Republic of Moldova

The Republic of Moldova is a small country situated in the Southeast part of Europe, neighbouring Romania to the west and Ukraine to the east. Moldova has a population of 4363000 million and population density is 129 persons per square kilometer for the total area of 33,8 thousand square kilometers.

Moldova is located in a zone with a temperate continental climate. The four seasons of the year are clearly defined, winter being warm with little snow, and summer long, with a lot of sunny days. Therefore Moldova is called sunny because of 2060-2300 hours of sunshine and 280-300 sunny days per year. Precipitation amount in warm season ranges between 480-620 mm/year. Average monthly temperature varies between -3 -5 0 C in January and 19-22 0 C in July, the average annual temperature in the country is 8-100 C.

The terrain of Moldova is characterized mainly by hilly steeps. Forest covers 10 % of the total area and is concentrated mainly in the Codru region. The Nistru River is the main source of water and the Prut River is the second. Both rivers rise in the Carpathian Mountains.

Fertile cernozem soils (that cover 75 % of the territory) and favorable climate conditions determined the economic predominance of agriculture. Due to this climate of Moldova always attracted attention of many scientists. First meteorological observations have a very long history. 

The history of the State Hydrometeorological Service dates back to 1844 when the first meteorological observations were carried out in Chisinau. Thirty years later the first hydrological post on the Nistru River (year 1878) in Tighina was established as well as meteorological observations were initiated on 5 meteorological posts in Briceni (1887), Soroca (1880), Comrat (1892), Ploti (1894) and Tiraspol (1898). At the end of XIX century there were 11 meteorological stationary posts and 6 hydrological posts. But observations were not taken regularly, being interrupted by the First and Second World Wars.  

 In October 1944, the Hydrometeorological Administration of the Republic of Moldova was established to ensure regular hydrometeorological observations. Additionally, in the framework of the Administration, the Meteorology Office was organized and included hydrological and meteorological forecasting groups. Meteorology Office carried out not only activities on methodology applied by the Central Forecasting Institute (Moscow) and adapted to local conditions but also elaborated new methodologies. A valuable contribution is made by Mr. P. Panteleev, head of the Office. At present over 10 forecasting methods (downpour, squall, hailstone, storm, etc.) developed by him are used at local and international levels.  

 Hydrological forecasting group developed methods of hydrological forecasting for the Prut and Nistru rivers. In 1950 the first flood forecast was issued and in 1953 the first flood discharge forecast was issued.  

During the post-war period old stations were restored, new stations were established and new observation methods were elaborated. In 1946 in Chsinau the first radiosonde was launched. For a long time atmospheric sounding was made occasionally, but since the Aerological Station was opened in 1957 it became regular. In 1953 the Hydrological Balance Station was established and Hydrological Station in Dubasari basin was opened in 1957. In 1954 radiation background observations started.

For agricultural purposes the agrometeorological observation network is being extended particularly to determine available soil moisture (from 3 post in 1947 to 24 post in 1963). In middle of 50-s hydrometeorological network reached its optimum allocation density. Hydrometeorological network development required permanent methodical guideline and therefore a number of hydrometeorological data generalizing activities have been undertaken. For this purpose the Hydrometeorological Observatory was established in 1956 (reorganized in Hydrometeorological Centre in 1982) to ensure methodical guidance of observation network, equipment provision, development of new observation methods, generalization of hydrometeorological observation data in monthly reports, yearbooks and guidelines. Observatory published several monographs: “Climate of Soviet Republic of Moldavia”, „Climate of Chisinau”, „Agroclimatic resources of Soviet Republic of Moldavia”, “Agroclimatic reference book of Soviet Republic of Moldavia”, „Natural meteorological disasters in Ukraine and Moldova” (in collaboration with the Institute of Geography of the Academy of Sciences).

Environmental pollution monitoring started in 1950 by study of hydrochemical regime of two rivers at 5 posts. Actually, volume of these activities has considerably increased. Observations by 45 indicators are taken at 32 posts on 13 rivers and 3 basins. Since 1976 the surface water quality monitoring by 5 hydrobiological indicators is carried out.

Air pollution monitoring started in 1969 at 3 stationary posts in Chisinau. The number of observed components increased from 4 to 7.

 Air pollution forecasts are issued since 1979. Soil quality monitoring was generated by use of chemicals in agriculture and pesticide amount being controlled. This monitoring began in 1976 and laboratories on soil pollution monitoring have been organized in the country.

The Hydrometeorological Service became independent at the same time when the Republic of Moldova obtained independence. In 1994 the Hydrometeorological Service represents the Republic of Moldova in the World Meteorological Organization, in 1993 becomes member of the Intergovernmental Council for Hydrometeorology of the Commonwealth of Independent States and takes part in the international programmes and agreements (Framework Convention on Climate Change, Convention on Co-operation for the Protection and Sustainable Use of the River Danube, Convention on Long-range Transboundary Air Pollution, UN Convention to Combat Desertification).  

 Social and economic changes forced the Hydrometeorological Service to conclude contracts with commercial organizations and economic agents – potential users of hydrometeorological information. Marketing studies are being carried out in order to increase the volume of services rendered and to find efficient reasonable means to meet users demands.