PRECIPITATION REGIME IN SERBIA
(standard normal period 1961-1990)

Past precipitatiion extremes since the beginning of measuring:

The driest year was 2000 when only 223.1 mm was measured in Kikinda

The rainest was 2014 when even 1515.5 mm was measured in Zlatibor

The highest monthly precipitation quantity was registered in May 2014. in Donja Orovica Mitrovica, 487.3 mm

The highest daily precipitation quantity of 211.1 mm was registered in 10 October 1955 in Negotin

Precipitation is one of the most important climate elements. Judging by the atmospheric processes and relief characteristics, precipitation over the territory of Serbia are unevenly distributed in time and space. Normal annual precipitation sum for the whole country amounts to 896 mm. Annual precipitation quantities increase in average with altitude. Dry areas with precipitation below 600 mm are in the northeastern part of the country as well as in the valley of the Juzna Morava and part of Kosovo. The area consisting of Podunavlje, valley of  the Velika Morava and its continuation towards Vranje and Dimitrovgrad have up to 650 mm of precipitation during the year. Going south, in the area of Homoljske mountain, annual precipitation sum reach the values near  800 mm. It is also similar  in the southeastern mountainous regions of Serbia. Bigger and more compact area towards west and southwest is the rainiest region of Serbia. Towards Pesterska visoravan and Kopaonik the values rise up to 1000 mm annually, and some mountainous summits in the southwest of Serbia have heavier precipitation even over 1000 mm.

Major part of Serbia has continental precipitation regime with higher quantities in warmer part of the year. Majority of rains fall in June and May. In June there is 12 to 13% of total annual precipitation sum. February and October have the least precipitation when in average there is 5 to 6% of total annual precipitation quantity. Due to the relief, slopes of high mountainous ranges and the influence of Mediterranean climate, the area of south western Serbia has the Mediterranean precipitation regime with the maximum in November, December and January, and the minimum in August.

In the Figure 1 and 2, annual changes in average precipitation quantities for the period 1961-1990, for Palic (the station with continental precipitation regime) and Negotin (the station without typical precipitation regime).

The occurrence of snow cover is characteristic for the period from November to March, and sometimes even in April and October, while on mountains over 1000 m it can  also occur  in other months. The majority of days with snow cover is in January when in average 30 to 40% of total annual number of days with snow cover occur.

Documents for download:

  Precipitation regime in Serbia