Drought in Europe: Extreme heat, not just lack of rain, is the main concern, experts say

While Europe has long grappled with insufficient rainfall during spring and summer, a new analysis reveals that extreme heat, amplified by climate change, is now the principal cause of droughts across the continent. The World Weather Attribution (WWA) study highlights that rising temperatures significantly accelerate soil drying and water loss, regardless of precipitation levels.

Scientists found that soil drought in Western Europe has become approximately five times more probable due to climate change. The situation is even more severe in Eastern Europe, where dry conditions have persisted for six months, making soil drought around 11 times more likely than in a pre-industrial climate.

These intensifying heatwaves and persistent droughts are leading to substantial agricultural losses, with farmers in regions like France and Romania facing some of the worst harvests in years. The impact extends to critical infrastructure, as historically low water levels in major rivers disrupt water transport and threaten energy production.

Dr. Sarah Kew, a climatologist at the Royal Netherlands Meteorological Institute (KNMI), emphasized the rapidly changing nature of European drought patterns. "Europe's climate is changing rapidly. Although the situation regarding rainfall varies by region, our results show that extreme heat is becoming the main driver of drought on our continent," she stated. The analysis indicates that conditions favoring intense evaporation are now about 80 times more likely in Western Europe and about 40 times more likely in Eastern Europe compared to a climate without current warming levels.

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Europe's climate is changing rapidly. Although the situation regarding rainfall varies by region, our results show that extreme heat is becoming the main driver of drought on our continent.