In 2020, Germany saw sunniest April since records began
Clean Energy Wire
This month was the sunniest and third-driest April in Germany since records began in 1881, the country's National Meteorological Service (DWD) said in a press release. The preliminary data means Germany in 2020 saw the 12th consecutive April that was too dry. Many weather stations, particularly in southern Germany, had not detected any rainfall whatsoever by 27 April, the DWD noted. With an average of about 294 hours of sunshine, April 2020 beat the 2007 record of 289 hours.
Germany has experienced a prolonged dry spell this spring, which has subjected its forests to an enormous stress test, said agriculture minister Julia Klöckner. In 2019, Germany experienced its third-warmest year since the beginning of regular measurements in 1881, while 2018 was Germany's warmest year ever recorded. Droughts have led rivers to run dry and caused immense damage to the country's forests.
