Monthly mean maps for precipitation and temperature (observed and anomaly) with a summary of the monthly meteorological situation


This analysis is based on observational data of precipitation and temperature. For a monthly analysis based on ERA5 reanalysis, please see the Climate bulletins produced by Copernicus Climate Change Service

Meteorological situation for July 2020

Figure 1. Accumulated precipitation [mm] for July 2020.
Figure 1. Accumulated precipitation [mm] for July 2020.
Figure 2. Precipitation anomaly [%] for July 2020, relative to a long-term average (1990-2013). Blue (red) denotes wetter (drier) conditions than normal.
Figure 2. Precipitation anomaly [%] for July 2020, relative to a long-term average (1990-2013). Blue (red) denotes wetter (drier) conditions than normal.
Figure 3. Mean temperature [°C] for July 2020.
Figure 3. Mean temperature [°C] for July 2020.
Figure 4. Temperature anomaly [°C] for July 2020, relative to a long-term average (1990-2013). Blue (red) denotes colder (warmer) temperatures than normal.
Figure 4. Temperature anomaly [°C] for July 2020, relative to a long-term average (1990-2013). Blue (red) denotes colder (warmer) temperatures than normal.

by EFAS Meteorological Data Collection Centre

The meteorological situation in July 2020 was characterised by very high monthly mean surface pressure over the Azores, which extended to most regions of central Europe and the south-western parts of the EFAS domain. Scandinavia, Russia, and south-eastern areas of the EFAS domain, notably Iraq, were influenced by low-pressure. Many regions had below normal monthly precipitation totals, except for the northern parts of the EFAS domain, the western Mediterranean, and southern Balkan regions.  Monthly mean air temperatures were below the long-term means in Scandinavia, northwest Europe and western Russia while positive anomalies occurred in the other parts of the EFAS domain.

At the beginning of July 2020, a stable and strong low-pressure system was located over Scandinavia. The upper-level trough over Ireland and the UK was slowly weakening while the high-pressure system over the Azores extended eastwards towards central Europe. During the same time, the weak low-pressure system in Greenland moved towards Iceland and both low-pressure systems merged into one. This low-pressure area extended to the southeast and caused heavy precipitation amounts and strong winds in the Sofia area of Bulgaria in the night to 7 July. The high-pressure area in central Europe, surrounded by low-pressure systems, moved towards Russia. In the meantime, the high-pressure system over the Atlantic extended to Ireland and the UK, moved towards Scandinavia and displaced the low-pressure system. The low-pressure systems in the Mediterranean regions and south-eastern Europe caused flash floods in north and north-eastern Turkey on July 12 and the following days. Severe flash floods also occurred after torrential rain in Sicily on July 15.

In the middle of July, low-pressure systems dominated the weather conditions in the EFAS domain, which later extended to the east. In Russia, a low-pressure system developed and moved to the north, which brought heavy precipitation along its track. The upper low-pressure trough in Norway cut off and moved towards the Balkans. Another low-pressure system over Iceland moved towards Scandinavia and was split into two areas, which then both weakened. The high-pressure system over the Atlantic was extending towards southern and northern Europe. The low-pressure system over Russia moved towards the south and displaced the high-pressure area bringing heavy rainfall, flooding, and mudslides to western Georgia by the end of July. The high-pressure system over central Europe strengthening and forced the low-pressure system over Scandinavia to move eastwards. A new low-pressure system developed over the Atlantic and moved towards Iceland. The extension of the low-pressure system reached the coastline of Ireland, Scotland, and Norway.

In July 2020, the highest precipitation totals were observed in the Alps, the south-western coastline of Norway, the western coastlines of Ireland and the United Kingdom (Figure 1). No or nearly no precipitation fell in the south and southeast of the EFAS domain, in the south of the Iberian Peninsula and some regions to the north of the Caspian Sea. The high precipitation amount shown in the monthly grid in Iraq was caused by measurement errors. Monthly precipitation totals below the long-term means occurred in the Balkans, eastern, northern and southern Europe, and north Africa (Figure 2), whereas monthly totals above the long-term means were reported in central Europe, parts of Turkey and northern Africa as well as in some regions in eastern Russia and Kazakhstan.

The monthly mean air temperatures ranged from -3.0°C to 39.6°C with the highest values in the southern parts of the EFAS domain and the Caspian Sea region. The lowest temperature values were reported in the northern and mountainous parts (Figure 3). Air temperature anomalies ranged from -5.9°C to 7.6°C (Figure 4). Monthly mean air temperatures above the long-term means were found in northern and eastern parts of Russia, Kazakhstan, the bordering Mediterranean countries, and Portugal. Negative anomalies were reported in north Europe, the United Kingdom, Scotland, Ireland, as well as in the northern parts of central Europe and the north-western parts of eastern Europe.