This will require farmers to use more pesticides, though crop yield is still likely to decrease. The past 14 days have seen unusually high temperatures, says Gregor Gregorič of the Slovenian Environment Agency (ARSO).

ARSO reports that recent temperatures had been recorded as 3 to 5 degrees Celsius higher than usual. What’s really unusual is that thunderstorms with hail already hit Slovenia in May. The coast and the South-East of the country, on the other hand, have seen below-average precipitation in April. Just because thunderstorms are frequent, it doesn’t mean that crops will get enough water.

“Most of the water fell during intense thunderstorms. The water is not absorbed adequately, so it doesn’t benefit crops,” said Gregorčič. Warm and humid weather does spur crop growth; however, it also encourages pests and diseases.

“It negatively affects fruit and wine production. Potatoes and grains are also affected. It’s more difficult to kill weeds in corn fields because they are soggy,” said Iris Škerbot of the Celje Institute of Agriculture and Forestry. High humidity also poses a problem in greenhouses. This requires farmers to use more pesticides, even though experts have urged them to engage in preventive measures instead.

Since weather conditions are not expected to change anytime soon, experts have also urged farmers to carefully monitor their fields and use amino acid-based fertilizers on hail-damaged crops.