Climate of Hungary

The climate of the Carpathian Basin reflects the combined characteristics of the neighbouring regions. Despite of the small area and the modest orographic differences of the country, the climate elements (e.g. solar radiation, temperature or precipitation conditions) have distinctive spatial and temporal characters. The result of climatic measurements and the differences in the values will be described in this chapter. Besides, the agro-economical (e.g. drought hazard) and environmental resource potential of the climate (e.g. wind energy utilization) will be introduced. The latest will be described in detail (e.g. recreational potentials and skiing, are limited in natural conditions), as well as the renewable energy sources. Based on estimations, the potential amount of solar radiation (72 PJ,), wind energy (46 PJ), geothermal energy (50 PJ) and biomass (120 PJ) is far higher than the actual usage of these energy resources, which altogether is lower than 10 PJ, if the biomass usage (ca. 52 PJ) is not accounted. In this chapter, the special climate characters of the cities will be analysed too. Slightly detailed description is provided on the potentials (mountainous medical locations) and hazards of the climate (e.g. rainstorm hazard, heat stress, increasing extremities). The past and future climate changes of the Basin are also analysed.