Hungary climate change impacts intensify, KSH report shows

The Hungarian Central Statistical Office (KSH) has released an interactive publication detailing the impacts of climate change in Hungary. The report highlights that while efforts to mitigate emissions and adapt to changing conditions are increasing, the effects of climate change are also intensifying.

Data shows a significant rise in average temperatures, with summer mean temperatures increasing by more than 2 degrees Celsius between 1901 and 2025. Heatwaves have become more frequent and prolonged. Notably, the number of tropical nights—where the minimum temperature does not fall below 20 degrees Celsius—has risen from an average of 2–3 per year before 2000 to 16 nights recorded two years ago.

Precipitation patterns have also shifted. While total annual precipitation has not changed significantly, the distribution of rainfall has altered; the number of rainy days has decreased by an average of 22 days over the last century, though heavy rainfall events occurring in short periods have become more frequent. These changes are particularly impacting agriculture, with increasing drought intensity, especially in the Great Plain (Alföld) region.