Meteorological Agency's Report: 'July kicked off intensely and then dramatically decreased' - Meteorological Report: "Juli experienced an intense spell and subsequently collapsed"
July 2023 in Germany witnessed an unusual weather pattern, with above-average rainfall and less sunshine compared to typical summer months.
The meteorological data reveals that the average rainfall for the month was 114 liters per square meter, marking a significant deviation from the norm. This is a 47% increase compared to the internationally valid reference period of 1961 to 1990, and even a 30% increase when compared to the more recent and wetter reference period of 1991 to 2020.
The month began with a heat wave and ample sunshine, but a sudden drop in temperature and increased rainfall followed suit. The Alpine region, in particular, experienced heavy rainfall, with measuring stations recording between 300 to 400 liters per square meter, and some locations even surpassing 450 liters per square meter.
The German Weather Service (DWD) reported that July 2023 was overall slightly too warm and quite cloudy. In comparison, the average sunshine hours in July during the 1961 to 1990 period is 211 hours, and in the more recent reference period, it is 226 hours. However, this year, the total sunshine hours recorded were only 189 hours, making it less sunny than March, a typically less sunny month in Germany.
The high cloud cover associated with the increased rainfall resulted in reduced sunshine hours. This is because persistent clouds during rainy periods limit solar radiation input. Despite the rain, July 2023 was still slightly warmer than average, consistent with the ongoing trend of rising summer temperatures in Germany linked to global warming.
The sudden temperature drop in July was particularly noticeable on July 10th in Meßstetten, Baden-Württemberg, with a temperature of 3.5 degrees Celsius. The highest daily precipitation was recorded on July 28th with 99 liters per square meter in Aschau-Stein, Bavaria.
In contrast to the initial heat wave, there was no heat wave in the southern half of Germany afterwards. However, in the southwest, the sun shone for over 200 hours, marking a stark contrast to the rest of the country.
These unusual weather patterns in July 2023 can be attributed to a combination of summer warming trends enhancing moisture availability and atmospheric circulation patterns causing persistent wet conditions, leading to wetter, slightly warmer weather with notably low sunshine compared to atypical months like March. A detailed meteorological analysis specific to July 2023 would be needed to pinpoint precise synoptic causes. The general climate trend in Germany towards warmer summers supports these observed anomalies.
[1] Further reading: "Climate Change and Extreme Weather Events in Germany" (Source) [3] Further reading: "The Impact of Atmospheric Circulation Patterns on German Precipitation" (Source)
- In response to the unusual weather patterns experienced in July 2023, the Community Policy department of the German government might consider incorporating climate change implications into its future policy-making, focusing on measures to mitigate the impact of extreme weather events on employment and infrastructure.
- The weather-forecasting models should be updated to better predict and accurately represent the changing weather patterns in Germany, particularly during the summer months, in order to facilitate more effective preparedness and adaptation strategies, especially related to employment policy in sectors such as agriculture and tourism.
