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June Rains Bring Brief Respite to Germany’s Parched Fields

Deeper soil layers remain moisture-poor, raising concerns that a forecasted summer heatwave will reverse recent gains

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Overview

  • Topsoil moisture levels have improved across much of Germany due to rainfall over the past two weeks, easing stress on farmland.
  • Subsoil remains critically dry below 50–80 cm depth, limiting water availability for deeper-rooted vegetation.
  • Early-harvest crops like wheat and barley are projected to achieve better yields thanks to the recent precipitation boost.
  • Crops maturing later this season, including sugar beets and maize, are still vulnerable without sustained rainfall.
  • Weather models indicate a probable summer heatwave in Europe, a trend tied to jet stream shifts driven by Arctic warming that could reignite drought conditions.