Where rain poured down last year, it has been drier than usual since February this year. The precipitation deficit, the difference between precipitation and evaporation, has increased to an average of 91 millimeters across the country since April 1. It is now as dry as it was around the same time in the record dry year of 1976. Little precipitation is expected in the coming two weeks, which will further increase the precipitation deficit.

Not Everywhere Equally Dry 

Image 1 shows the national precipitation deficit up to May 12 (black line). The contrast with last year is significant, when the national precipitation deficit on May 12 was only 19 millimeters. Throughout the rest of 2024, the precipitation deficit did not exceed 81 millimeters, which is lower than how high the precipitation deficit already is now.

The precipitation deficit is particularly high in the western half of the country (see image 2). In the eastern part of the country, especially around the Veluwe and along the far eastern part of the country, more precipitation fell in April than the long-term average, which somewhat mitigates the precipitation deficit there.