Do You Know, That? - Weather Extremities

So, just the temperatures will be a target of our interest...

The fact that the weather could be crazy from time to time, is not a matter of global warming. This gives a testimony of a glimpse to meteo-history of our regions. So, the highest temperature in Czech Republic was measured on 27th July 1983 in Prague-Uhříněves (277 m), and it was 40,2° C. To tell the truth, summer temperatures are often extreme. These measurements are not made in direct sun-shine, it is temperature average, found in neutral environs, apart of such materials, which could the temperature increased.

All such extremes could be experienced by workers in factories or workshops, first of all, the railwaymen, as the temperatures in covered spaces of railway station reach 45 - 50 °C in direct sunshine. On the contrary, the lowest measured temperature in the territory of Czech Republic was registered in the community of Litvínovice, near to České Budějovice (391m), on 11th February 1929 - 42,2 °C. Frankly speaking, the month of February 1929 was recorded in most our our country as the coldest month of the whole 20th century. To another localities where very cold temperatures could appear, belong very high situated plain land between the villages of Kvilda and Horská Kvilda, Bohemian Forest. So, it was registered a temperature in a locality of Jezerní slať, close to Kvilda torrent, a temperature of -41,6° C, on 30th January 1987.

Except temperatures, the travellers would be interested, no doubt, in weather forecast. This phenomenon must be followed regularly, but you can judge the situation in accordance with historical facts, as well. The fact that you get drenched, you will be secured in Jizerske Mountains, concretely at Bílý potok (White Brook) - U studánky (900 metres above sea level), where the average year precipitation of 1705 metres was recorded. In Moravia, it is, first of all, Lysá hora in Beskydy Mountains (year precipitation 1532 mm). On the other hand, to most dry areas of Czech Republic belongs Low Ohře-river Area, and further, the environs of Kladno and Rakovník, placed in rain shadow of Iron Ore Mountains. So, the lowest average year precipitation gave the measurements in the community of Libědice (Chomutov district) with 410 mm only.

Further, very extreme place for meteorologic appearances is Milešovka (837 m), volcanic dominanta of Bohemian Highlands. And really, you could not find most windy place! Strong wind does not blow seven days a year only. Except this fact, you can meet there the highest presence of thunderstorms of the whole Czech Republic. In this locality, you can expect in average 35 storms during a year. As a record, there were registered five lightnings´ strokes to meteo station within 15 minutes! 

Also German name of this mountain - Donnersberg - is more than characteristic!

Text: J.Chaloupka

Translation. ing. Jan Jonáš

Photo: wikipedia commons