Rain expected over the coming days will reduce the precipitation deficit in the Netherlands, but it will not resolve the ongoing drought. According to Weeronline, the worst of the drought appears to be over. However, nature reserves and major rivers such as the Rhine and the Meuse are unlikely to see significant improvements in the short term.
A precipitation deficit occurs when more water evaporates than falls as rain. This week, a westerly wind is expected to bring daily showers across the country. These could reduce the current precipitation deficit, which stands at around 300 millimetres, by 15 to 40 millimetres.
Despite this improvement, the deficit will remain at a level associated with the driest 5 per cent of years recorded in the Netherlands. Weeronline expects rainfall amounts to vary by region, with coastal areas likely to receive more rain than inland parts of the country.
The local showers are particularly welcome for the agricultural sector. In some regions, farmers may be able to reduce their use of irrigation. Rijkswaterstaat does not expect the rainfall to have a major impact on inland shipping, as water discharge from the Rhine and the Meuse is unlikely to increase significantly.
Insecurity
According to Weeronline, there is still considerable uncertainty about the effect of the rain on river levels. In a more favourable scenario, the Rhine could rise by around 8 centimetres, providing some limited relief. Rainfall outside the Netherlands, which is important for increasing river levels, is not expected until later in the week.
The showers will also do little to improve conditions in dry nature reserves in the short term. Soil remains dry at depth, and dried-up lakes are unlikely to recover with the expected rainfall. However, the top layer of the ground will become less dry. As a result, heavy rain will be less likely to run off immediately.
@anp | NEWS BRAINPORT
