Hailstorm risk assessment for crop areas in Moldova Region (Romania)

Abstract

Estimating the impact of hail on agricultural land is needed in order to streamline damage reduction methods. In this regard, hail risk maps were prepared for the region of Moldova for the main types of crops (wheat and rye, corn, potato, sugar beet, sunflower, vegetables, orchards and vineyards). The methodology that we used consists in determining the risk map, as the product between the hazard map (average annual number of days with hail), the exposure map (agricultural crop value) and the vulnerability map (the percentage occupied by a certain agricultural crop in the administrative units). Areas with severe hail risk are in the eastern half of Vrancea County, the western part of Galati County and the northeastern part of Iasi County, where there are large areas cultivated with vines, orchards and vegetables. In Vaslui County, the most exposed ATUs are those in the vicinity of Bârlad, Fălciu Hills and the Huși wine area. Most AUs in Bacău and Suceava counties, in the southern part of Neamț County, are included in the medium and high-risk classes due to the suitable conditions for cultivating most plants and the higher frequency of hail. The ATUs from Botosani County are included in the low and medium risk classes. The lowest level of risk is registered in the case of AUs from the mountainous area, the Curvature Subcarpathians and the areas with higher altitudes from the Central Moldavian Plateau and Tutova Hills.

Mapping the effects of the 23 July 2020 hailstorm that occurred in Suceava, Romania

“…The average time of day in which hail episodes occur is 13-15 UTC for the same area and period. On average, most risk prone cultures in the area are potato and beet, while corn, sunflower, wheat and orchards are the least affected (Istrate et al, 2021). The extent of the area studied was directly dependent on the limit of the destruction caused by hailstone and wind gusts during the storm (Fig.…”

“…Hailstorms and winds are natural hazards that can cause significant damage to crops, trees (Istrate et al, 2021), buildings and infrastructure (ACSE, 2016). On 23 July 2020, a violent hail storm with strong wind gusts capable of uprooting trees and damage crops took place in the city of Suceava, Northern Romania, an area where events of such magnitude are infrequent (Tănasă, 2011) and, when they do occur, are poorly documented.…”

Characteristics of Convective Parameters Derived from Rawinsonde and ERA5 Data Associated with Hailstorms in Northeastern Romania

“…Numerous areas with a high hail risk [38] determined the implementation of hail suppression technologies in the studied area. This study addresses the use of short-term hail forecasting methods in the northeastern part of Romania.…”