Extreme heat fuelled by climate change is intensifying drought across Europe by drawing moisture from soils, rivers and vegetation, according to new analysis by the World Weather Attribution (WWA) consortium.
The study found record-breaking heatwaves made the hot atmosphere far more effective at evaporating water, with these conditions made 80 times more likely in western Europe and 40 times more likely in eastern Europe because of global warming.
Researchers said the climate crisis is changing the nature of drought in Europe, with high temperatures now playing a greater role than low rainfall. Despite a wet winter in western Europe, the region is experiencing what scientists classify as an “extreme” drought.
The impacts are already being felt across the continent. Water restrictions have been introduced in several countries, wildfires have spread through Spain and France and farmers face major crop losses, including what is expected to be France’s worst maize harvest in 50 years.
Low river levels are also reducing hydropower generation and disrupting cargo transport, with scientists warning the combined effects could increase food and energy prices.
Dr Dominik Schumacher of ETH Zurich said: “We now see an enhanced tendency for unusual soil drying already in spring, before summer has even begun. That is our own doing: as temperatures climb, the atmosphere’s thirst increases quickly, sucking moisture out of rivers, lakes, reservoirs and the soil.”
The researchers warned that worsening droughts could become even more common without rapid emissions cuts. They found the current conditions are occurring at around 1.4C of global warming and could become twice as likely if temperatures rise to 2.8C.
The analysis covered western Europe from April to June and eastern Europe over the past 12 months, concluding that human-induced climate change made the 2026 drought significantly more severe.
Brits, especially living in the south and north Wales, are facing a potential drought declaration this week as the third heatwave of the summer begins.
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