News Drought
KNMI: 'Drought regionally equal to 2018'
The KNMI will stop monitoring the precipitation deficit at the end of September. This is monitored annually between 1 April and 1 October. The national deficit is currently significantly lower than in 2018. However, if you zoom in on a region, the situation is locally comparable.
The national precipitation deficit for the 2019 growing season is currently 200 millimeters. That is less than the KNMI last year figured (297 millimeters). However, if we look at the average between 1981 and 2010, it is considerably more. The median is 100 millimeters.
There are significant differences per region. Most rain has fallen in areas with sufficient rainfall. Less water fell in areas where this is not possible. This mainly concerns the eastern Netherlands and the extreme southwest. The shortage there rises to 300 millimeters, which is equal to 2018. In the west and northwest, the shortage is equal to the multi-year average.
Lots of rain required
The regions of Twente, the Achterhoek, the south of North Brabant, Limburg and Zeeland have been hit hardest by drought. Many waterways are dry and the groundwater level is very low. A long wet period is necessary to replenish the stock of (soil) moisture.
Niels van der Boom
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