Leipzig's precipitation puzzle: Where is the rain?

Leipzig's precipitation puzzle: Where is the rain?

The region around Leipzig is under pressure due to persistent drought and a rainfall deficit. While other parts of Germany receive regular rainfall, Leipzig is faced with subdued weather patterns MDR reported. One reason for this is the high low mountain ranges, which keep precipitation from the west. Sebastian Balders from the German Weather Service states that the weather data from recent years does not show any significant deviation in the amount of rain in the Leipzig lowlands, but that the lakes in the Neuseenland are often brought into play as an explanation for the dry situation.

Over the last 30 to 40 years, the rainfall pattern has changed: While the winter months tend to be drier, heavy rain events are increasing in summer. These dynamic weather conditions give people the impression that the new lakes in the Neuseenland are “stealing” the city’s water. But Andreas Marx, hydro-meteorologist at the Helmholtz Center for Environmental Research, confirms that the lakes only influence the microclimate, but do not make a significant contribution to weather events in higher atmospheric layers. These misunderstandings are particularly common in summer, when small-scale rainfall varies greatly.

Precipitation deficit and its consequences

The region is not only struggling with less rainfall, but also with the consequences of this development. Loud Leipzig Internet newspaper The rainfall deficit of the last five years is so severe that it corresponds to about two years of drought. This has a noticeable impact on flora and fauna, urban planning and the water supply in the surrounding areas. There are also problems with the acid concentrations in Lake Zwenkauer, which are caused by the former opencast mine.

Rising sulfate levels in the lake pose a challenge because the city is trying to improve the quality of the water by bringing in water from the Elster. In addition, the water levels in the lakes are not stable; they can sway by up to five meters, which endangers the water quality and the stability of the embankments. This means that water savings are constantly being considered in order to preserve the Neuseenland and local water bodies such as the riparian forest.

Recommendations for action for the future

The causes of water shortages in the region are diverse, ranging from climatic conditions to the effects of mining. The Federal Environment Agency In projects such as WADKlim, he has developed recommendations for action that aim to improve water management and specify adaptation strategies to climate change. These include, among other things, measures to promote sustainable water use and to increase the efficiency of water handling.

Without sustainable management and regular monitoring of water use, it will be a challenge for Leipzig and its surroundings to secure the necessary water resources in the future. These challenges could become even more complex, especially in view of the further changing climatic conditions.