ADMS

In the third reporting period, i.e. from 21 April to 20 June 2009, drought conditions have not occurred in Poland. In accordance to the requirements from the Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development, IUNG-PIB Puławy has calculated the climate water balance (CWB) for 3,064 Polish municipalities and identified the current risk of agricultural drought for six species and groups of crops: winter and spring cereals, rape and turnip rape, sugar beet, fruit trees and bushes and strawberries for Poland.

Climate Water Balance Values are negative in the majority of Polish regions; it means that a deficit in water for many crops is still occurring. Calculated values of CWB are considerably higher than the critical values. The biggest threat of drought (CWB values below -100 mm) was in the area between the Vistula and the Odra, but does not translate into a state drought occurrence.

There is still a favourable trend in improving weather conditions in southern, northern, western and eastern areas of the country. The CWB values were significantly higher than the critical values. Good damp conditions are improving the water balance that is due to the occurrence of high precipitation, and this is exceeding the average long-term value. Good weather conditions continued to lessen the impact of unfavourable weather conditions that occurred in April and early May.