The river basin of the Danube includes glacier-covered mountains, mountain chains of intermediate height covered by forest, highlands and uplands, table lands, plateaus with deeply carved river valleys, and wide plains and depressions. Due to the elongated shape of the river basin in the west–east direction and diverse relief features, the climatic conditions are variable. With respect to climate, the catchment extends from the western regions of the upper Danube, with a strong Atlantic influence, to the eastern territories affected by continental climate. In the Drava (Drau) and Sava basins the climate is influenced by the Mediterranean Sea. Average annual air temperature ranges from −6.2 to +12°C.
The hydrological regime is substantially influenced by precipitation. Average annual precipitation fluctuates within the range from 3000 mm in the high mountains to 400 mm in the delta region. The estimated mean annual evaporation is between 100 and 700 mm.
The hydrographical stream system...
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Starosolsky, Ö. (1998). Danube river: Development. In: Encyclopedia of Hydrology and Lakes. Encyclopedia of Earth Science. Springer, Dordrecht . https://doi.org/10.1007/1-4020-4497-6_54
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