Weather reversal: heavy rains bring hope for Dürrehitz!

Weather reversal: heavy rains bring hope for Dürrehitz!

Erlangen, Deutschland - In Germany, the weather situation has fortunately changed after a long drought. In the past few weeks there have been frequent and sometimes violent rainfall, which not only gave nature, but also to agriculture urgently needed water supply. Agricultural meteorologist Andreas Brömser from the DWD describes this weather development as a temporary relaxation of the situation. Nevertheless, the situation remains tense: further challenges are to be expected.

Andreas Marx from the Helmholtz Center for Environmental Research (UFZ) explains that despite the high rainfall in the top floor, more water is available for plants, even if the total value of the precipitation in May was lower. The lower temperatures in recent times have also led to a reduced evaporation, which had positive effects on agriculture.

perspectives for agriculture

The prospects for early grain such as wheat and barley are generally positive. However, future weather conditions are crucial, especially for plants such as sugar beet and corn that require constant water supply. Many plants have increased strongly and need regular precipitation. The top layers of soil have now reached a moisture of 20-30 cm in rainy regions. Below this layer, however, the soil remains very dry up to a depth of 50-80 cm.

Although these rain gives a relief, experts warn that it is too early for a final all -clear. The development of the weather for the rest of the summer remains crucial. Model calculations by the Max Planck Institute and the European Center for Medium-term weather forecasts indicate a very hot summer in Europe. This could be caused by a warm stain in the North Atlantic and the forecasts for a long -lasting heat summer seem realistic.

global relationships

The spring 2025 has been one of the driest since the beginning of the recordings, which is associated with the worldwide increasing temperatures. The average temperature in Germany has increased by 1.7 degrees since 1881, which is stronger than the worldwide average. Climate change increasingly leads to extreme heat waves, which is also reflected in the recently observed heater cords in the northern hemisphere. In North America, temperatures above 40 degrees Celsius, and even over 50 degrees Celsius are reported in the northwest of China. Southern Europe also suffers from extreme heat, where, for example, records of 45 degrees and 46 degrees were recorded in Spain and Italy.

heat waves not only have serious consequences in Germany, but throughout Europe, including heat note and drought emergency stands. In 2022, this led to around 4,500 heat deaths in Germany and at least 15,000 in Europe. Older people, pregnant women, infants and people with previous illnesses are among the particularly endangered groups.

The national water strategy in Germany aims at improving water management and protecting groundwater and ecosystems. The upcoming El Niño phenomenon in 2023 could also increase extreme weather events, which further burden the already tense situation in agriculture. Science and politics are faced with the challenge of implementing adequate measures to adapt to the climatic changes.