HUNGARIAN WEATHER REPORTS 1 DECEMBER 1951 - 10 JUNE 1952

• Document Type: CREST
• Collection: General CIA Records
• Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): CIA-RDP80-00809A000700090022-6
• Release Decision: RIPPUB
• Original Classification: R
• Document Page Count: 13
• Document Creation Date: December 22, 2016
• Document Release Date: August 11, 2011
• Sequence Number: 22
• Publication Date: October 17, 1952
• Content Type: REPORT

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CIASSIFICATIO J nESTRICTED
CENTRAL $I tLf*Erv(:t A(itIVB
INFORMATION FROM
FOREIGN DOCUMENTS OR RADIO BROADCASTS
COUNTRY Hungary
SUBJECT
HOW
PUBLISHED Budapest
DATE
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DATE DIST. II Oct 1952
NO. OF PAGES 3.3
SUPPLEMENT TO
REPORT NO.
THIS IS UNEVALUATED INFORMATION
HUNGARIAN WEATHER RKPOR25
1 DEC13ldB8R 1951 - 10 JUNS 1952
So fer, the most complete Hungarian weather reports, signed
by Zoltan Ozoraa, have appeared in the monthly periodical Termeszet
es Technika (Nature and Technology). Brief weather reports and
daily forecasts appear in the Hungarian press available in FDD,
while the semimonthly Magyar MezogazdasaB (Hungarian Agri-ulture)
publishee weather reports covering the 2 weeks immediately pre-
ceding the date of publication.
be usual monthly weather reports, covering February and April,
were omitted from the April and June 1952 issues of Termeezet es
Technika. While a weather report (1 Xarch - 15 April , signed by
Alfred Zach, did appear in the May 1952 issue, it did not measure
UP in detail and factual information to the previous ones. Also,
Zach's report was not accompanied ry a weather chart, as had been
appended to the Ozorai reports.
In Ozoral'a last two reports, presented below, more especially
in the one covering January, a marked change may be detected in
that fewer details are given in comparison with the wealth of de-
tail contained in his previous reports. It seems possible that
Ozorai had been warned against excessive detail in hie reports,
and that eventually they were completely discontinued.
To supplement the missing reports, as well as Zach's report,
the reports appearing in Magyar Mezogazdasas have been exploited.
Attention is called to the fact that no report was published by
Magmr Mezogazdasag for the period 15 - 29 April 1952.
Degrees are given-In centigrade. Numbers in
ue appended sources. Pa:entheees refer
CLASSIFICATION RRSRRIM'22
NSRs
Fal
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December 1951
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Weather conditions during December 1951 were generally well balanced. The
averages and totals for the month did not show the sharp deviations which can
be found in the preceding months. Aside from one or two exceptions, the weather
was slightly milder than usual, thus conforming to the characteristic of the
current century, namely, a mild December. in the northeast, however, especially
around Debrecen, as well a; in the area b?7unded by the Tisza, Szamoa, and Tur
rivers, protracted frost occurred due to a several-centimeter-deep snow cover
formed in mid-month. As a result, the average monthly temperature in these
areas fell below the na.tional average and at Nyirbeltek, even below the freezing
poi t
ere a PsL ctiv 1v m1114 sro, ~' Ke;Ztilciy and Farad (deviating
n. a heiweat ".
The distribution of precipitation was also fairly uniform, although there
was a deviation of 48 millimeters between Kunpeszer, inhere the minimum was re-
ported (14 millimeters or 31 percent of normal), and Peleoszentmarton, which
reported the maximum i62 millimeter, 117 percent). In general, the amount of
precipitation was small , particularly in the northern megyek, with the exception
of the Matra and Bukk mountains, Distribution of rainfall was, however, uniform
during the month. There were only 3 days (15th, 17th, and 19th) without any
rain. Nevertheless, in view of a f-v interesting events, it is worth while to
review the weather conditions during the month
On 1 December, a warm sAa air current covered Hungary, causing the temper-
ature to rise above 10 degrees in most parts of the country and as high as 14
degrees at Kapoever and Peca, This wen the warmest day of the month at Budapest,
on the Little Plain jyor-Komarom M.igye7, at Parad, and Nyiregyhaza.
On the 2d, the temperature dropped considerably, due in part to the arrival
ofecoO1e air in the Carpathi,n basin and partly to a fog which covered large
Although the nocturr_vl weather was temperate, diurnal warming for the
country as a whole reached only 3 5 degrees.
Subsequently, the temprrttur.: began to rise slowly, reaching its high in
viriou_a areas on the 5th, 6th, ;n,1 7th, respectively. Higher temperatures were
reported on the 5th from Putnok and Fuggod (11 degrees) and from Sopron (12
degrees); nn the 6th, from !S'-a;thely and Lengyel (12 de.-^ees) and from Pecs
and Kaposvsr (14 dears-;1; and on the 7th, from Lenti, Szarvas, and Oroshaza
(12 degrees). The nocturnal temperature was the most moderate on the 5th, when
only surface frost was rcport-d. On the other hand, considerable deviations
occurred on the 7th; the .lc-w t t-n:perature was 7 degrees at Keszthely and
'q-gykani?.aa and 9 degrees at Kapo va.r, while Szombathely and Debrecen reported
- 5 degrees neir the stu?face
On the 7th, it rained over the tntir country. The rainfall was particularly
heavy in the southwestern megyek, amounting to 22 millimeters at Lenti and Hahot,
that Is, more than the total which f-1.1 at Kunpeszer during the entire month.
On the 8th, the temperature :'-;l in and did not reach 10 degrees in any
locality, while on the 9th, the temperature rose above 10 degrees along the
southern border of the ccuritry. This mild wave was followed by an unusual
phenomenon. In the evening hours of the 10th, thunderstorms occurred in various
parts of Vas, Zala, Somogy, and Veezprem megyek, followed by hailstorms south
of the Balaton (at Padacgony, Somogytura, Sumeg, lizsa, and Zalavar). In several
localities, the storms were ac.compsried by ans.: flurries.
k
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The precipitation which fall daring the storms was generally little, ex-
ceeding 5 millimeter; in a few places only. In the southern megyek, on the
other hand, the rainfall amounted to over 10 millimeters without storms. The
cool air which had caused the thunderstorms and hailatorms extended over the
entire country on the 11th, when th-a temperature robe to only 2-5 degrees, with
the exception of Szombathely. In the eastern megyek the snow which fell during
the night from the 10th to the 11th remained on the ground, causing considerable
nocturnal cold in the morning of the 12th and 13th. The lowest surface temper-
atures were -10 degrees at Turkeve and -15 degrees at Ltebrecen.
During the following days, sharp deviations in temperatures occurred
bct oc the atci:i uuu ~-Lcau yam., i uuutynsy. In Ui., .at, July W11t;Ul
nocturnal frosts developed, while the diurnal tc_mpernture approached 5 degrees.
In the east, on the other hand., the n^cturnal cold persisted .as low as - 10
degrees) and the diurnal tempexatur.- did not rise considerably above the melting
point; in some localities the frost even lasted during the entire day. Due to
repeated minor snowfalls, the snow cover increased along the eastern border,
reaching a depth of 8-10 centimeters in certain localities.
During the arrival of the cold waves in Hungary from the northwest,
practically without interruption, a descending air current developed over the
eastern regions of France and southern Germany. This descending air current
gradually extended eastward and covered the Carpathian ba,in on the 20th. As
a result, the clouds broke up, which increased nocturnal cold. In several
localities, the temperature fell to the lowest point for the month on the 20th
and 21at? to - 6 degrees at Kecakemet, -- 8 degrees at Pared, -?10 degrees at
Nyireghyaza, and - 13 degrees at Debrecen, with surface temperature in several
places at Debrecen as low as -- 1., degrees?
During'the next few diya, milder ai- infiltrated into Hungary from the
southwest, and the resulting fog lusted for a whole day. The fog obstructed
the sun rays, and. as a result, the- diurnal temperature fluctuated very little.
In the east., after a heavy nocturnal drop, the diurnal temperature rose only
to - 2 to --4 degrees, and diurnal frosts occurred even in the west.
On the 23d and 24th, the fog, a;, well as hoarfrost, increased. The hoar-
frost was harmful and dame gad the power lines at Nagyvazsony and Pecevarad. In
several parts of the country, this wee the coldest morning as, for example, at
Kapoavar (- 5), Pecs, Budapest, Kecs,kemet. end Veezprem (- 6); at Szeged and
Lengyel (--7) on the e4tb; and at Bakes-'eba and ozar'v;is (-8); and at Nyirbeltek
(- 14) on the 25th.
On the 26th, finally, the fog broke up and the sun began to shine, if only
for a short time. Due to the arrl.al of mild air, the temperature, especially
in the southern megyek, rose hbove. 5 degrees and even to 8 at Gyor, 9 at
Nagykanizea and Bekeacsa.ba, and 10 at Papa.
On the 28th and 29th, it rained practically everywhere in the country.
During these 2 days, precipitation tot,.ied 3? millimeters at Balassagyarmat,
31 at Budapest, 28 at Vac, Kunszen_tmikloe, and Alcaut, and 26 millimeters at
Bodvaszilas. The mild vesther lasted until the end of the month. Diurnal
temperatures fluctuated between 5 and 7 degrees, nocturnal tempere-tires fluctuated
between 2 and L degrees, and surface frost occurred infrequently.(1)
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The weather during January 19 2 represented a natural continuation of
December 1951 weather conditions. With due regard to monthly average tamper-
atures, it may be said that tt? weather was considerably milder than usual.
The temperature was one to 2 degrees higher practically everywhere, with the
exception of the trans-Danubian region. At Nagykanizsa, for example, the
temperature was lower than average.
Considerable deviations were observed in the distribution of precipitation
also. While a large part of the country received the normal amount of precipi-
tation, only a fraction of the usually small January rainfall was reported from
some parts of the Great Plain The following review reveals the heavy fluctuations
which occurred in a usually mild month.
The first 4 days of January were very mild, especially in the western
megyek. in many localities, frost did not occur even at night. There was
precipitation every day; as a result, a connected snow cover was formed on the
mountains only. Between the 5tb and 10th, the weather was cooler and rainfall
was negligible. - On the 10th, a varm air current arrived from the southwest,
causing rains in tht whole country. The warm air showed its effect also on
the soil surfrce during the next 2 days; as a result, the weather was again
very mild on the 11th and 12th.
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On the 12th, dawn frost, occurred only sporadically, while in the afternoon,
thunderstorms with plentiful rains broke out in Baranya Megye. At Siklos, for
example, the rainfall amounted to 30 millimeters, at Mohacs to 22 millimeters
and at Bares to 18 millimeters, The storms were followed by a cooler air wave,
which had arrived after the said current of the 10th. The warm air wave
reduced the diurnal temperature to some extent and increased the nocturnal cold;
nevertheless, the weather it,. general remained mild. Precipitation occurred
every day, in larger amounts, however, only in the northern megyek. As a result,
the snow cover increased in depth in the latter areas.
On the 16th, the weather turned vary mild again, the temperature advancing
to 8-9 degrees in the crn,t.h Subsegvantly, hma:.v r; th.+ vnathor t?rneA rnld in
some parts of the country. A cold air wave arrived from the northwest and the
snow cover increased in depth in the north and west. On the 19th, enormous snow-
drifts occurred in the Matra and Bukk areae, which isolated several towns, such
an Boraodnadasd, from the outside world. The presence of the snow cover and the
breakup of the clouds caused a considerable fall in temperature in the western
megyek. The thermometer dropped to - 12 at Szentogotthard on the morning of the
20th, to 10 at Miskolc on the 23d, and to - 12 at Debrecen and Ayiregyhaza on
the 24th.
After a transitional period of mild weather, the northerly wind became a
storm on the 27th and 28th, raualag huge snowdrifts. At Budapest, the maximum
wind velocity was 28 meters per eecona on the 28th, which was unparalleled during
recent years.
Fortunately, the strong wind was not accompanied by polar air and, as a re-
sult, the snow and ice melted everywhere during the day. The melting was
accelerated by the rainfall, which was of considerable magnitude in certain
localities. 3owever, the snow cover which had accumulated in the restern and
northern megyek did not disappear; consequently, the nocturnal cold increased
considerably over the remaining snow covers after the wind had stopped and the
clouds were broken up. The temperature fell below - 10 degrees in most of the
trans-Danubian region and as la: e - 10 degrees at Sopron, Szombathely, and
Szentgotthard. Following the nocturnal cold, the temperature did not rise above
the melting point in many locrlitic?s even during the day. On the 30th, the highest
recording was - 5 degrees at Miskolc, Szombathely, ann. Szentgotthard. Thus, the
usually mild month closed with cold weether.(2)
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RESTRICTED
Distribution of Precipitation
January 1952
29 January - 11 February 1952
The weather was seasonable during most of the period under review. Diurnal
temperatures were a few degrees above the freezing point for several days through-
out the co1uatry and during the remaining days in the largest art or the country.
The temperature ranged mostly Pros one to 4 degrees, rising to 5-8 degrees in
numerous areas on the 1st, while many localities reported 4-5 degrees even after
the 6th. Winter weather prevailed largely along the wastern, northern, and
eastern borders of the country. In the western part of the trans-Danubian
region, the temperature fell to - 4 to - 5 degrees during the noon hours
between 29 and 31 January.
Nocturnal cold was also variable. With the exception of one or two days,
frost was reported every night throughout the country. Measured at 1# meters
from the ground, the temperature was below - 5 degrees during several nights in
a large part of the country. The cold was the most severe in the western megyek,
where the nocturnal temperature was below - 10 degrees from 29 January through
4 February and again on 7, 10, and 11 February. On several nights, temperatures
of - 15 and - 16 degrees were reported along the western border of the country
and - 17 to - 19 degrees at Szentgotthard. The severe cold in the western
megyek was the result of the deep snow cover. Frost ranging from -10 to - 16
degrees, also due to the deep snow cover, occurred in the northwestern and
eastern sections of the country only after 7 February.
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Precipitation, sporadic during the last days of January, was plentiful on
1 February throughout the country, mostly in the form of snow. Thereafter,
precipitation fell practically every day, mostly as snow, and was countrywide
on the 4th, 5th, and 8t::. From 1 to 11 February, precipitation in most parts
of the country exceeded 10 millimeters, ;,mounting to 10-25 millimeters in the
northern mountain region and on the Great Plain, particularly east of the Tisza.
The largest amount of precipitation fell west of the Danube, where some areas
received as much as 25-35 millimeters. As a result, precipitation during the
first 10 days of February was in excess of the average for half of the month.
At the beginning of the period under review, the snow cover measured 20-30
centimeters in depth in the western part and one to 3 centimeters in the eastern
part of the trans-Danubian region, 5-10 centimeters in the northern mountain
region, and one to 4 centimeters in a large part of the Great Plain, while snow
was seen only here and there in the southern megyek. Following the snowfall on
1 February, a fresh snow cover measuring 10-20 centimeters in depth formed in a
large part of the country. Due to repeated snowfalls, diurnal melting, and
occasional rainfalls, the snow cover changed constantly. On 11 February, snow
was reported only in very few localities in the eastern and southeastern areas
of the trans-Danubian region and in the central areas of the Great Plain. The
fields were covered by a snow blanket 10-30 centimeters deep in the western and
northern parts of the trans-Danubian region, 10-20 centimeters in the lower areas
of the northern mountain region, and 10-15 centimeters in most areas east of the
Tieza.(3)
Diurnal temperatures remained one to 2 degrees below the freezing point
during the first week under review in a large part of the trans-Danubian region.
At the same time, 5-8 degrees were reported from the eastern part of the country.
During the second week, the temperature rose above the freezing point throughout
the country, and during the last few days, even 8-10 degrees were reported
during the noon hours in most areas.
Nocturnal cold was milder thvr. a7iring the first 10 days of the month. On
the 17th. 19th, and 21st, the temperature fell below -10 degrees along the
western border and below -13 degrees it the northeast of the country. During
these days, the plants were protecc.;a by a deep snow cover. Elsewhere, the
temperature fell rarely below - ' degrees or even to the freezing point.
Precipitation fell over sm- ).er o: larger areas every day. From the 12th
through the 25th, precipitation. was countrywide on 7 days, while at least half
of the country received some precipitation on 3 days. Most of the precipitation
fell as snow, while rain fell largely east of the Danube. The water content of
snowfalls was the equivalent of 10 to 20 millimeters in large areas, especially
on the 12th, 13th, 15th, and 16th. Yost of this precipitation fell west of the
Danube. The heavy snowfalls and snowdrifts blocked traffic in many parts of the
country.
Precipitation from the 1st to the 25th was in excess of 50 millimeters
throughout the country, amounting to as much as 70-90 millimeters in many
localities along the western border as, for example, near Borzsony. In
practically all other sections of the country, precipitation amounted to 30-50
millimeters. By the 26th, precipitation in most areas was more than double of
the average for the month, particularly in the western part of the trans-Danubian
region, the eastern part of the northern mountain region, and in the eastern
megyek.
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As a result of repeated snowfalls, diurnal melting, and rainfalls, the depth
of the snow cover varied from area to area. Cm the 20th, it measured 50-70
centimeters in the western megyek and in many parts of the northern mountain
region. On the 26th, the snow cover shrank to 10-40 centimeters -in depth in
the western megyek and to 30-50 centimeters in the higher areas of the northern
mountain region. Elsewhere, the snow had largely melted by 26 February.(4)
1 March - 15 April 1952
Unusual weather conditions prevailed during early spring (1 March - 15
April) of 1952, The increase in monthly average temperatures in various parts
of Hungary was as follows (in degrees centigrade)-
Place
Feb
Mar
A
kE
May
1411pyarovar
0.0
6
9.9
15
.1
Budapest
1.0
,3
10.0
16.6
Debrecen
-0.8
5.0
10.3
16.0
Szeged
0.7
6.6
11.4
17.0
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This year, the average temperature for March was 3-4 degrees below normal,
with 1.8 degrees at Magyarovar (3,4 degrees below normal), 2.8 degrees at
Budapest (3.5 degrees below normal), 0.9 degree at Debrecen (4.3 degrees below
normal), and 3.6 degrees at Szeged (3.2 degrees below normal). Similar conditions
prevailed during the first 2 weeks of April.
Three fairly severe cold waves arrived during early spring. The first
arrived on 5 March and lasted for nearly 2 weeks; the second cold wave, much
more severe than the first, arrived on 26 March but lasted only 4 days. The
temperature dropped to the lowest point on the 28th, with freezing weather of
- 5 and - 8 uagrecc +i .'vsral areas. Such weather conditions at the end of
March are rare and occur only approximately once in every 20 years (1931, 19ui,
and 1883).. The third cold wave developed at the beginning of April. During
the entire month of March, diurnal temperatures rose above 10 degrees only six
times and reached 15 degrees on the last day of the month only. Altogether,
there were only nine frost-free nights during March.
The inclement early spring appeared especially unpleasant because it followed
an unusually mild winter. A similarly harsh early spring liter a mild winter
occurs on the average once in 10 years (the last three times in 1944, 1931, and
1915).
Due to the low temperatures, most of the precipitation fell as snow. As
late as 2 April, heavy snowfalls were reported. However, between the frequent
snowfalls, thunderstorms occurred (on 25, 26, 30, and 31 March) in many sections
of the country, and some localities even reported hailstorms.
In searching for a reason for these unusual weather conditions, it was dis-
covered that an exceptionally severe winter reigned over the Arctic Ocean and
parts of Siberia this year. Toward the end of the winter, snow fell repeatedly
in the USSR, and the air over the snow-covered plains cooled off considerably.
At the beginning of March, the temperature in the Ural region was around - 25
to - 30 degrees and in Moscow, - 20 degrees. This cold air gradually moved
westward and covered nearly all of Euro by mid-March. S!ibsequently, a warm
air wave occurred firection not given, without breaking the cold weather and
even causing snowfalls in eastern Europe. The more recent snow cover gave rise
to a new cold wave by the end of March. The warmer temperature between the two
cold waves caused sudden thawing and a rise in the water level of the Danube.
At the end of March, the temperature dropped again to - 20 degrees in Moscow,
and this cold wave likewise penetrated as far as thn Atlantic Ocean to the .oct
and the Mediterranean to the south.
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The unusual weather caused spring to come 6 weeks later than usual. The
first reports of the swarming of bees, for example, were received as late as the
end of March and early April, while migrating birds were seen only here and there,
and the first swallows arrived as late as 30 March.
Due to the unusually long winter and the absence of early spring, agri-
cultural work was delayed to a certain extent. The weather was particularly
unfavorable for early spring sowing and also for the health of the workers.
Lack of vitamins And of ultraviolet rays was felt to a considerable degree.
After the cold season, however, warm weather set in suddenly.(5)
27 February - 13 March 19L2
The weather was mild during the first week of the period under review but
turned unusually cold during the second week.
During the last days of February diurnal temperatures rose to 5-8 degrees
in most areas and continued to rise during the first days of March to 10-13
degrees in most sections and as high as 14 to 15 degrees in the south of the
trans-Danubian region. As a result of a cold air wave which arrived from +'ie
north, the temperature suddenly dropped by 10-15 degrees on 5 March and stood
at -2 to -5 degrees during the noon hours throughout the country during the
following 3 days. This incident was followed by a fresh rise in temperature,
which stood again at 12-13 degrees in numerous areas on the 12th.
Nocturnal cold was also extremely variable. From 27 February to 4 March,
frost was reported from most sections; however, the temperature fell below -5
degrees only in the northeast. The frost became extremely severe on the 5th.
From the 5th to the-7th, temperatures of ?-8 to -10 degrees were reported,
especially from the northern mountain region and from the Great Plain, while
from the 8th to the 10th, the temperature dropped to -10 to -12 degrees in the
trans-Danubian region and elsewhere, In certain localities, temperatures as low
as -14 to -15 degrees occurred. at an altitude of 11 meters from the ground,
which is abnormal in March. The crops were covered by a snow blanket varying
in depth. At dawn on t?., 13th, frost of -1 to -3 degrees was reported only
from the northeastern region.
Precipitation fell frequently, but mostly in small amounts. During the last
days of February, most sections of the county; received one to 5 millimeters'
precipitation, and only the Balcony area received somewhat more. Precipitation
from 1 to 13 March exceeded 10 millimeters only in a small part of the country,
especially in the western part of the trans-Danubian region, some parts of the
northern mountain region, and the Great Plain. Precipitation amounted to only
5-10 millimeters in the largest part of the country but was under 5 millimeters
in many areas. In general, precipitation during the first 10 days of March was
below the normal throughout the country.
Most of the precipitation fell as snow. By 4 March, the deep snow cover
had disappeared in most areas, but the severe frost which set in on the 5th found
a several-centimeter-deep new snow cover. During the following few days, a one-
to 5-centimeter-deep fresh snow cover formed in most localities. By the morning
of the 13th, connected snow covers could be found only in the higher mountain
areas, while elsewhere the snow had mostly melted.(G)
14 - 28 March 1952
During the 2 weeks under review, the weather was very cold as compared with
the average, with nocturnal temperatures particularly low.
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On the 15th, the diurnal temperature was 2-3 degrees in general but sank to
the freezing point east of the Tisza. On the 18th, the temperature was 10-12
degrees and in the southern megyek, 14-16 degrees during the noon hours.
Subsequently, there was another shift in temperature. On the 21st, for
example, the temperature in a large part of the country rose only to 2-5 degrees.
On the 25th, diurnal temperatures were again seasonal at 12-15 degrees and even
reached 17-18 degrees west of the Danube. Severe cold weather set in again on
the 27th, when the high was one to 3 degrees in a large part of the country.
Nocturnal cold also varied and was mostly severe. After the 14th, frost
occurred every night, with on exception. On nine nights, the frost was country-
wide. At an altitude of 11 meters from the ground, the temperature fell below
-5 degrees in large areas on several nights. Temperatures of -10 to -11
degrees were reported from the southern and eastern regions on the 16th and from
the northeast on the 26th.
Surface frost set in on large areas at temperatures below - 10 degrees on
the 25th, 16th, and 20th. On the 16th, the temperature of under -10 degrees
extended to the entire country, with the exception of a few trans-Danubian .megyek
and fell as low as -13 and -14 degrees in several localities. On the 20th,
the temperature fell to -15 degrees around Debrecen.
Precipitation was small until the 14th to the 19th, but fell every day
thereafter. On the 21st, 24th, and 26th, precipitation was countrywide. On +he
26th, the rainfall, particularly in the southern part of the trans-Danubian region
and the eastern part of the northern mountains, amounted to 20 to 30 millimeters
and in certain localities, to as much as 40 millimeters. Thunderstorms occurred
in the western part of the trans-?Danubian region on the 25th and in the largest
part of the Great Plain on the 26th. Even a hailstorm was reported from Somogyvar.
Precipitation fell mostly as rain and in a small part as snow. The snow
cover in the plain regions melted. The higher mountainous areas, on the other
hand, were covered by a 10- to 15-centimeter-deep snow blanket as late as the
morning c^ the 28th.
From 1 to 27 March, precipitation totaled 20 to 30 millimeters in the
largest part of the country and as much as 40 to 60 millimeters in the southern
part of the trans-Danubian region and the Sajo-Hernad region in the north. Less
th!p!? 20 millimeters fell only in a few areas between the Danube and the Tisza
during this pallod.(7)
29 March - 15 April 1952
The cold weather which had reigned in preceding weeks was followed by
considerably warmer temperatures during the period under review. Diurnal temper-
atures at first shoved great variations and then rose rapidly. Warm weather
of 15 to 20 degrees set in suddenly during the last days of March, and the
temperature advanced to 25 to 26 degrees in many localities on 1 April. On the
following day, however, the temperature fell over 15 degrees and stood at 4 to 5
degrees during the noon hours. After a gradual rise, the diurnal temperature
reached, on the 8th, 15 degrees, which is normal for this season of the year.
Subsequently, the temperature continued to rise and advanced above 20 degrees in
many localities after the 10th, reaching 25 to 26 degrees throughout the country
on the 14th.
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Parallel with the rise of diurnal temperatures, the nocturnal cold abated
gradually. From 29 March tr 9 April, nocturnal frost of - 1 to -3 degrees was
reported repeatedly. However, this frost, measured at an altitude of 1~ meters
from the ground, extended to a larger area only on the night from the 3d to the
4th. Surface frost occurred on smaller or larger areas practically every night.
During the night from the 3d to the 4th, the frost was countrywide and the
temperature dropped to - 4 to - 5 degrees in a large area. On the 13th, even
surface frost disappeared.
Precipitation fell in small amounts over the largest part of the country.
In several sections of the Great Plain, and especially in the trans-Danubian
region, precipitation during the 2 weeks under review was generally under 50
percent and here and there under 25 percent of normal.
The warm a::d dry weather was very favorable for the development of plants,
as well as for plowing and sowing.(8)
29 April - 12 May 1952
The unusually warm weather continued during the period under review. In
numerous sections of the country, precipitation was much more plentiful than in
the preceding weeks.
Diurnal warming vas unusually great. Following a minor fall in temperature
on 26 April, summer weather of 25 to 27 degrees prevailed again during the last
days of April. The unusually warm weather extended over the entire country on
May. By the 11th, the temperature reached 25 to 29 degrees in practically all
sections of Hungary, rising to 30 degrees in the central and southern parts of
the Great Plain on the 5th.
The nights were also much milder than usual. Nocturnal temperatures re-
mained mostly above 10 degrees, with minima of 15 degrees in many areas on
numerous nights. On the nights from the 4th to the 5th and from the 11th to
the 12th, the temperature was 16 to 18 degrees in many localities.
Surface temperature fell below 5 degrees (to a minimum of 3 degrees) only
during the last days of April, while the minimum was mostly around 10 degrees
from 1 to 12 May.
The warm weather during April was quite unusual. In many sections of the
country, the average temperature for the month exceeded the record high for the
last 50 to 80 years. In Budapest, for example, a similarly warm April had not
been recorded for 110 years.
Due to the thunderstorms and showers, the geographical distribution of the
precipitation was extremely uneven. During the last days of April, the rainfall
was limited in area and amounted to only a few millimeters. The situation was
much better in May, when it rained every day from the 1st to the 11th in many
parts of the country. On each of the 6 days from the 5th through the 11th,
excepting the 8th, at least half of the country received precipitation in varying
amounts. During several days, the precipitation amounted to 10 and even as much
as 20 millimeters in some areas, while on the 11th, a shower resulted in 50 to
70 millimeters, precipitation around Borzsony. At the same time, adjacent areas
received much less precipitation, in accordance with the peculiarity of thunder-
storms and showers.
The geographic distribution of precipitation from 1 to 11 May was very
spotty. In large sections of the trans-Danubian region, total precipitation was
in excess of 20 and even 30 millimeters as, for example, at Szekesfehervar (46
millimeters) and Koszeg (43 millimeters). However, some parts of Somogy and
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Tolna megyek received only 2-5 millimeters, while moat of the northern mountain
region had 20 millimeters and here and there as much as 50 to 60 millimeters
(Balassagyarmxt 67 millimeters and Kiralyret 64 millimeters). On the Great
Plain, as in the trans-Danubian region, large areas received 20 to 30 millimeters'
precipitation, with 40 to 60 millimeters recorded in the bordering areas (Nagykata
41, Lorinci 41, and Galgamacea 81 millimeters). On the other hand, only one to
5 millimeters fell in the southern part of the Great Plain (Baia and Kalocsa,
one millimeter; Bacaalmas, Mako, and Izsak, 2 millimeters; and Oroshaza 4 milli-
meters).
In the areas where precipitation was plentiful from the let to the 11th,
the rainfall exceeded the averages for the period. in the drier areas of the
trans-Danubian region and or the Great Plain, on the other hand, precipitation
was less than one fourth of the averages for the 11 days.
Following an unusually warm and dry April, the May rains were very beneficial
to the crops.(9)
13 - 28 May 3.952
The unusually warm weather prevailing in preceding weeks was followed by
unusually cold temperatures during the period under re,:lew.
Generally, diurnal temperatures were very low. Summer weather ranging from
25 to 30 degrees during the preceding weeks was followed by an 8- to 10-degree
fall in temperature on tile 13th as a result of an incoming cold wave direction
not given7. Dur to repeated cold waves, the temperature continued to fall, and
diurnal temperatures rose only to 10 to 14 degrees for several days. After the
24th, the weather became gradually warmer and on the 27th, the temperature
reached 20 to 22 degrees during the noofl hours in most parts of the country.
Nocturnal cold was extremely severe. Frost, at an altitude of 1j meters
from 'he ground, occurred in numerous areas from the 18th to the 23d, particularly
in the southwestern part of the trans-Danubian region, in the northern mountain
region, and east of the Tiara. Measured at an altitude of 1f' meters from the
ground, the temperature fell to -3 degrees in Baranya Megye and around Debrecen.
The frost stopped after the 23d, and nocturnal temperatures on the 26th and 27th
did not fall below 6 and 10 degrees, respectively.
Surface frost extending over at least half of the country occurred every
night from the 18th to the 231 and over the entire country on the 21st. The
temperature in most areas ranged from -1 to -3 degrees; it fell as low as -5
degrees around Debrecen and to -6 to -7 degrees at Siklos (Baranya Megye) on
the surface. Frost in the second half of May has occurred in F.unga y over
limited areas before. This years May frost was unusual, particularly because
it extended over the entire country for a long period (6 days), was extremely
severe in the south, and hit the crops in an advanced stage of development.
Precipitation fell frequently. On the 12th, 16th, 19th, 24th, and 25th,
the rain was countrywide, and on the 13th, 15th, and 26th, it rained over at
least half of the country. The precipitation fell in part during thunderstorms,
and on the 17th, 19th, 21st, 25th, 26th, and 27th, hailstorms occurred, partic-
ularly in the trans-Danubian region.
Apart from isolated areas, precipitation from 1 to 27 May exceeded 30 milli-
meters everywhere; however, most areas received over 50 millimeters and many
localities as much as 75 millimeters, while certain storm centers reported over
100 millimeters as, for example, Ragyogohid (pee M-T,M), 139; Pzl^,?~--'sn lOs; and Budapest, 100 millimeters. U tothe tththecra,fall
p 27th, the rainfall
in the western part of the trans-Danubian region, northeast of Lake Balaton,
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around Borzsony, as well as over one third of the Great Plain, amounted to more
than the total average for May. In other sections of the country, the rainfall
was between 50 and.100 percent of the average.(10)
29 May - 10 June 1952
The weather during the period under review was characterized by varying
temperature and frequent rains.
The diurnal temperature was extremely variable. During the last 10 days of
May, the weather became gradually warmer and on the 31st, summer weather of
25 to 28 degrees set in, advancing to 30 to 33 degrees between 1 and 3 June.
Thereafter, the heat abated and the temperature generally did not rise above
20 to 24 degrees.
Nocturnal cold was also variable. During the last days of May, the temper-
ature fell to 8 to 10 degrees at night. During the first days of June, nocturnal
temperatures were around 15 degrees but later fell to 8 to 10 degrees in some
localit?ee.
Precipitation fell frequently. On the 28th and 29th, the rain was country-
wide and on the Stith, it rained in numerous areas. During the first 10 days of
June, the rain was countrywide on the 3d, 7th, and 9th, and approximately half
of the country received rainfall on the 4th and 8th. Due to the storms character
of the rains, the geographic distribution of precipitation was uneven.
Between 1 and 10 June, the rainfall was generally in excess of 10 millimeters,
amounting to over 20 millimeters in numerous areas throughout the country, while
in certain storm areas, it exceeded 50 millimeters. Rainy weather set in again
on the llth.
Moot of the precipitation fell in form of thundershowers, while hailstorms
were infrequent (at Jaezapati on the 3d and at Szolnck on the Gth). The frequent
rains were beneficial to the development of the crops.(11)
Ibid., Vol VII, No 8, 16 Apr 52
Ibid., Vol VII, No 9-10, 16 May 52 (by Istvan Kilin)
Ibid., Vol :sl, No 11, 1 Jun 52
8.
9.
10.
SOURCES
1. Termeezet as Technika, Vol CLX, No 2, Feb 52 (by Zoltan 0zorai).
2. Ibid., Vol CLX, No 3, Mar 52 (by Zoltan Ozorai)
3. Magyar Mezogazdaeag, Vol VII, No 4, 16 Feb 52 (by Istven Kulin)
4. Ibid., Vol VII, No 5, 1 Mar 52 (by Ostvan Kulin)
5. Termaezet as Technika, Vol CXL, No 5, May 52 (by Alfred Zach)
.6. Magyar Mesogazdaseg, Vol VII, No 6, 16 Mar 52 (by Istven Kulin)
7. Ibid., Vol VII, No 7, 1 Apr 52 (by Istvan IO,.lin)
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