3.5.2 Reanalysis data
To further investigate the influence of atmospheric circulation on patterns of snow cover depletion in the whole study area, we downloaded ERA-Interim records of daily air temperatures and mean sea level pressure (MSLP) for central Asia from the European Centre for Meteorology and Forecasting, between 1990 and 2017 (Dee et al., 2011). ERA-Interim is produced by combining observational data with previous information from a forecast model in 12-hourly analysis cycles, and we chose it over other reanalysis products in view of its temporal coverage and relatively fine grid sampling of 0.75°x0.75°. We employed the daily analysis product with observations at 6:00:00 UTC, corresponding to noon local time, and averaged them to monthly, spring and winter values to calculate temperature anomalies over the reference climate period.