Drought and heavy rain events are becoming more frequent and more intense due to man-made climate change. The German Weather Service wants to use an early warning system to help affected regions prepare for this.
Soil moisture is about the water content of the soil up to 60 centimeters deep. Forecasts are calculated from evaporation and the soil water balance. In Germany and worldwide, 2023 was the warmest year since weather records began, breaking the previous record of 10.6 degrees Celsius.