Motto: Nature and legend  in the region of Hercules

 

Weather now in Herculane:

 

 

 

        

   

        Due to its geographical position, the Cerna basin (hydrographic basin) is mostly under the west and southwest atmospheric circulation. Thus, except the national park's northern sector (the high parts of the Godeanu Mountains and partial sections of the Cerna Mountains), wet air of Mediterranean and Oceanic origin influences the area.  These conditions occur especially in winter and determine larger values of the air temperature than in other parts of the country.

            During summer the thermal instability is higher. Because of this, lightning storms are more frequent.

            The Mediterranean cyclones transport humid air.  This humid air turns into orographic precipitation when it reaches the mountains of the Cerna basin. This phenomenon is more frequent in November and December when heavy rains are falling. In the cold season, the Siberian anti-cyclone can be felt; which produces snowfalls and blizzards in the Cerna basin. These usually have a short duration and low intensity.

            On the surface of the park there are a series of topo-climates due to the following characteristics:

-        Cerna Valley is protected by high mountain massifs, especially in the north section,

-        lithological variety,

-        increased fragmentation of the relief, 

-        numerous steep areas; many of these are rock cliffs,

-        vegetation coverage level.

            The relief drops in the form of stairs, from more than 2000m to 168m, in the area of Baile Herculane.  This drop in altitude determines the variety of the annual average temperatures. This varies from 0⁰ C on the heights of Godeanu Mountains to 11⁰C  in the low area of the basin.

            In Baile Herculane, even though it is situated in the mountain region, the multi-annual average temperature is 10,5 degrees C.  This is the same average temperature as Campia Romana, Central Dobrogea and Campia Crisana. 

            The variation of the air's temperature in height modifies from one season to another (even from one  month to another). The biggest differences are during the coldest or warmest months.

            The fluctuation of the isotherms influenced the soil formation and the disposal of the vegetation in different levels. In these areas, beech forests often grow below the alpine vegetation level. 

            Characteristically, this area is marked by an early spring.  Often, the change from Winter to Spring is sudden and is the result of the alternation of warm and cold air invasions.

In the superior parts of the Cerna basin the process that brings Spring is longer  and moves slowly,  that is why the hydrographic network is supplied with water from the slow melt of snow.

            The variations of the precipitation is related to the altitude and are accentuated at 1600-2000 m. Above 2000 m, low temperatures and less humid air creates small quantity precipitation.

            The annual repartition of the precipitation presents two annual maximums and minimums. This is due to the Oceanic and Mediterranean influences.  Due to the Mediterranean influence, the humid air masses are being canalized on the Cerna river, increasing humidity and causing high quantities of precipitation in Cerna village and on the heights of Cerna's superior basin (up to 1200-1300 m).  

            Due to the “valley effect” in Baile Herculane, the summer’s maximum temperature is recorded earlier than in Toplet and Orsova..  Also, in Cerna village the maximum temperature is recorded earlier than in Cerna's inferior basin.

            As mentioned before, on the surface of the Cerna basin, there are different topo-climates. These are due to the south/southwest orientation, enlargement of the Cerna's superior basin and perpendicular position of the secondary summits.