Severe Drought Strikes Germany During Spring 2025
Severe spring drought reported by meteorological agency.
Offenbach (dpa) - An unprecedented drought swept over Germany during the spring season of 2025, with the northeastern regions facing the brunt of the dry spell. Under normal conditions, approximately 96 liters of rainfall per square meter would be expected during this period. However, this year saw only half that amount, making it one of the driest springs on record since 1881.
According to the German Weather Service (DWD), spring 2025 tied with the years 1893 and 2011 as the driest seasons since the records began. The extremely low rainfall caused concerns across various sectors, including agriculture, as well as wildfire risks and water level drops in rivers. The environmental organization BUND warned earlier this year of the severe consequences of the continued lack of rainfall for the environment and nature.
The hydro-meteorological situation was particularly dire in the northeastern regions, where rainfall barely reached 40 liters per square meter in numerous locations, according to the DWD's assessment. In striking contrast, the Alpine foothills reported more than three times the average rainfall, with certain zones recording over 300 liters per square meter.
While the lack of precipitation dominated this spring's narrative, there was also a pronounced warm spell, making it the warmest on record in Germany. The average temperature for the season was 9.8°C, which was 2.1°C above the long-term average from the 1961-1990 reference period. This warmer-than-average trend continued into spring, further exacerbating the dry conditions.
Exceptionally warm temperatures were present across Germany, with a record high of 30.4°C recorded on May 2 in Waghäusel-Kirrlach, Upper Rhine Valley. The DWD predicted the highest temperature of the spring to reach around 31°C on the last Saturday of May. Despite the low temperatures in the early spring, there were reports of frost as late as May in the eastern midlands and the northeast regions.
The DWD also noted that the draft report indicated very sunny conditions in many places, with approximately 695 hours of sunshine during the spring season. Around the North Sea, exceptional peak values of approximately 775 hours were recorded. However, the Alpine foothills experienced much less sunlight, with only around 500 hours recorded. The DWD processes data from approximately 2000 measuring stations, with the interim evaluation published before the month of May concluded.
Long-term climate changes are evident in Germany, with increased temperatures and variability in precipitation patterns becoming more common. The ongoing warm spell and extreme dry conditions during the spring of 2025 highlight the need for robust climate resilience measures and adaptation strategies in Germany as the country navigates the challenge of integrating renewable energy sources into its energy mix while adapting to a changing climate.
- The ongoing warm spell and extreme dry conditions during the spring of 2025 underscore the significance of climate-change research in environmental-science, as it becomes increasingly clear that such events may become more common in the future.
- The weather-forecasting services predict a possible record-breaking high temperature of around 31°C on the last Saturday of May, emphasizing the importance of accurate weather forecasting to prepare for such extreme weather events and mitigate their impacts.
- The severe drought of 2025 in Germany, which saw only half of the normal rainfall during the spring season, has raised concerns about the impact of climate-change on the country's weather patterns and its corresponding implications for agriculture, wildfires, and the overall environment.
