Karlsruhe (dpa / lsw) – The long-lasting drought is becoming visible in more and more water bodies in the south-west. At 70 percent of the gauges, the water levels are below the lowest water level in an average year, as the Baden-Württemberg State Institute for the Environment (LUBW) in Karlsruhe announced on Monday. The respective comparative value is considered to be “mean low water”.

According to the experts, the background is that from January to June in Baden-Württemberg only around 80 percent of the precipitation fell, which is usual in the long-term mean for this period – with above-average temperatures at the same time. “July has also been too dry and too warm so far,” says the LUBW. So far, less than 25 millimeters of rain has fallen in July, especially in the western half and in the north-east of Baden-Württemberg. In an average July – the comparison period extends from 1961 to 1990 – an average of 90 millimeters can be expected nationwide.

Not too much should be added this week either. The German Weather Service predicted the “heat peak” on Tuesday for Tuesday with up to 39 degrees on the Rhine. On Wednesday showers are expected, especially in the afternoon heavy thunderstorms with heavy rain are possible in some places. According to the forecast, the maximum values ??are still above the 30-degree mark. But on Thursday it should be dry again – and stay hot.