Vincent Humphrey, from MétéoSuisse: 'Without Substantial Rainfall, the Drought Could Become Locally Very Critical'

Europe is grappling with a severe drought that is drying up rivers, fueling wildfires, and causing significant agricultural losses. Switzerland is not immune to this phenomenon, with its western plateau, Jura region, and the northern slopes of the eastern Alps experiencing extreme rainfall deficits ranging from 60% to nearly 90%.

A new report released by the World Weather Attribution (WWA) consortium, involving scientists from twelve countries including Switzerland, highlights the role of climate change in exacerbating this drought. The study indicates that the current episode has been made significantly more probable due to global warming.

Vincent Humphrey, deputy head of the national drought platform at MétéoSuisse and a co-author of the report, explains the scale of the crisis. He notes that without substantial rainfall, the drought conditions could become locally critical. The report underscores the tangible impacts of climate change on weather patterns, leading to more frequent and intense extreme events.

The situation demands urgent attention as the prolonged lack of precipitation affects ecosystems, water resources, and economic activities. The scientific findings reinforce the need for robust climate adaptation strategies and global efforts to mitigate climate change.

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Without substantial rainfall, the drought could become locally very critical.