Exceptionally dry spring witnessed in RLP, harking back to conditions observed as early as 1881.
Spring 2025 in Rhineland-Palatinate: One of the Driest and Warmest on Record
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The spring season in Rhineland-Palatinate witnessed unusually high temperatures and significant rainfall deficits, making it one of the driest springs on record since 1881, according to the German Weather Service (DWD).
The average daily temperature during spring was 10.6 degrees Celsius, a substantial increase from the long-term average of 8.1 degrees Celsius. Particularly noteworthy was the arrival of summer-like warmth in April, while rainfall was considerably lower. Only 90 liters of rain per square meter fell over the entire three spring months, representing a drastic deficit of around 50 percent.
On the other hand, sunshine was exceptionally abundant, reaching close to peak values with around 710 hours, compared to the long-term average of 453 hours. The lowest temperature was -11.2 degrees Celsius in Deutschneudorf-Brüderwiese in the Erzgebirge on March 18.
Notably, the first summer day with at least 25 degrees was recorded on April 12 in Rhineland-Palatinate and Saarland. The Upper Rhine, Trier-Zewen, specifically, experienced temperatures reaching a maximum of 25.5 degrees. The first recorded hot day with temperatures exceeding 30 degrees occurred on May 2 in Waghäusel-Kirrlach, in the Upper Rhine Graben (Karlsruhe district), with 30.4 degrees.
The weather pattern is mirrored across Germany. The spring of 2025 saw only about half of the average rainfall, with 186 liters per square meter from March to May, compared to the long-term average for the reference period 1961 to 1990. Precipitation levels were notably lower compared to the more recent reference period of 1991 to 2020.
The drought has had severe consequences for agriculture, particularly in northeastern Germany and regions such as Rhineland-Palatinate. Reduced precipitation and increased evapotranspiration due to higher temperatures have led to significantly lower soil moisture and groundwater recharge, threatening crop yields and farming activities in numerous German states.
Significant precipitation deficits were observed north of a line running through North Westphalia, the Harz Mountains, and the Berlin area, including the states of Saarland, Rhineland-Palatinate, South Thuringia, and Upper Palatinate. While some southern regions like the Alpine foothills saw locally higher precipitation, many areas in Germany failed to receive sufficient rainfall, further exacerbating drought impacts.
Despite experiencing weather instability and occasional cooler periods towards the end of May, forecasts point toward continued dry conditions, especially if precipitation deficits persist. The German Weather Service expects new thunderstorms on Saturday and Sunday in humid, warm air.
The ongoing warming trend, which has been driving extreme weather events such as droughts and heatwaves, suggests that such events are likely to become more frequent and intense in the future. Given that the dry conditions in spring 2025 are already exceptionally severe, it is crucial to monitor soil moisture levels and assess potential drought risks for the upcoming months.
The unusually high temperatures and rainfall deficits in spring 2025, as observed in Rhineland-Palatinate, are indicative of the driest and warmest spring on record, according to the German Weather Service (DWD). Therefore, accurate weather-forecasting is essential for anticipating continued dry conditions and potential drought risks in the upcoming months.
