Agrometeorology: both drought and saturated soil occur in Hungary at the beginning of August

By: STA Date: 2023. 08. 04. 10:40

While the western part of Transdanubia has received abundant precipitation in recent weeks, there is a drought in the central part of Hungary and the rain is needed, the National Meteorological Service wrote in this week’s agrometeorological analysis.

(Photo: Pixabay)

In an analysis published on the website of the meteorological service, it was indicated: in the last ten days, 20-50 millimeters of precipitation fell in a large area of the country, 60-80 millimeters fell in the western part of Transdanubia, while not even 10 millimeters fell in the Jászberény – Tokaj area. Drought is roughly in the Budapest-Dunaújváros-Kecskemét-Szolnok-Jászberény area, the summer field crops here can only get moisture from the deeper soil layers, but this accumulated water content in winter is also decreasing – they pointed out. According to the information, the amount of July precipitation in Western Transdanubia and the northeastern border exceeded the long-term average, while it remained below the average in the larger, central part of the country. The average monthly temperature was 1-2 degrees above the average, this year was the ninth warmest since July 1901. The monthly sunshine duration was mostly between 260 and 320 hours, with less sunshine in the west and more in the southeast, which is 0-40 hours higher than the long-term average, the analysis states.

In the case of field crops, the wheat harvest is nearing the end, the crop that has been left outside for a long time has already gotten wet several times, so its quality has been deteriorating

The corn is in the stage of ear development – it is well developed in many places, three-meter plants and double pipes are not uncommon in the Miskolc area – and the sunflower is nearing the end of flowering – they explained. They added: the plants in a large area of Transdanubia received the ideal amount of monthly precipitation for them, but only 20-40 millimeters fell in the central part of the country, so these areas would need urgent precipitation.

According to the forecast of the meteorological service, the changeable, often rainy weather will continue over the weekend

The fluctuating cold front will remain nearby until Sunday and may bring significant precipitation to regions that need it. They warned that until Sunday, due to the frequent precipitation and many clouds, the air humidity will be high, and even permanent leaf wetness may develop, which creates favorable conditions for fungal diseases. From Monday, the tendency for precipitation will decrease, dry weather is expected throughout next week with slow warming, they wrote.

MTI