February rainfall in Marmara at a record low!

It has been determined that rainfall in the Marmara Region in February decreased by 56 percent compared to the 1991-2020 average, and by 18 percent compared to the same period last year.

According to data from the General Directorate of Meteorology, the long-term average for February rainfall in the region was calculated at 70.7 millimeters. While the amount of rainfall in the region in February last year was 38 millimeters, 31.1 millimeters of rain fell during the same period this year.

80 PERCENT RATE IN BURSA AND BALIKESİR

In this situation, February rainfall in the region decreased by 56 percent compared to the long-term average and by 18 percent compared to the same period last year. The lowest February rainfall of the last 10 years was recorded in the Marmara Region in February. The decrease in February rainfall reached up to 80 percent, particularly in the surroundings of Bursa and Balıkesir. In Bursa, the lowest February rainfall of the last 35 years was experienced.

Adil Tek, Head of the Meteorology Laboratory at Boğaziçi University Kandilli Observatory and Earthquake Research Institute, stated that Turkey has been under the influence of rainy systems since September and that precipitation increased during the winter.

Stating that there was a decrease in rainfall across Turkey in February, Tek said, "The Marmara Region received fewer precipitation systems coming from the Central Mediterranean in February. The scarcity of systems that would generate precipitation caused rainfall in Marmara to decrease by 56 percent in February compared to the long-term average and by 18 percent compared to the same period last year."

Tek noted that the Marmara Region received fewer precipitation systems from the Central Mediterranean in February, and this situation caused rainfall in the region to decrease by 56 percent compared to the long-term average and by 18 percent compared to the same period last year. On the other hand, emphasizing that winter rainfall positively affected dam occupancy rates in the Marmara Region, Tek stated that despite the decrease in rainfall, the occupancy rate in the dams did not change. He noted that this situation had a positive effect on groundwater.

Tek expressed that seasonal climate forecasts indicate that rainfall in the region will continue above averages in the coming months. Stating that this situation will increase dam occupancy rates, Tek emphasized that the importance of water conservation should not change. He also stated that the Marmara Region remained under the influence of high pressure in February and that this situation caused a decrease in rainfall. He also stated that rainfall in the Marmara Region had decreased last year as well.

News Source: AA