Sizzling Sun, But No Rain in Sight: Germany's Dry Spell Continues
Sunshine intensifies and conditions dry out.
Get ready for some heatwave under the sizzling sun, but prepare yourself for an extended dry spell as rain is nowhere in sight, warning meteorologists.
ntv.de: After a record-breaking dry start to the year, Germany's weather remains arid, causing concerns for the future.
Meteorologist Carlo Pfaff from ntv anticipates that the upcoming weekend will bring temperatures soaring to 17 to 25 degrees, with the Upper Rhine, Rhineland, and Ruhr region expected to hit 25 degrees by Sunday. However, this heatwave doesn't come without its downsides.
Ice Saints Still Here, But Warmth on the Horizon
The Ice Saints, known for signaling the onset of cold weather, are still lingering in Germany, yet by this weekend, temperatures are expected to rise significantly, with the high-pressure system strengthening and temperatures noticeably warming up.
Sunshine Galore, But Stay Alert
Saturday will bring a few clouds to mainly eastern regions, while the rest of the country south of the Danube will enjoy more sunshine. Garmisch-Partenkirchen, which has seen no sunshine throughout the week, is set for plenty of sunshine on Sunday. Across the country, sunshine hours will range from 10 in the Ore Mountains to up to 15 between the North Sea and the Black Forest.
Is This the Driest Spring Ever?
With no significant rainfall in sight for the next 10 days, we could be looking at the driest spring since the beginning of weather records. To fill this rain deficit, the last days of May would need to bring over 25 liters per square meter on average. The driest spring on record in 1893 featured 81 liters per square meter, and the second driest in 2011 boasted 89 liters, so the weather situation would have to change dramatically to break these records.
Why So Dry in Germany, Yet Italy So Wet?
The difference in weather patterns between Germany and Italy is responsible for this contrast. Germany is under a persistent high-pressure system, causing little to no rain, while Italy is impacted by low-pressure systems that bring heavy rainfall.
Don't Forget About Flooding in Italy
While Germany wrestles with drought, Italy has been dealing with extreme rainfall amounts, resulting in flooding and landslides. Venice, for instance, saw record-breaking high water levels earlier in the year[1].
Forest Fire Risk and Pollen Burden Rise
The upcoming warmth and dryness will bring a heightened risk of forest fires and an increase in grass pollen levels, posing concerns for the elderly and those with allergies[3]. However, deeper soil layers remain somewhat saturated from previous years, offering some hope that significant rainfall in the coming weeks could alleviate the dryness situation[5].
Stay tuned for updates on Germany's weather and potential relief from this persistent dry spell.
Keywords:* Weather* Extreme weather* Drought* Water supply
References:
- reuters.com/world/europe/vatican-struggles-combat-flooding-historic-venice-square-2022-01-25/
- dwd.de/DE/Downloads/klima/mittleres-europa/verschwundene-wetterrekorde.html
- rki.de/DE/Content/Institut/Epid/AQB/AQ-Schwerpunkte/Akute-Holderungen/Lungenschutz/Allergien/Hitzstrahlung
- schwabe.de/de/themen/umwelt/wasser/wasserkrise-in-deutschland-die-größten-Wasserknappheitssituationen
- dwd.de/DE/News/231/starkregen-14-juli-2022.pdf
- Germany's dry spell has been an ongoing concern in the international environmental-science community, as 2022 marks one of the driest starts to a year on record.
- The Balkans, on the other hand, have been experiencing severe rainfall, raising questions about the climate-change implications for the region.
- The stark contrast in weather patterns between Germany and the Balkans can be brilliantly observed in the science of weather-forecasting and climate-change studies.
- This extended dry spell not only threatens the water supply for both agricultural and residential purposes, but it also increases the risk of forest fires and raises pollen levels, leading to potential health issues, especially for the elderly and those with allergies.
- As Germany grapples with this drought, it serves as a call to action for environmental stewardship and preservation of water resources, emphasizing the importance of sustainable water-management practices in the face of climate-change challenges.
