Drought is expected to develop in the coming ten days mainly in central locations and foothills. The two worst degrees of drought are expected to affect up to a fifth of the area of the Czech Republic. A moderate or worse drought can be expected in ten days in half of the territory of the republic, according to model predictions presented by scientists on the Intersucho website. The reason will be the high temperatures that should prevail in the Czech Republic from the second half of this week, with at most average precipitation.
Prague
11:30 p.m April 2, 2024
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Up to a fifth of the Czech Republic will be hit by the two worst degrees of drought, scientists warn (illustrative photo) | Photo: Katherine Vašíčková | Source: iROZHLAS.cz
The reason for the rapid development of the drought after above-average rainfall in February and average March is primarily the temperatures. Because of them, the vegetation began to wake up very early and pump water out of the soil. Similarly, the temperatures, which have already exceeded twenty degrees in recent days and are expected to hover around 25 degrees in the next few days, will significantly increase water evaporation.
Scientists define drought as the ratio of the current level of water in the soil within one meter and the average level of water in the soil for the years 1961 to 2010.
While in March it used to be usual for the water in the foothills or in the middle areas to be replenished from the melting snow, this year already in March the water in the soil was decreasing. And it will continue to decrease. Therefore, the drought affects the mentioned areas.
On the other hand, it will not yet affect southern Moravia or Hana and a wide area of north-western Bohemia and the area north of Prague, because these are significantly drier areas where water shortages are rather the norm.
For farmers, the reduction of water reserves in the soil has so far had rather positive consequences, because they could go into the fields with their equipment, but very soon there may be a shortage of water. “The soil will dry much below normal values in a layer up to 40 centimeters,” the scientists said in a comment on the outlook for the next few days.
According to the long-term outlook, April temperatures should also be above average, thus following on from an extremely warm February and a very warm March, while the amount of precipitation should be rather lower or average.
CTK
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