DYNAMICS OF MOISTENING IN AGRICULTURAL LANDSCAPES OF CENTRAL CAUCASUS FOREST-STEPPE ZONE: ANNUAL MEANS AND SHIFTS IN PRECIPITATION OVER THE YEARS 1991?2014 (BASED ON THE DATA OF “MIKHAYLOVSKOE” METEOROLOGICAL STATION)

The article presents the overall results of the analysis of long-term (1960?2014) record of precipitation performed at “Mikhaylovskoe” meteorological station located in the foothill forest-steppe zone of Central Caucasus (597 masl) with sufficient moistening. In the immediate vicinity of the station the testing sites of North-Caucasian Research Institute of Mountain and Foothill Agriculture, Vladikavkaz Scientific Center of the RAS, are situated. The availability of adequate data based on the calculation of 1961?1990 climatic normals and changes in the character of moistening in the station’s operational zone during 1991?2014 period is determined by the need of obtaining more reliable estimates of test results.