München - Germany is set to experience persistent drought and minimal sunshine throughout the autumn of 2024, attributed to a weather pattern known as the Omega High. This phenomenon occurs when a high-pressure area spreads across Europe in a shape resembling the Greek letter Omega. According to Dominik Jung, a meteorologist from wetter.net, this situation leads to a blockage of weather fronts, resulting in almost no rain.
The stable weather conditions bring dry air masses and hinder any significant weather changes. For the fall season, this translates to weeks characterized by stillness: little wind, scant rainfall, and limited sunshine, particularly in mountainous regions.
As drought conditions persist, soil moisture continues to diminish, and fine dust levels may rise in urban areas due to the lack of air movement under high-pressure systems. Jung emphasizes that without rain and wind, air quality typically worsens. Even in higher altitudes, the feared Omega High leads to unusually dry conditions, lacking the customary cooling effects of changing weather.
The Omega High phenomenon is not exclusive to autumn; it frequently results in extended dry spells and uncomfortable cold during winter months. Jung notes that during the darker seasons, people often feel 'trapped' as temperatures can drop to frosty levels while maintaining clear skies and dry days with little snowfall. Such stagnant conditions pose significant challenges for cities, where the lack of wind prevents air quality from improving, posing health risks, especially for individuals with pre-existing conditions.