Abstract: The snow cover data from 1981 to 2010 in the ERA-Interim global reanalysis and the ERA Interim/Land model (ERA-Land) were provided by the European Mid-term Forecasting Center (ECMWF). The observing datasets from 8 national meteorological stations surrounded by Xilinhot (including Xilinhaote, Dongwuzhumuqi, Xiwuzhumuqi, Zhenglanqi, Duolun County, Narenbaolig, and Keshiketengqi) were taken as a standard to calculate the correlation coefficient, average deviation, standard deviation ratio and other statistical parameters of the reanalysis data, which were combined with the linear change comparison and the quality index and the Brunke ranking method. The applicability of the snow depth reanalysis was comprehensively evaluated in Xilinhaote area. The results showed that both the ERA-Interirn and ERA-Land data performed the seasonal variation trend of snow depth in the study area well, however, the latter one gained better simulation results and good stability. Xilinhot and its east site were more reproducible than the western site; ERA-Land data had better simulation effect and good stability, and the northern stations had better consistency than the southern stations; ERA-Land data in most of Xilinhot area had a good quality trend, Naren Station was the most obvious, in Zhenglanqi Station south of Xilinhot, Duolun County Station showed a trend of variation, but the variation rate was very small; The ranking results were the best in east Wuzhuqinqi station and the worst in Zhenglan banner.

Key words: Xilinhot, Snow depth, Reanalysis data, Applicability assessment