News Weather
Bottom water level back to normal level
On the basis of satellite images, VanderSat concludes that the level of the bottom water in the Netherlands has returned to a normal level. For some municipalities, the water shortage lasted 10 months.
Space technology company VanderSat uses satellite imagery from ESA and NASA to paint a picture of soil moisture status. It does that all over the world; also for the Netherlands. According to the company, the measurement method, which is linked to historical values, is more reliable than the traditional calculation of the precipitation deficit. The data from VanderSat also includes evaporation.
Leveling effect
The space technology company noted an average precipitation deficit of 300 millimeters in the Netherlands last summer, making it the worst drought in 100 years. The new measurement data show that the drought has almost ended everywhere in the Netherlands and that it fluctuates around 0%. In some cases, especially in the east of the Netherlands, there is a small plus up to a 5% surplus.
Since the end of May 2018, the soil moisture level has fallen below normal values. The most extreme situation was measured in the municipality of Emmen. There it remained dry for almost 10 months. The moisture level is only replenished again with the arrival of a lot of rain in March.
translation stroke
The drought has also ensured that all deep groundwater levels were low. VanderSat measures the amount of moisture in the root zone, to a depth of 30 to 40 centimetres. It also translates to the groundwater level, which also includes evaporation. A sunny spring is unfavorable in that regard.
Niels van der Boom
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