outrageous Severe Drought in Germany: charts show the Grim Reality
This data illustrates the severe drought conditions at present.
Get ready for some hard facts, folks! Spring 2025 in Germany is shaping up to be one of the driest on record, and it ain't looking good. Here's a rundown of the situation, complete with charts and expert insights.
Drought: We're in the Thick of it, and it's Only Getting Worse
Our weather expert Bjoern Alexander from ntv.de paints a grim picture: "If nothing changes with the rain, we might slide right into a confirmed drought summer." The German Weather Service (DWD) backs him up with alarming numbers. According to their calculations, only 58 liters per square meter of rain have fallen nationwide from March to mid-May. That's less than a third of the usual rainfall for this time of year.
Even compared to the worst drought phases in German weather history, this year is a record-breaker. In 1893, the previously driest spring recorded, an average of 85.3 liters per square meter fell. In spring 2011, the second-driest on record, it was 89.5 liters per square meter. To reach those levels, we'd need a significant downpour in the next two weeks - and nobody's predicting that!
Drizzle Ain't gonna Cut it: Models Show Scant Rainfall in the Foreseeable Future
Let's be real, folks. The gap to a balanced spring rainfall is massive. Bjoern Alexander says, "To achieve a balanced rainfall balance by the end of May, about 120 liters per square meter are still needed. Such a 'concentrated water load' is not expected even in the peak of the current forecasts."
While the weather models suggest a possible shift in the weather pattern, the predictions for rainfall are underwhelming. Only 20 to 50 additional liters are expected, depending on the region. Some regions might see almost no rain in the next seven days, according to the DWD. That's not going to make up for the rainfall deficit.
It's a Dry Heat Wave: Record-Breaking Drought Hits Over a Third of Germany
The persistent dryness leaves its mark. The Drought Monitor of the Helmholtz Centre for Environmental Research (UFZ) shows that significant drought is already spreading across large parts of Germany. In the consideration of the total soil (up to 1.8 meters deep), almost 30% of Germany's total area was recently affected by "extreme" or "exceptional" drought. The UFZ has identified severe drought for a further 23%.
When it Rains, it pours - but not enough
The good news is, after a relatively rainy period from mid-2023 to the end of 2024, the moisture reserves in the deeper soil layers are currently well filled. This means that forests can probably be supplied with sufficient water for a longer period.
However, for many plant species, the situation will only become critical if it does not rain significantly within the next two weeks. But with current forecasts predicting drier-than-average conditions in northern and western Europe for April to June, the risk of a new negative record for the driest spring remains.
Putting it in Perspective
As of May 2025, predictions indicate drier-than-average conditions in northern and western Europe, including Germany, for the period from April to June[1]. This suggests that the risk of a new negative record for the driest spring remains.
March 2025 was the driest March ever recorded in Germany[1]. This year's spring rainfall is not only lower than previous averages but also represents a significant departure from normal conditions, with some regions experiencing as much as 68% less precipitation[4].
Off the Charts: The Current Drought in a Historical Context
While detailed records of specific years are not provided, the current drought is highlighted as one of the most severe in recent decades, with significant implications for agriculture and ecosystems[1][4].
FAKE NEWS ALERT: Contrary to Rumors, it's NOT Raining Cats and Dogs
To avoid setting a new record for the driest spring, Germany would need to experience significantly above-average rainfall in the remaining weeks of spring. However, current forecasts do not indicate such conditions, suggesting that 2025 may indeed join the ranks of record-breaking drought years[1][4].
Source: ntv.de
- Weather
- Climate Change
- Drought
- Extreme Weather
- The current drought in Germany, one of the most severe in recent decades, highlights the urgent need for a comprehensive review of the community policy and employment policy concerning environmental science, weather forecasting, and climate-change mitigation strategies.
- Given the significant departure from normal conditions and the potential long-term impacts on agriculture and ecosystems, it is crucial for employment policy in the scientific community to focus on developing innovative solutions for drought resilience and water management.
- As the risk of a new negative record for the driest spring increases, it is imperative that employment policies prioritize the recruitment of skilled meteorologists and climatologists to improve weather forecasting and predict future climate change scenarios, equipping us with the tools needed to adapt and mitigate against extreme weather events.
