The Climatic Water Deficit in South Oltenia Using the Thornthwaite Method/Deficitul de apa climatic în sudul Olteniei folosind Metoda Thornthwaite

Understanding the dryness and drought phenomena is fundamental in explaining the landscape features and the rational use of water resources in a region. The authors aim to assess the climatic water deficit in one of the most sensitive regions in Romania in terms of aridity: Southern Oltenia. Defining and characterizing the intense aridity was done based on the Thornthwaite method under a multi-annual regime (1961-2007) and during the growing season (April-October) in order to reveal the climate suitability for human activity and the optimum conditions for the main crops. In southern Oltenia the Thornthwaite aridity index values (%) defines an arid area, increasing from north to south and south-west from 40%-45% to 50%. The highest values displaying a pronounced aridity cover a significant part of the Blahnita Plain, Desnatui Plain, Southern Romanati Plain (Dabuleni Field), the Jiu Valley and the entire Danube Plain (about 65% of the entire surface).