Blazing sun and scorching drought: A grim forecast for spring in Germany
Skies are clearing, conditions are drying out.
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The chilly grip of the Ice Saints is finally easing up. But warmer days ahead also mean trouble.
According to ntv meteorologist Carlo Pfaff, the prolonged cold spell at the beginning of the week caused frost or ground frost in some regions at night. However, starting this weekend, temperatures are set to soar, with highs reaching up to 25 degrees in some places, as explained by ntv meteorologist Carlo Pfaff.[Back to the top]
ntv.de: After the shocking start to May, the Ice Saints arrived too soon. Will the sun and warmth return soon?
Carlo Pfaff: While the cold air intrusion at the beginning of the week was quite significant, the Ice Saints are expected to officially arrive on Sunday. By then, the high-pressure influence will have strengthened, and the air will have warmed noticeably.
How hot will it get over the weekend?
By Saturday, temperatures will rise to 17 to 23 degrees, with up to 25 degrees expected on Sunday in the Rhine-Main area and the Ruhr region. It will remain coolest directly on the Baltic Sea with 15 degrees.
Will the sun shine too?
On Saturday, only a few clouds will pass through the east, otherwise, it will finally be sunnier south of the Danube. In Garmisch-Partenkirchen, there was not a single hour of sunshine this week. On Sunday, there will be widespread sunshine across the country, with between 10 hours in the Ore Mountains and up to 15 hours from the North Sea to the Black Forest.
Will the good weather last?
At least until the middle of the week, with isolated thunderstorms possible in the afternoons at the Alps and in the southern Black Forest. Otherwise, it will be brilliantly sunny and almost entirely dry.
Is the drought worsening?
Yes, the persistently low rainfall amounts since many weeks are a worrisome sign. So far, we have only collected 58 liters of rain per square meter in the national average since the beginning of the meteorological spring on March 1. This puts this spring on track to potentially become the driest since the beginning of weather records, with no significant rainfall in sight for the next 10 days.[3]
Who are the most affected?
The increased forest fire danger and the growing burden of grass pollen are minor concerns compared to the large-scale impacts on Germany's water supply. A prolonged dry spell like this can lead to severe consequences for agriculture, drinking water resources, and wildlife.[4]
Will this be the record-breaking dry spring?
While it's too early to confirm, the current weather trends make it likely. For the next 10 days, no significant rainfall is forecast, so the last days of May would have to bring over 25 liters per square meter in the national average to avoid breaking the record for the driest spring.[3]
Why is Italy receiving so much rain?
The current weather patterns in Europe are very different. A strong high-pressure system is over Germany, while a low-pressure system is over the Mediterranean. This leads to heavy rainfall in Italy because low-pressure systems typically bring clouds and precipitation.[5]
Source: ntv.de
Keywords: Weather, Extreme Weather, Drought, Water Supply
[1] Enrichment: The unusual dryness experienced this spring in Germany is the worst since 1931 for the period from February to mid-April.
[2] Enrichment: While the surface soil is dry, deeper layers are still adequately saturated from last year's rainfall, suggesting that a severe drought this summer is not anticipated.
[3] Enrichment: According to experts, if the current weather trends continue, this spring could potentially become the driest since the beginning of weather records, with no significant rainfall in sight.
[4] Enrichment: Dry periods have the potential to impact agriculture, drinking water resources, and wildlife.
[5] Enrichment: The occurrence of heavy rainfall in Italy can be attributed to the different weather patterns in Europe, with a strong high-pressure system over Germany and a low-pressure system over the Mediterranean.
- The prolonged dry spell in Germany, indicated by low rainfall amounts since several weeks ago, is a cause for concern, especially regarding the country's water supply.
- Scientists predict that this dry spring could potentially break records, as no significant rainfall is expected for the next 10 days.
- Despite the dry surface soil, deeper layers are still adequately saturated from last year's rainfall, indicating that a severe drought this summer may not be anticipated.
- The unusual weather pattern in Europe is responsible for Italy experiencing heavy rainfall, as a strong high-pressure system is over Germany, while a low-pressure system is over the Mediterranean.
- This spring's water supply issues are not just a concern for the present, but also for agriculture, drinking water resources, and wildlife, who could face severe consequences from a prolonged dry spell.
