Root crops are in critical need of rainfall during this period, but recent showers have only slightly alleviated the increasing drought in a few areas. Significant rainfall is not expected in the next eight to ten days, and the drought situation is expected to worsen, according to agrometeorological analysis by HungaroMet Zrt.
The analysis, as reported by state news wire MTI, indicates that on the five days leading up to Thursday, most of the country received less than 5 millimeters of rain—essentially, there was hardly any precipitation. In the south, southwest, and northeast, 10-30 millimeters fell, with some areas experiencing downpours. The 30-day precipitation totals are 20-60 millimeters below the seasonal norm.
The top half-meter layer of soil across most of the country is critically dry, and plants are only finding moisture in deeper layers, which are also drying out. The situation is worst in Mezőföld, and the western, southern, and eastern regions of the Great Hungarian Plain. About two-thirds of Hungary shows signs of moderate to severe drought.
Temperature highs continue to exceed 30 degrees Celsius. Planted crops are two to three weeks ahead of their usual development. Sunflowers and corn have either finished flowering or are at the end of the flowering stage, now requiring the most moisture. Ideally, they need 100 millimeters of rain per month, but without irrigation, this amount is only received in isolated areas affected by significant downpours.
The early stages of flowering and grain formation were characterized by heat and drought in most parts of the country, shortening these phases and impacting yield averages.
The forecast predicts mostly dry weather continuing, with no significant rainfall expected until the middle of next week. The soil will continue to dry out, and drought conditions will worsen. Temperatures are expected to rise again, reaching heatwave levels with highs around 35 degrees Celsius. A cold front is expected to arrive by Monday, reducing maximum temperatures by about 5 degrees for the following week.
