| 18 May 2026
Mechanisms and Patterns of Snow–Temperature Interactions in Arid Mountains: Coupling Coordination and Lagged Responses Across Xinjiang, China
Abstract. The interaction between snow depth (SD) and land surface temperature (LST) is a critical yet underexplored process in arid mountain hydrology. This study introduces an integrated analytical framework combining Coupling Coordination Degree Model (CCDM) and time-lagged correlation analysis to systematically quantify the interaction strength, synergistic quality, and dynamic response times between SD and LST across the complex mountain-basin systems of Xinjiang, China. Using long-term, high-resolution remote sensing data, we reveal a hierarchical control system governing snow–temperature interactions: macro-scale latitudinal climate divides establish a north–south contrast in coupling potential; meso-scale topography overrides this pattern in southern mountains, where elevation becomes the dominant control on coupling and coordination; and micro-scale local factors drive east–west divergences in response lags. Key findings include: (1) pronounced north–south asymmetry in the Tianshan Mountains, with the sensitive south slope showing significant spring lag lengthening; (2) elevation-dependent thresholds in the Kunlun Mountains, where snow–temperature coordination improves only above 3500 m; and (3) region-specific lag dynamics indicating altered snowpack thermal inertia (e.g., prolonged spring lags in the Tianshan) and memory effects. The discrepancy between coupling degree and coordination degree emerges as a key diagnostic, identifying vulnerable regions where strong temperature forcing is mismatched with sustainable snowpack evolution. This study provides a process-aware framework that moves beyond statistical correlation, offering quantitative metrics to improve the representation of mountain snow–climate feedbacks in hydrological and climate models under accelerating warming.
This study develops an integrated analytical framework combining the Coupling Coordination Degree Model and time‑lagged cross‑correlation analysis to quantify the interactions between snow depth and land surface temperature across the arid mountain‑basin systems of Xinjiang. Using long‑term, high‑resolution remote sensing data, the authors systematically reveal the spatial heterogeneity of coupling strength, the regional contrasts in coordination degree, and the seasonal and elevation‑dependent patterns of response lags. The research topic has clear hydrological and climatic significance, the methodological design is innovative, the data analysis is detailed, and the figures are informative. The findings provide valuable references for understanding snow‑climate feedbacks in arid mountains, improving snowmelt runoff forecasting, and identifying climatically vulnerable areas. Overall, the manuscript has a solid foundation, but several important issues need to be addressed before publication.
First, the title uses the broad term “Snow‑Temperature Interactions,” which does not accurately reflect the actual variables analyzed in the paper. The study focuses specifically on snow depth and land surface temperature, not on snow or temperature in a general sense. I recommend revising the title to a more precise expression, such as “Mechanisms and Patterns of Snow Depth and Land Surface Temperature Interactions in Arid Mountains: Coupling Coordination and Lagged Responses Across Xinjiang, China.” Similar precision should be applied consistently throughout the abstract and the main text to avoid misleading readers about the core study object.
Second, the scientific significance and practical value of the study are not sufficiently highlighted. Readers need to understand, from the outset, what concrete scientific advances or practical improvements can be achieved by quantifying the coupling coordination and time‑lagged responses between snow depth and land surface temperature. For example, does this approach help quantitatively identify changes in snowpack thermal inertia, improve the timing of snowmelt predictions, provide empirical constraints for snow parameterization schemes in land surface models, or establish critical thresholds for water resource management in arid regions? I suggest that the authors add a concise, forceful paragraph at the end of the Introduction and another at the beginning of the Conclusions to clearly articulate the unique contributions and specific application scenarios of this work, rather than dispersing these points vaguely across multiple sections.
Third, the deepest heading level used in the manuscript is level three, for a journal article this makes the structure appear somewhat fragmented and increases the cognitive load for readers. I recommend simplifying the heading hierarchy to no more than two levels, i.e., only main sections and subsections, without deeper numbering such as 4.2.1 or 4.3.2. Different subtopics within a subsection can be separated by lead‑in sentences or bolded phrases without creating additional numbered headings. Furthermore, the Conclusions section is overly long, containing many specific numerical values and repetitive descriptions, which dilutes the key messages. I advise condensing the Conclusions to core findings, each focusing on one essential insight, and moving the remaining detailed information to the Discussion or to supplementary materials.
Fourth, the font size used in the main text is somewhat small, which makes reading somewhat tiring. While the line spacing is not excessively dense, the small font size still impairs readability and the overall reading experience. I suggest that the authors increase the font size appropriately, for example to 11 or 12 points, while maintaining clear line spacing, so as to improve the accessibility and communication efficiency of the paper.
None of these issues negate the core scientific conclusions of the work. However, they significantly affect the clarity, impact, and reader‑friendliness of the manuscript. I recommend revision before reconsideration, with particular attention to the precision of the title, the prominence of the scientific and practical significance, the simplification of the heading structure, and the improvement of typographic readability. I look forward to a revised version that presents this valuable research more clearly and effectively.