropical air. From the side of the Mediterranean, the sea tropical air enters, always to some extent already transformed. The frequent recurrence of tropical air in summer sharply distinguishes this climatic region of the Russian Plain from the Northern one, where tropical air is observed only as a rare exception. time become a cyclone-forming area. However, the cyclones that originate here are not very active and do not produce a large amount of precipitation, which is explained by the absence of sharp contrasts between the continental tropical and continental polar air, as well as the low humidity of these air masses.

Atmospheric precipitation in the southern region falls 500-300 mm per year, i.e. less than in the northern; their number rapidly decreases in the southeast direction, where moist western air hardly penetrates.

Winter is shorter and somewhat warmer than in the north of the Russian Plain. The snow cover is thin and lies for a short time - 2-3 months in the southwest, 4-5 months in the northeast of the climatic region. Thaws and black ice are often observed, which adversely affects the overwintering of crops and hinders the work of transport.

Summers are long and warm, and hot in the southeast; the average July temperature is 20-25°. With a high frequency of anticyclones, cloudiness is not great in summer, very often it is sunny with cumulus clouds in the middle of the day. In July, the frequency of the cloudy sky in the north is 40%, in the south 25%.

High summer temperatures, combined with low precipitation, result in low relative humidity. In May at 1 pm it does not exceed 50% even in the north of the region, and in the southeast it falls below 40%.

Precipitation in the Southern region falls much less than the amount of moisture that can evaporate under given temperature conditions. In the north of the region, the moisture balance is close to neutral, i.e., the annual amount of precipitation and evaporation are approximately equal, and in the southeast of the region, evaporation is three to four times higher than the amount of precipitation.

The ratio of heat and moisture, which is unfavorable for agriculture, is exacerbated in the south of the Russian Plain by the extreme instability of moisture. Annual and monthly amounts of precipitation fluctuate sharply, wet years alternate with dry ones. In Buguruslan, for example, according to observations over 38 years, the average annual precipitation is 349 mm, the maximum annual precipitation is 556 mm, and the minimum is 144 mm. In most of the Southern Region, according to long-term data, June is the wettest month; there are, however, such years when even in June in places not a drop of rain falls.

Prolonged absence of precipitation causes drought - one of the most characteristic phenomena of the Southern climatic region. Drought can be spring, summer or autumn. About one year out of three is dry. The frequency and intensity of droughts increase in the southeast direction. Crops are severely affected by droughts, yields are sharply reduced. For example, in 1821 in the steppe Trans-Volga, according to E. A. Eversmann (1840), “almost not a drop of rain fell for a whole summer, there was not even dew at all for six weeks in a row. In almost the entire province, bread withered before flowering, was abandoned on the vine, and there was no harvest at all.

Sometimes dry years follow one after another, which is especially detrimental to vegetation. Such are the well-known droughts of 1891-1892 and 1920-1921, accompanied by crop failure and famine in many provinces of southern Russia.

In addition to droughts, dry winds have an adverse effect on vegetation. These are hot and dry winds blowing at high speed. High temperatures and low relative humidity persist during dry winds and at night. Sultry dry winds, if they blow without interruption for several days, burn crops and foliage of trees. At the same time, vegetation suffers especially strongly in cases where there is little moisture in the soil, which happens during droughts.

Many researchers explained the high temperature and low humidity of dry winds by the fact that these winds allegedly come to the Russian Plain from the southeast, from the dry deserts and semi-deserts of the Caspian Sea. Other researchers attached exceptional importance to descending air movements in anticyclones, at which the temperature of the air masses rises and the relative humidity falls. Studies of the last decade have shown that dry winds are observed not only with winds blowing from the southeast, but also from other places. Moreover, dry winds very often develop under the conditions of an arctic air mass penetrating the south of the Russian Plain from the north and undergoing continental transformation. And although dry winds blow on the outskirts of anticyclones, their high temperature and low relative humidity, as it turns out, are due not to downward air movements, but to local continental transformation of air masses.

The degree of damage that can be caused by drought and dry winds of cultivated vegetation depends on the level of agricultural technology and special reclamation measures aimed at weakening them. In tsarist Russia, with low agricultural technology, droughts and dry winds often caused the complete destruction of crops, which entailed terrible famine in the countryside. In the Soviet years, after the collectivization of agriculture, the level of agricultural technology rose sharply, agriculture began to suffer significantly less from droughts and dry winds, and the threat of famine was completely eliminated in the countryside.

Among the special measures taken to mitigate droughts and dry winds, special attention should be paid to snow retention and the creation of shelterbelts and state forest belts. These activities contribute to the accumulation of moisture in the soil, and the forest belts also weaken the wind speed during dry winds, reduce the temperature and increase the relative humidity of the air.

Large-scale steppe afforestation, together with the construction of ponds and reservoirs, in the coming years will lead to some weakening of the continental climate of the southern regions of the Russian Plain: an increase in precipitation and a slight decrease in summer air temperatures. As climatologists suggest, due to increased evaporation in the east of the forest-steppe, the amount of precipitation during the warm season will increase by 30-40 mm; in the west, there will also be an increase in precipitation (by 5-10% in relation to existing values), but not due to an increase in evaporation, but due to increased vertical air movements over forest belts (Budyko, Drozdov et al., 1952). In semi-deserts and deserts, due to the low relative humidity of the air, changes in the amount of precipitation are expected to be very insignificant.

Four types of climate are expressed on the territory of the Southern climatic region: forest-steppe, steppe, semi-desert and desert.

- Source-

Milkov, F.N. Physical geography of the USSR / F.N. Milkov [and d.b.]. - M .: State publishing house of geographical literature, 1958. - 351 p.

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The Russian Plain served for centuries as a territory connecting western and eastern civilizations by trade routes. Historically, two busy trade arteries ran through these lands. The first is known as "the path from the Varangians to the Greeks." According to it, as is known from school history, the medieval trade in goods of the peoples of the East and Russia with the states of Western Europe was carried out.

The second is the route along the Volga, which made it possible to transport goods by ship to Southern Europe from China, India and Central Asia and in the opposite direction. The first Russian cities were built along the trade routes - Kyiv, Smolensk, Rostov. Veliky Novgorod became the northern gate of the way from the "Varangians", guarding the safety of trade.

Now the Russian Plain is still a territory of strategic importance. The capital of the country and the largest cities are located on its lands. The most important administrative centers for the life of the state are concentrated here.

The geographical position of the plain

The East European Plain, or Russian, occupies territories in the east of Europe. In Russia, these are its extreme western lands. In the northwest and west, it is bounded by the Scandinavian Mountains, the Barents and White Seas, the Baltic coast and the Vistula River. In the east and southeast it is adjacent to the Ural Mountains and the Caucasus. In the south, the plain is bounded by the shores of the Black, Azov and Caspian Seas.

Relief features and landscape

The East European Plain is represented by a gently sloping flat relief formed as a result of faults in tectonic rocks. According to relief features, the massif can be divided into three bands: central, southern and northern. The center of the plain consists of vast uplands and lowlands alternating with each other. The north and south are mostly represented by lowlands with occasional low elevations.

Although the relief is formed in a tectonic way and minor shocks are possible on the territory, there are no tangible earthquakes here.

Natural areas and regions

(The plain has planes with characteristic smooth drops.)

The East European Plain includes all natural zones found on the territory of Russia:

• The tundra and forest-tundra are represented by the nature of the north of the Kola Peninsula and occupy a small part of the territory, slightly expanding towards the east. The vegetation of the tundra, namely, shrubs, mosses and lichens, is replaced by birch forests of the forest tundra.
• The taiga, with its pine and spruce forests, occupies the north and center of the plain. On the borders with mixed broad-leaved forests, places are often swampy. A typical Eastern European landscape - coniferous and mixed forests and swamps are replaced by small rivers and lakes.
• In the forest-steppe zone, one can see alternating uplands and lowlands. Oak and ash forests are typical for this zone. Often you can find birch-aspen forests.
• The steppe is represented by valleys, where oak forests and groves, alder and elm forests grow along the banks of the rivers, and tulips and sage blossom in the fields.
• Semi-deserts and deserts are located on the Caspian lowland, where the climate is harsh and the soil is saline, but even there you can find vegetation in the form of various varieties of cacti, wormwood and plants that adapt well to a sharp change in daily temperatures.

Rivers and lakes of the plains

(A river on a flat area of ​​the Ryazan region)

The rivers of the "Russian Valley" are majestic and slowly carry their waters in one of two directions - north or south, to the Arctic and Atlantic oceans, or to the southern inland seas of the mainland. Rivers of the northern direction flow into the Barents, White or Baltic Seas. Rivers of the southern direction - to the Black, Azov or Caspian Seas. The largest river in Europe, the Volga, also "flows lazily" through the lands of the East European Plain.

The Russian Plain is the realm of natural water in all its manifestations. The glacier, which passed through the plain millennia ago, formed many lakes on its territory. Especially a lot of them in Karelia. The consequences of the stay of the glacier were the emergence in the North-West of such large lakes as Ladoga, Onega, Pskov-Peipsi reservoir.

Under the thickness of the earth in the localization of the Russian Plain, reserves of artesian water are stored in the amount of three underground basins of huge volumes and many located at a shallower depth.

Climate of the East European Plain

(Flat terrain with slight drops near Pskov)

The Atlantic dictates the weather regime on the Russian Plain. Western winds, air masses that move moisture, make summer on the plain warm and humid, winter cold and windy. During the cold season, winds from the Atlantic bring about ten cyclones, contributing to changeable heat and cold. But the air masses from the Arctic Ocean are still striving for the plain.

Therefore, the climate becomes continental only in the depths of the massif, closer to the south and southeast. The East European Plain has two climatic zones - subarctic and temperate, increasing continentality towards the east.

The main role in the formation of the climate of the Russian Plain belongs to the radiation factor. Advection is of particular importance. Continentality increases towards the east, southeast. The absence of mountains in the north and west contributes to the penetration of arctic and sea air from temperate latitudes. Atlantic air masses, transformed, reach the Urals. Arctic air comes from the Barents and Kara seas.

Within the plain, especially in its eastern part, the continental air of temperate latitudes dominates. The effect of advection is stronger in winter than in summer. Tropical air in the south and southeast is of some importance.

Cyclonic activity is most actively manifested in the winter half of the year along the Arctic front, usually located in the north of the plain, but often moving towards the Black Sea. In the summer half of the year, three zones of cyclonic activity are formed. The first zone is along the Arctic front, which often shifts to the middle zone of the Russian Plain. The second zone is polar-frontal occlusion along the polar front. The third zone of cyclonic activity occupies a strip from the Crimea to the Middle Volga.

Most of the plain is characterized by winds blowing from southwest to northeast in winter, with the exception of the Caspian lowland, where winds blowing from east to west prevail. In the Lower Volga region, they change direction to the north. Winds blowing from the northwest and west to the southeast and east are characteristic of summer. The high barometric pressure axis has a significant influence on the direction of the wind.

underlying surface; its flat character contributes to the zonal distribution of radiant energy and the manifestation of advection, which causes a shift in zonal boundaries. The dissection of the plains redistributes heat and moisture and causes a flattened altitudinal zonality and inversions.

Winter on the plain is characterized by stable negative temperatures, in the north it lasts for 6-7 months, in the south for 1-2 months. Localities closer to the Atlantic Ocean or under the influence of the Gulf Stream (Kola) have average January temperatures close to those of Astrakhan.

The vast majority of the territory is characterized by stable snow cover. An increase in annual precipitation is observed in areas with more active cyclonic activity and, conversely, less precipitation occurs in the eastern part of the plain, where the anticyclonic weather regime is more characteristic. Precipitation increases over higher elevations. Precipitation of the warm season usually makes up 50-70% of the annual amount.

The climate of the East European Plain is influenced by its position in temperate and high latitudes, as well as neighboring territories (Western Europe and North Asia) and the Atlantic and Arctic Oceans. The total solar radiation per year in the north of the plain, in the Pechora basin, reaches 2700 mJ / m 2 (65 kcal / cm 2), and in the south, in the Caspian lowland, 4800-5050 mJ / m 2 (115-120 kcal / cm 2 ). The distribution of radiation over the territory of the plain changes dramatically with the seasons. In winter, radiation is much less than in summer, and more than 60% of it is reflected by the snow cover. In January, the total solar radiation at the latitude Kaliningrad - Moscow - Perm is 50 mJ / m 2 (about 1 kcal / cm 2), and in the southeast of the Caspian lowland about 120 mJ / m 2 (3 kcal / cm 2). The radiation reaches its greatest value in summer and in July, its total values ​​in the north of the plain are about 550 mJ / m 2 (13 kcal / cm 2), and in the south - 700 mJ / m 2 (17 kcal / cm 2).

The lack of moisture during the period of active life of plants leads to droughts, which periodically recur in a significant part of the Russian Plain, especially in the east of the forest-steppes and steppes.

The arrival of cyclones from the North Atlantic and the Southwestern Arctic to the Russian Plain is associated with the intrusion of cold air. It enters the rear of the cyclone, and then the arctic air penetrates far to the south of the plain. Arctic air enters freely over the entire surface and along the eastern periphery of anticyclones moving slowly from the northwest. Anticyclones often recur in the southeast of the plain, due to the influence of the Asian High. They contribute to the intrusion of cold continental air masses of temperate latitudes, the development of radiative cooling in cloudy weather, low air temperatures, and the formation of a thin, stable snow cover.

In the warm period of the year, from April, cyclonic activity proceeds along the lines of the Arctic and Polar fronts, shifting to the north. Cyclonic weather is most typical for the northwest of the plain, so cool sea air from temperate latitudes often comes to these areas from the Atlantic. It lowers the temperature, but at the same time it heats up from the underlying surface and is additionally saturated with moisture due to evaporation from the moistened surface.

Cyclones contribute to the transfer of cold air, sometimes arctic, from the north to more southern latitudes and cause cooling, and sometimes frost on the soil. The southwestern cyclones (6-12 per season) are associated with the invasion of the plain of humid warm tropical air, which penetrates even into the forest zone. Very warm but dry air is formed in the cores of the spur of the Azores High. It can contribute to the formation of arid types of weather and droughts in the southeast.

The position of the January isotherms in the northern half of the Russian Plain is submeridional, which is associated with greater frequency in the western regions of the Atlantic air and its lesser transformation. The average January temperature in the Kaliningrad region is -4°С, in the western part of the compact territory of Russia it is about -10°С, and in the northeast -20°С. In the southern part of the country, the isotherms deviate to the southeast, amounting to -5 ... -6 ° С in the region of the lower reaches of the Don and Volga.

In summer, almost everywhere on the plain, the most important factor in the distribution of temperature is solar radiation, so isotherms, in contrast to winter, are located mainly in accordance with geographic latitude. In the extreme north of the plain, the average temperature in July rises to 8°C, which is associated with the transformation of the air coming from the Arctic. The average July isotherm of 20°C goes through Voronezh to Cheboksary, approximately coinciding with the border between forest and forest-steppe, and the isotherm of 24°C crosses the Caspian lowland.

The distribution of precipitation over the territory of the Russian Plain is primarily dependent on circulation factors (western transport of air masses, the position of the Arctic and polar fronts, and cyclonic activity). Especially many cyclones move from west to east between 55-60°N. (Valdai and Smolensk-Moscow Uplands). This strip is the most humid part of the Russian Plain: the annual precipitation here reaches 700-800 mm in the west and 600-700 mm in the east.

The relief has an important influence on the increase in the annual amount of precipitation: on the western slopes of the uplands, precipitation is 150-200 mm more than on the lowlands lying behind them. In the southern part of the plain, the maximum precipitation occurs in June, and in the middle lane - in July.

In winter, a snow cover forms. In the north-east of the plain, its height reaches 60-70 cm, and the duration of occurrence is up to 220 days a year. In the south, the height of the snow cover decreases to 10-20 cm, and the duration of occurrence is up to 60 days.

The degree of moistening of the territory is determined by the ratio of heat and moisture. It is expressed by various values: a) the coefficient of moisture, which in the East European Plain varies from 0.35 in the Caspian lowland to 1.33 or more in the Pechora lowland; b) dryness index, which varies from 3 in the deserts of the Caspian lowland to 0.45 in the tundra of the Pechora lowland; c) the average annual difference in precipitation and evaporation (mm). In the northern part of the plain, moisture is excessive, since precipitation exceeds evaporation by 200 mm or more. In the zone of transitional moisture from the upper reaches of the Dniester, Don and the mouth of the Kama, the amount of precipitation is approximately equal to evaporation, and the further south from this zone, the more evaporation exceeds precipitation (from 100 to 700 mm), i.e. moisture becomes inadequate.

Differences in the climate of the Russian Plain affect the nature of the vegetation and the presence of a fairly clearly expressed soil-vegetation zonality. B.P. Alisov, taking into account the peculiarities of the radiation regime and atmospheric circulation (transport of air masses, their transformation, cyclonic activity), distinguishes two climatic zones on the East European Plain - subarctic and temperate, and within them five climatic regions. In all areas there is an increase in the continentality of the climate to the east. This is due to the fact that processes associated with the influence of the Atlantic and more active cyclogenesis predominate in the western regions, while the influence of the continent affects the eastern regions. This regularity in climate change is explained by the manifestation of sectorality.

Differences in the climate of the East European Plain affect the nature of the vegetation and the presence of a fairly clearly expressed soil-vegetation zonality. Soddy-podzolic soils are replaced to the south by more fertile ones - a variety of chernozems. The natural and climatic conditions are favorable for active economic activity and population living.



The East European Plain is one of the largest on the planet. Its area exceeds 4 million km2. It is located on the continent of Eurasia (in the eastern part of Europe). On the northwestern side, its borders run along the Scandinavian mountain formations, in the southeast - along the Caucasian, in the southwest - along the Central European massifs (Sudet, etc.) There are more than 10 states on its territory, most of which is occupied by the Russian Federation . It is for this reason that this plain is also called Russian.

East European Plain: climate formation

In any geographic area, the climate is formed due to some factors. First of all, this is the geographical location, relief and neighboring regions with which a certain territory borders.

So, what exactly affects the climate of this plain? To begin with, it is worth highlighting the ocean areas: the Arctic and Atlantic. Due to their air masses, certain temperatures are established and the amount of precipitation is formed. The latter are unevenly distributed, but this is easily explained by the large territory of such an object as the East European Plain.

Mountains have no less impact than the oceans. along its entire length is not the same: in the southern zone it is much larger than in the northern one. Throughout the year, it changes, depending on the change of seasons (more in summer than in winter due to mountain snow peaks). In July, the highest level of radiation is reached.

Considering that the plain is located in high and temperate latitudes, it mainly dominates on its territory. It prevails mainly in the eastern part.

Atlantic masses

The air masses of the Atlantic dominate the East European Plain throughout the year. In the winter season, they bring rainfall and warm weather, and in the summer, the air is saturated with coolness. Atlantic winds, moving from west to east, change somewhat. Being above the earth's surface, they become warmer in summer with little moisture, and cold in winter with little rainfall. It is during the cold period that the East European Plain, whose climate directly depends on the oceans, is under the influence of Atlantic cyclones. During this season, their number can reach 12. Moving eastward, they can change dramatically, and this, in turn, brings warming or cooling.

And when Atlantic cyclones come from the southwest, the southern part of the Russian Plain is influenced by subtropical air masses, as a result of which a thaw occurs and in winter the temperature can rise to +5 ... 7 ° С.

Arctic air masses

When the East European Plain is under the influence of the north Atlantic and southwestern Arctic cyclones, the climate here changes significantly, even in the southern part. In its territory comes a sharp cooling. Arctic Air Forces tend to move in a north-west direction. Due to anticyclones, which lead to cooling, the snow lies for a long time, the weather is set to be cloudy with low temperatures. As a rule, they are distributed in the southeastern part of the plain.

winter season

Considering how the East European Plain is located, the climate in the winter season differs in different areas. In this regard, the following temperature statistics are observed:

• Northern regions - winter is not very cold, in January, thermometers show an average of -4 ° C.
• In the western zones of the Russian Federation, the weather conditions are somewhat more severe. The average temperature in January reaches -10 °С.
• The northeastern parts are the coldest. Here on thermometers you can see -20 ° C and more.
• In the southern zones of Russia, there is a temperature deviation in the southeast direction. The average is a revenge of -5 ° C.

Temperature regime of the summer season

In the summer season, the East European Plain is under the influence of solar radiation. The climate at this time depends, directly, on this factor. Here, oceanic air masses are no longer of such importance, and the temperature is distributed in accordance with geographic latitude.

So, let's look at the changes by region:

Precipitation

As mentioned above, most of the East European Plain has a temperate continental climate. And it is characterized by a certain amount of precipitation, which is 600-800 mm / year. Their loss depends on several factors. For example, the movement of air masses from the western parts, the presence of cyclones, the location of the polar and arctic fronts. The highest humidity index is observed between the Valdai and Smolensk-Moscow Uplands. During the year, about 800 mm of precipitation falls in the west, and a little less in the east - no more than 700 mm.

In addition, the relief of this territory has a great influence. On the uplands located in the western parts, precipitation falls by 200 millimeters more than on the lowlands. The rainy season in the southern zones falls on the first month of summer (June), and in the middle lane, as a rule, it is July.

In winter, snow falls in this region and a stable cover is formed. The elevation level may vary, given the natural areas of the East European Plain. For example, in the tundra, the snow thickness reaches 600-700 mm. Here he lies for about seven months. And in the forest zone and forest-steppe, the snow cover reaches a height of up to 500 mm and, as a rule, covers the ground for no more than two months.

Most of the moisture falls on the northern zone of the plain, and evaporation is less. In the middle band, these indicators are compared. As for the southern part, here moisture is much less than evaporation, for this reason drought is often observed in this area.

types and brief characteristics

The natural zones of the East European Plain are quite different. This is explained extremely simply - by the large size of this area. There are 7 zones on its territory. Let's take a look at them.

East European Plain and West Siberian Plain: Comparison

The Russian and West Siberian plains have a number of common features. For example, their geographical location. They are both located on the Eurasian continent. They are influenced by the Arctic Ocean. The territory of both plains has such natural zones as forest, steppe and forest-steppe. There are no deserts and semi-deserts in the West Siberian Plain. The prevailing Arctic air masses have almost the same effect on both geographic areas. They also border on mountains, which directly affect the formation of the climate.

The East European Plain and the West Siberian Plain also have differences. These include the fact that although they are on the same mainland, they are located in different parts: the first is in Europe, the second is in Asia. They also differ in relief - the West Siberian is considered one of the lowest, so some of its sections are swampy. If we take the territory of these plains as a whole, then in the latter the flora is somewhat poorer than that of the East European.