Czech Republic experiencing driest spring on record

According to the Czech Hydrometeorological Institute, Czechia is experiencing a bout of exceptionally dry weather. Data indicate that rainfall in March and April was the lowest in the Czech Republic since records began in 1961. Over the two months combined, average rainfall totalled just 32 millimetres, equivalent to 32 litres of water per square metre.

The climate norm for the period 1991 to 2020, used as a reference for meteorological comparisons, is 85 millimetres of precipitation for March and April combined. The long-term average over the past 66 years is 83 millimetres.

Besides a lack of rain, drought conditions have been worsened by low winter snowfall, high temperatures and the early start of the growing season.

According to the Intersucho monitoring project, severe drought currently affects 60 percent of Czech territory.