SHMU: Past Summer Third Warmest Since 1931

Bratislava, 18 September (TASR) - The summer just ending was the third warmest in Slovakia since 1931, the Slovak Hydrometeorological Institute (SHMU) announced at a news conference on Friday. This June was the fourth warmest for that month over this period, while July was the 20th warmest and August the second warmest. The highest number of summer days was recorded in the village of Muzla (Nitra region) - 87. The highest number of tropical days - 56 - was reported in the town of Hurbanovo (Nitra region). SHMU also recorded the longest heatwave there, lasting 22 days. SHMU climatologist Peter Kajaba pointed out that the institute has never before recorded such a long run of consecutive tropical days. He also highlighted the record temperatures exceeding 42°C that were recorded in Slovakia this summer. SHMU assessed precipitation levels as well. The peak of the drought was recorded in the second ten-day period of August. The soil moisture deficit in the Orava area reached as much as 100 millimetres. Severe to extreme drought appeared in locations across 90 percent of the country. The drought was even worse than the one in 2022, affecting both agriculture and forestry. ko/df