The entire territory of Slovakia is currently affected by exceptional climatological and soil drought. This results from a record-low total precipitation over the past five months, with April marking the lowest precipitation level since 1881. Representatives of the Slovak Hydrometeorological Institute (SHMÚ) announced on Tuesday.
Climatologist Pavel Faško pointed out that the period from December 2025 to April 2026 saw precipitation at record-low levels. “Virtually the entire territory of Slovakia is affected by this exceptional situation. The largest deviations are recorded in the northwest and the far northeast of Slovakia, as well as in the southern half of central Slovakia and the Upper Nitra region,” he noted. According to him, the percentage of precipitation totals has dropped below 50% of the long-term average in most areas at the beginning of May, with some locations already around 40%. “If precipitation reaches 90% of the long-term average, it is already considered low; if it drops below 60%, it is extremely low,” he explained. He emphasized the negative record for April precipitation. “April will become the month with the lowest precipitation total in Slovakia since 1881,” he confirmed.
Climatologist Lívia Labudová warned that the prolonged and severe precipitation deficit is also causing negative soil moisture conditions. “We are currently monitoring extreme soil drought in one-third of Slovakia,” she stated. “Vegetation is already experiencing a lack of soil moisture across 60% of Slovakia’s territory,” she added. According to her, the worst situation is in the Záhorie region, the Danubian Lowland, the Eastern Slovak Lowland, and the Košice Basin.
In districts within these areas, moderate to severe and even extreme damage to agricultural crops due to drought is already becoming apparent. Climatologist Gabriela Ivaňáková explained that drought not only affects crop growth but also causes problems with germination and slows the growth of grasses. “Foresters are also informing us that forest edges in particular are suffering significantly from drought. Spruce stands are especially negatively affected, losing their deep green color,” she said. “In deciduous trees, we are observing a significantly delayed and irregular onset of leaf budding,” she added.
Hydrologist Jana Poórová noted that water systems are suffering from a long-term drought problem. This is reflected in the flow of surface waters—where she described the situation in April as alarming—as well as in groundwater levels. “Water levels and spring yields are falling below 20% of the long-term norm,” she explained.
Meteorologist Cyril Siman indicated that the situation should improve slightly in the coming days according to forecasts, with a cold front and precipitation expected in the second half of the workweek. “We expect precipitation, especially in central and northern Slovakia, in the Gemer region, and in the far east on Thursday, May 7. However, it does not appear to be widespread or long-lasting rainfall; it will more likely take the form of showers or thunderstorms,” he clarified. Additional rainfall is expected next Tuesday. In the longer term, May should be wetter than April, but total precipitation will still show negative deviations compared to the long-term average.
Source: TASR
