Agricultural Land in Dire Need of Moisture Ahead of Summer

In most parts of the country, at least 30-80 millimeters of precipitation are still needed, and if this does not arrive in the spring, it could cause serious problems in the summer, the Hungarian Meteorological Service (HungaroMet) said in an agrometeorological analysis on Thursday.

The coldest days of this winter so far have been in February, with night-time frosts of around minus 10 degrees Celsius recorded recently. The cold weather keeps the vegetation, which had already started to wake up earlier, dormant and also helps to control pathogens and pests.

Over the last 30 days, not even 5 millimeters of rain has fallen in most parts of the country, and the rainfall deficit is increasing.

Snowy landscape in Northern Hungary at the beginning of February. MTI/Komka Péter

The ninety-day rainfall totals show a deficit of 30-80 millimeters, with the exception of the southern region. Furthermore, a similar amount of moisture is missing from the top one meter of soils compared to saturation, which would be good to be replenished before spring sets in.

For cereals sown in October, the dry spell in November resulted in uneven emergence and difficult early development in several areas, particularly in the southern parts of the Great Plain.

Drought-hit sunflower field in August. Photo: MTI/Komka Péter

The forecast is for the next 8-10 days to bring the coldest period of the winter so far, with mixed precipitation with rainfall of up to 10-15 millimeters in the south and south-west, and less than 5 millimeters in the north, before a predominantly dry spell from Monday.

2024 the Warmest Year since 1901