Meteorological Bulletin LIST - Summer 2018

Published on 10/09/2018

The Luxembourg Institute of Science and Technology (LIST), the Administration des Services Techniques de l'Agriculture (ASTA) and MeteoLux have just published the analysis of the meteorological data collected within the framework of long-term monitoring activities of hydroclimatological variables for summer 2018.

The summer of 2018 in Luxembourg was much warmer and far too dry compared with the long-term average.

Meteorological situation

All three months of the summer of 2018 were characterised by very warm and dry weather conditions. The first half of June saw an increased risk of thunderstorms with localised torrential downpours, but after that the summery weather started. In July, very warm and dry air reached the country, mostly coming from easterly directions. In the final 10 days of July, warm air from subtropical regions reached Luxembourg and a first brief heatwave followed. The weather at the start of August continued to be dominated by the influence of high pressure. Due to a cold front, the end of the first 10-day period in August saw localised heavy rainfall, squalls and hail. In the last few days of August, troughs of low pressure coming from a north-westerly direction reached the country and temperatures fell considerably as a result, which meant the summer ended on a rather cool and damp note in Luxembourg.

Temperatures

In the summer of 2018, the average seasonal temperatures at the analysed stations of the Administration des services techniques de l’agriculture (ASTA) and the MeteoLux station were above those from the same period in 2001 − 2010. The smallest deviation, 0.4°C, was measured at the Oberkorn station (ASTA), while the greatest deviation, 2.2°C, was registered at the Findel station (MeteoLux) (+2.8°C based on the reference period 1981 − 2010). At Remich station (ASTA), July 2018 was the second warmest month since 2001, after July 2006, with a monthly average of 21.8°C. The absolute maximum temperature, 37.3°C, was recorded on 7 August at the Echternach station (ASTA). The temperatures at the Findel station in all three summer months were often above those of the comparative periods. July 2018 is the second warmest July since records started at the Findel station in 1947.

Rainfall

Total rainfall at the ASTA stations and the Findel station (MeteoLux) was substantially below the values of the comparative period 2001 – 2010. The smallest deviation, 35%, was recorded at the Echternach station. At the ASTA stations in Ettelbruck, Reuler and Schimpach on the other hand, around 70% less rainfall was recorded. Of the stations analysed here, the lowest value of the summer was recorded at Schimpach, with a rainfall total of 62 mm. The rainfall pattern at the Findel station in particular showed the low rainfall at the end of June and July, which was followed by a somewhat damper period in August. July 2018 was the fifth-lowest month in terms of rainfall since records began at the Findel station in 1947.

Hot topic: drought conditions have a negative impact on agriculture
The lack of rain, combined with high temperatures, resulted in sustained damage, especially in areas of permanent grassland, due to grass dying. Reseeding is necessary in many places. Lower yields for maize have also been seen to a greater or lesser extent. The recorded grain harvest was average, and rapeseed was able to compensate for the lower yields with side shoots due to the rainfall in the final 10-day period of May.

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