Determinants of the course of decadal surface water temperatures in selected lakes in Poland and Belarus during the period of climate change

Authors

  • Rajmund Skowron Independent researcher, Torun, Poland
  • Nina Yu. Sukhovilo Belarusian State University, 4 Niezaliezhnasci Avenue, Minsk 220030, Belarus
  • Tomasz Jaszczyk Independent researcher, Toronto, Canada

Keywords:

lake, lake surface water temperature, climate change, Poland, Belarus

Abstract

The paper presents the results of surface water temperature measurements from 13 lakes located in northern Poland and Belarus over a 60-year period (1961–2020) and the reasons of these changes. Using the Excel, Corel Quattro Pro (version 8) and Corel Draw (version 9) graphic programmes, annual and monthly average values, extreme values, average annual and monthly trends over a decade were calculated and presented. It is supplemented by average monthly air temperatures for 13 meteorological stations. Research has shown that the temperature in all lakes is characterised by a positive trend of 0.044 °C per year. The highest increase of water temperature was noted in Chervonoe Lake in Belarus (0.066 °C per year), while the smallest temperature was noted in the deep Hancza Lake in Poland (0.029 °C per year). These values correlate with average air temperatures in December – March and with the winter North Atlantic oscillation index.

Author Biographies

  • Rajmund Skowron, Independent researcher, Torun, Poland

    doctor of science (geography); independent researcher

  • Nina Yu. Sukhovilo, Belarusian State University, 4 Niezaliezhnasci Avenue, Minsk 220030, Belarus

    PhD (geography); head of the laboratory of lake research, faculty of geography and geoinformatics

  • Tomasz Jaszczyk, Independent researcher, Toronto, Canada

    independent researcher

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Published

2026-03-10

Issue

No. 2 (2025): Journal of the Belarusian State University. Geography and Geology

Section

Geography

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How to Cite

[1]
Skowron, R. et al. 2026. Determinants of the course of decadal surface water temperatures in selected lakes in Poland and Belarus during the period of climate change. Journal of the Belarusian State University. Geography and Geology. 2 (Mar. 2026), 16–29.