Magdeburg/Offenbach (dpa/sa) – Saxony-Anhalt was the sunniest region in Germany in June – but it was also particularly dry here. A total of 295 hours of sunshine were recorded, said the German Weather Service (DWD) on Wednesday in its preliminary monthly balance. Nationwide, the average was 275 hours of sunshine. The mean value for the reference period from 1961 to 1990 for Saxony-Anhalt is 205 hours of sunshine.
Saxony-Anhalt was also the second driest federal state with a reported 30 liters per square meter; on average between 1961 and 1990 it was a good twice as much (63 liters per square meter). Only in Thuringia did less rain fall this June than in Saxony-Anhalt, at 25 liters per square meter.
The country had experienced a midsummer start to the warm season, it said. In the area, the temperatures had risen to at least 25 degrees on 18 days. The average temperature for June was 19 degrees, almost three degrees above the value of the internationally valid reference period from 1961 to 1990.
The DWD assessed this year’s summer in Germany as “clearly” too warm, too dry and very sunny. In the south in particular, there were also violent thunderstorms, heavy rain and hail. “The eastern regions, on the other hand, experienced scorching hot days and an exceptional drought with serious forest fires.” According to meteorological calculations, it has been summer since June 1st (until August 31st). According to the calendar, summer began on June 21 (beginning of autumn September 23).
