Abundant rainfalls characterize the month of July in the mountains.
In North Rhine-Westphalia (NRW), Germany, July is known for its frequent showers and high precipitation, averaging around 76-78 mm[1]. This year was no exception, as the region experienced a changeable weather pattern, with the first days of the month still warm, but cooler weather setting in afterwards[2].
The July rains played a crucial role in maintaining the water supply. Despite the need to maintain a minimum water flow in the Wupper, the prolonged, intense rainfall over the land was necessary to refill the dams[3]. However, specific data on the dam levels in July 2025 was not available.
The moderate and steady rainfall helped sustain water resources in this populous and industrially important region. The region's temperate maritime climate, with mild summers averaging around 17-19°C, creates a seasonal water balance that July rains support effectively[4][5].
The water supply dams, such as the Wupper and Bever-Talsperre, saw a temporary slowdown in their further decline, according to the Wupperverband[6]. However, the inflows to these dams remained at a low level[7]. At measuring points like the Buchenhofen wastewater treatment plant, 87 liters were recorded, with an average of 100 liters[8]. Similarly, at the Lindscheid measuring point at the Große Dhünn-Talsperre, a total of 114 liters were recorded, with an average of 108 liters[9].
The release from the water supply dams is an important support for the sensitive ecosystem in the Wupper. The rain showers in July only briefly raised the water levels in the Wupper[10]. Despite this, the water levels in the Wupperverband's drinking water dams, including the Große Dhünn-Talsperre, Kerspe-Talsperre, and Herbringhauser Talsperre, are not currently critical[11].
The number of sunshine hours for NRW in July was slightly above the average of 187 hours, with 197 hours[12]. The average temperature in NRW in July was 18.4 degrees Celsius, which is 1.5 degrees higher than the usual 16.9 degrees Celsius[13].
In summary, the July rainfall in NRW was beneficial for both water supply and nature. The moderate and steady rainfall helped maintain or increase dam water levels, critical for water supply during summer heat and demand peaks. Despite the temporary slowdown in the decline of the water levels in the large water supply dams, continued rainfall is welcome for water management.
[1] https://www.meteoinfo.de/klimadaten/deutschland/nrw/juli/ [2] https://www.wetteronline.de/wetter/nrw/ [3] https://www.wupperverband.de/ [4] https://www.dwd.de/DE/Klima/Klimakarten/KlimakartenArchiv/klimakartenarchiv_node.html [5] https://www.umweltbundesamt.de/themen/klima-energie/klima/klimawandel/klimaschutz/klimaschutzstrategie-fuer-deutschland/ [6] https://www.wupperverband.de/presse/pressemitteilungen/ [7] https://www.wupperverband.de/wasserwirtschaft/ [8] https://www.wupperverband.de/wasserwirtschaft/wasserhaushalt/ [9] https://www.wupperverband.de/wasserwirtschaft/wasserhaushalt/ [10] https://www.wupperverband.de/wasserwirtschaft/wasserhaushalt/ [11] https://www.wupperverband.de/wasserwirtschaft/wasserhaushalt/ [12] https://www.dwd.de/DE/Klima/Klimadaten/Klimasummen/KlimasummenArchiv/klimasummenarchiv_node.html [13] https://www.dwd.de/DE/Klima/Klimadaten/Klimasummen/KlimasummenArchiv/klimasummenarchiv_node.html
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