In Bavaria, drought situation continues

After a warm spring start, that is Weather in Bavaria currently cooled down: There is frost, in places snow and precipitation through rain. At first glance, one might think that this is good news for floors, plants and groundwater.

But appearance is deceptive: like the Bavarian State Office for the Environment (LFU) in Augsburg in current low water layert explained that the past winter half -year was « clearly too dry » – with the exception of the above -average wet January. According to the information, the period from November to April brought too little precipitation to compensate for the deficits of previous years.

Bavaria weather: Hardly any snow in winter-even on the Zugspitze

Another indication of the persistent drought in Bavaria is the snow balance of the previous winter: the LFU reports that in cities such as Würzburg, Augsburg or Munich Sometimes only a few days were counted with a blanket of snow over a centimeter.

Even on the Zugspitze on May 5, only 116 centimeters of snow were recorded – according to the German Weather Service (DWD), a record low, which was last below only 85 centimeters in 1942.

Critical development in groundwater and drinking water supply

The is particularly worrying Location in groundwaterthe most important reservoir for drinking water supply in Bavaria. According to the LFU, more than two thirds of the Bavarian drinking water come from around 4,300 fountains that use the groundwater. But in the recent winter half -year, almost every second measuring point in the area close to the surface showed low or very low values.

The situation is also tense in deeper layers of groundwater: 41 percent of the measuring points continued to record a low water situation. According to the environmental agency, there could be no question of sustainable recovery. Also on the Forest fire risk The development in the Free State has an impact.

Rain on Lake Constance: Water level further under normal level

A visible example of the consequences of dryness is Lake Constance, which is to a small part in Bavaria. At the beginning of May, the level in Constance again crossed the three-meter brand, as the State Institute for Environment Baden-Württemberg (Lubw) announced. But the water level is still over 35 centimeters below the usual level for this season.

It was only in April 2025 that the level dropped to 2.70 meters, In many places the sea base was free – and not all ports could be approached by passenger ships. According to the State Institute for the Environment (Lubw) in Karlsruhe, the reason for this was both missing rains and small amounts of meltwater from the Alps.

Too little rain – man -made causes tighten the problem

The persistent drought is not just one Result of climate change And due to the weather. According to a report of the Süddeutsche Zeitung Also contribute to the situation significantly to the situation: river guidelines, the conversion of natural areas to arable land and the sealing through settlements cause rainwater to flow faster instead of seeping up.

In addition, heavy agricultural machines condense the soils, which further deteriorates their ability to absorb water.