CLIMATE IN THE YEARS 2002 AND 2003

Abstract

The mean annual temperature in 2002 was well above 1961–1990 normal temperatures. The southern part of Slovenia and the Julian Alps got more precipitation than on average in the reference period; normal temperatures were also noticeably higher in Dolenjska and on the coast. The extreme northeast of the country got significantly less precipitation than on average. There was more sunny weather than on average in central Slovenia, Štajerska and Prekmurje. In the high mountains, the amount of sunshine was noticeably below the 1961–1990 norms. The mean annual temperature in the year 2003 was significantly above the 1961–1990 normal temperatures; the variance was between 1 and 2 C. The summer of 2003 was the warmest ever recorded in Slovenia; a record number of hot days (maximum air temperature at least 30 C) was observed. The duration of bright sunshine was well above the 1961–1990 norms. In the high mountains and on the coast, 2003 was the sunniest year; in the low lands, slightly less sunny weather was recorded than in the record year 2000. The main characteristic of the year 2003 was drought; only in the Zgornjesavska valley were the 1961–1990 norms exceeded. Elsewhere, there was a significant deficit of precipitation. In Prekmurje, 2003 was the driest year since 1951; only in 1953 was there less precipitation in Ljubljana.