Turkey experienced the driest August in 33 years
The General Directorate of Meteorology published the “August 2023 Area Precipitation Report”. According to the report, precipitation across Turkey decreased by 57 percent compared to the long-term normal (1991-2021) average and by 60 percent compared to last year’s August precipitation. In the map of Turkey showing the meteorological drought in August, almost all of Marmara and Black Sea regions and most of the other regions were included as “severe drought (emergency)”.
This year, August precipitation was the lowest in 33 years due to the El Nino heat and the climate crisis, the effects of which are felt more and more every day.
According to the report prepared by the General Directorate of Meteorology for August 2023 precipitation, August precipitation in Turkey was below normal and last year’s August precipitation.
In August 2023, with an average rainfall of 6.4 millimeters, there was a 57 percent decrease compared to the August normal (1991-2021) of 14.8 millimeters, and a 60 percent decrease compared to the August 2022 rainfall of 16.1 millimeters.
Precipitation decreased in 7 regions of Turkey compared to normal.
Compared to last year, there was an increase only in Eastern and Southeastern Anatolia.
“STATE OF EMERGENCY” IN THE MARMARA AND BLACK SEA
In the map of Turkey showing the meteorological drought situation prepared according to the Percent of Normal Index (PNI) of Meteorology for August, the Marmara Region, almost all of the Black Sea region and most of the other regions are listed as “severe drought (emergency)”.
According to the map, Izmir, Aydin, Denizli, Mugla, Antalya and Mersin are seen as normal or above (no risk).
Erzincan-Tunceli and Muş, Bitlis, Van, Siirt and their surroundings are also included in the map as normal and above (no risk) areas in terms of meteorological drought.
MOST IN RIZE, LEAST IN AMASYA
August precipitation decreased by 60-80 percent compared to normal in all regions except the north of Izmir, Aydın, Mersin, Niğde, Hatay, Kayseri, Kahramanmaraş, Sivas, Malatya, Tunceli, Elazığ, Adıyaman, Muş, Bitlis, Bitlis and Siirt.
The highest amount of precipitation across the provinces was realized in Rize with 106.5 millimeters. The province with the least precipitation was Mardin with 0.4 millimeters. The province with the highest decrease compared to normal was Amasya with 96 percent.
The average number of rainy days in August in Turkey, which was 3 days in August compared to normal, was determined as 2.6 days this August.
The regions and provinces with the highest number of rainy days were 5-10 days in the Eastern Black Sea, Erzincan, Erzurum, Kars, Ardahan, Ağrı and Iğdır regions and 10-15 days in Trabzon and Rize regions.
Turkey experienced the driest August in 33 years
PRECIPITATION BY REGIONS
August precipitation in Marmara, which was 5 millimeters, fell 74 percent compared to the normal of 19 millimeters and 90 percent compared to August last year, which was 47.5 millimeters.
August precipitation in the Aegean, which was 4.1 millimeters, decreased by 63 percent compared to the normal of 10.9 millimeters and 86 percent compared to August last year, which was 29.2 millimeters.
August precipitation in the Mediterranean, which was 5.8 millimeters, decreased by 26 percent compared to the normal of 7.9 millimeters and by 36 percent compared to August last year, which was 9.1 millimeters.
August precipitation in Central Anatolia, which was 3.5 millimeters, decreased by 66 percent compared to the normal of 10.1 millimeters and compared to August last year, which was 10.3 millimeters.
August precipitation in the Black Sea region, which was 13.8 millimeters, decreased by 64 percent compared to the normal of 38.5 millimeters and 52 percent compared to August last year, which was 28.8 millimeters.
August precipitation in Eastern Anatolia, which was 7.4 millimeters, decreased by 31 percent compared to the normal of 10.7 millimeters, while it increased by more than 100 percent compared to August last year, which was 3.4.
August precipitation in Southeastern Anatolia, which was 1.6 millimeters, decreased by 3 percent compared to the normal of 1.7 millimeters, while it increased by 78 percent compared to August last year, which was 0.9 millimeters.
Turkey experienced the driest August in 33 years
