In the master thesis we investigate the frequency, length and intensity of heat waves and their coincidence with drought periods at five meteorological stations across Slovenia (Ljubljana - Bežigrad, Maribor - Tabor, Murska Sobota - Rakičan, Celje - Medlog in Novo mesto). Definition of a heat wave by Slovenian Meteorological Society is a period, in which the average daily air temperature for at least 3 consecutive days exceeds the limit value of the daily average air temperature in a given area. All five stations belong to the continental climate zone, so we used a 24 °C limit for all stations. Statistical analysis of temperature data from 1961 to 2015 showed increase in the frequency, length and intensity of heat waves. We also found a positive trend of days with an average daily air temperature increase. Extremely high air temperatures in Slovenia have been more frequent in recent years, but most of them occurred in years 2003 and 2013. Dry periods are defined as the period when the water balance is negative. In the statistical analysis of water balance we note that the trend is negative for all stations. Drought periods have been more frequent in Slovenia in the recent years,, the driest years were 1993 and 2003. Longer and more intense heat waves, combined with drought periods, have negative consequences on agricultural production and agricultural workers.
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