Expert: Is climate change in Hungary more drastic than elsewhere?

As global warming reshapes climates worldwide, Hungary is witnessing profound changes in its weather patterns and agricultural practices. Due to the climate change in Hungary, once snowy winters are becoming rare, summers are increasingly scorching, and vineyards are transitioning from white to red wine production.

Shifting climate in Hungary

Climate change, driven by global warming, has profoundly altered weather patterns around the world. As Szeretlek Magyarország writes, although a little snow falls each year, briefly turning streets and landscapes white, Hungarian winters are no longer characteristically snowy. Conversely, summers have become increasingly hotter, with record-breaking temperatures becoming the norm.

Remarkably, banana trees have started to grow in the gardens of several homes, a clear indication of the climate change in Hungary. Initially surprising, the sight of these tropical plants has become more common and accepted over the years. Over the last decade, global warming has become a tangible disaster, profoundly affecting daily life. Climate scientist Péter Szabó explains the expectations regarding climate change in Hungary and the adaptations needed.

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Will the current heatwave stay?

Hungary has been experiencing the hottest temperatures in Europe, a situation influenced by global warming. This persistent heat is due to warm frontal air trapped above the country, unable to dissipate because of cyclones in Western Europe that push warm air from the south to the north. These cyclones are held at bay by a blocking anticyclone, which causes prolonged heat waves and disrupts the usual west-to-east airflow.

According to the expert, this is not an anomaly we must prepare for annually, but it highlights the broader trend of rising average temperatures, leading to more frequent hot days. Despite Hungary’s traditionally sheltered position within the Carpathian Basin, the temperature rise here has surpassed the global average.

Climate models

In Hungary, climate models run by institutions like HungaroMet and ELTE’s Department of Meteorology are adapted and tested for reliability by comparing their outputs with historical data. Projections indicate that Hungarian winters in the 2040s and 2050s will become significantly milder, with extremely cold temperatures disappearing and the ski season becoming a distant memory. Due to the climate change in Hungary, the growing season will start earlier, potentially leading to more spring frosts, while the decrease in frosty days may allow pathogens to thrive, necessitating the planting of more resistant plant species.

Adapting to the climate change in Hungary

Agriculture is already adapting to climate change in Hungary, shifting from white to red wine production as heat levels rise, with future climates expected to favour Malaga wines. Adaptation may require breeding new grape varieties rather than relocating vineyards. When it comes to human adaption, air conditioning remains essential, especially in densely populated areas like Budapest, where average summer temperatures hover around 30 degrees Celsius. However, the expert warns people not to set the AC below 27 degrees Celsius, as the indoor-outdoor temperature difference has bad effects on the human body.

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