Agrometeorology: Drought eased significantly

By: STA Date: 2025. 05. 29. 09:00

The rain in the second half of last week has eased significantly, but the summer heat coming next week will again worsen soil moisture conditions – wrote HungaroMet Zrt. in its agrometeorological analysis on Thursday.

(Photo: Pixabay)

According to the information, between 10-40 millimeters of rain fell in the past ten days, which is a significant amount, but in most parts of the country the 30-day precipitation total is still 10-40 millimeters below the long-term average.

The soil layer near the surface has become wet in many places, but drier spots remain in Transdanubia

There is also moisture in the deeper layers, so plants currently have just the right moisture conditions, and agricultural drought is absent or present to a slight extent in spots. The temperature dropped last Friday, and although the night frosts did not return on the last frosty day, Orbán’s day, the dawn on Sunday was very cool. From Monday, the peak values were already around 25 degrees Celsius.

The autumn sowings have been in good condition in the areas with more rainfall over the past month or so, the rapeseed has already bloomed in most places, and the wheat is in ear

However, their condition is weaker in the parts of the Great Plain with a lack of rainfall, and last week’s rain was particularly good in these areas. The cool period that has lasted three weeks is not favorable for these crops, and they need a little warmer weather. It is especially true for corn and sunflowers that the rainfall was extremely good, but they need higher temperatures than the current ones for optimal development.

Soil irrigated by rains is also very conducive to the growth of weeds

The latest vegetation index, which measures the “greenness” of the surface, for mid-May, has stalled in a significant part of the country due to the lack of precipitation and cool weather. Vegetation is generally still greener than usual at this time of year, but a lag can also be observed in the central mountains. According to the forecast, the real summer heat will arrive from the end of the week, with the peak temperature already nearing 30 degrees from Sunday. However, significant nationwide precipitation is unlikely until the middle of next week, so the soils will lose moisture in most places.

MTI