March was one of the driest in Germany since the start of recording, and the first days of April also did not rain. In the coming days there will be “at most in homeopathic quantities,” says Marcel Schmid from the German Weather Service (DWD). After DWD data in March, especially in the upper classes, especially in the north, up to 20 percent was under the long-term minimal values-also because the winter, especially February, was too dry. Soil moisture for this time of year ”, the situation does not consider dramatic. In the depths, the soils are still well saturated with water due to the rainy -lasting previous year. For a few precious weeks, the current dry period could compensate for again. “So at the moment we do not have to assume that we will experience a pronounced drought in summer,” emphasizes Brömser. The groundwater reservoirs are also still well filled. Climate change promotes the spring dry -stoving droughts. Due to climate change in Germany, not only in summer, but also in spring more frequently. Because from higher temperatures, there is increasing evaporation and thus “a trend towards increasing spring dryness,” explains Brömser. “The middle development of nature scattered due to the higher temperatures, which earlier the plants also remove water in the year,” says the DWD meteorologist. “This increases the frequency of drought stress among the plants.” Farmers are concerned about the weather, as farmsters Joachim Rukwied says. “Now we are urgently waiting for precipitation.” He explains: “In general, however, a drier spring with a damp early summer is more advantageous than the other way around.” Archor plants need enough water in the growth phase, but especially later in the phase of grain training in early summer. Because even if the Dürremonitor of the Helmholtz Center for Environmental Research (UFZ) shows enough groundwater: the soil layers of up to 25 centimeters are particularly dust-dry in the north of Germany, Allgäu and Saxony. External content activate accordingly, the spokesman for the Chamber of Agriculture in Oldenburg, Lower Saxony, shows Wolfgang Ehrecke: “If it does not rain soon and productively, significant loss of yield is possible.” Moist in the upper layer of the soil is particularly important for flat -rooted or newly germinating plants – in nature as well as on fields, where farmers have sown summer cereals or sugar beet in the past few weeks. “Numerous weather events can still occur until the harvest time, which can influence the yields both positively and negatively.” According to the DWD, he does not yet see the risk that the food will become scarce due to drought. According to the DWD, the risk of forest fire has risen early in the year. The Rhineland-Palatinate Ministry of Climate Protection warns that the current drought is a “real forest protection problem”. The danger grows due to the dry layer of needles and leaves on the floor, which burns well, even if in the depths into which the tree roots are enough, there is still enough moisture. From the Ministry it also says that the likelihood of secondary damage to the trees due to insects is increasing because weakened trees could defend themselves less well. “A relatively large number of bark beetles survived the winter,” said the statement. However, according to UFZ, bark beetle only raves at temperatures above 16 degrees, the cool days in April are therefore good news. If water in rivers and Sendie water levels in Lake Constance and Rhine are currently very low, the water of Lake Constance has almost reached its historical low. On Lower Sea, the western part, a port has dried out, several others cannot be approached. In view of the water level, larger ships can only drive on the Rhine with a significantly less cargo – with consequences for the economy. Because it should not rain in the coming days, the water level could decrease even further. The cause is not only low rains, but also a lack of melting water from the Western Alps. In the mountains in the Rhine catchment area, which flows into Lake Constance, it has snowed less than on the long -term remedy last winter. “With long -lasting drought, there may be a regional challenges, for example when drinking water is obtained from rivers or lakes and this leads significantly less water,” said the managing director of the German City Day, Helmut Dedy, the editorial network in Germany. There is currently no reason to worry. The drinking water supply is safe. Nevertheless: “The following also applies to the citizens: We have to use the valuable resource of water.” Adjusted water management “The current drought is worrying,” said the executive Federal Environment Minister Steffi Lemke (Greens). “Agriculture and forestry, but we all also feel the consequences of the climate crisis clearly.” In order to protect the environment, prosperity and security, the water must be kept better in the landscape, including restoring ecosystems. Lemke also warns better water management. “Healthy rivers, meadows, bogs, floors and forests store carbon and water and make our country more resistant to the climate crisis.” Other countries in Europe probably want more dry days. According to Copernicus, the EU climate converter was largely moist in March in large parts of southern Europe. The Iberian Peninsula was hit by storms and large -scale floods. Regions with above -average moisture were Norway, parts of Iceland and the northwest of Russia. In the north of Greece, the temperatures recently sagged in the minus area by 20 degrees. Snow fell in many places, also in the port city of Thessaloniki. Streuzen vehicles moved out and students stayed at home.
