London / RankWire.AI / – A detailed scientific review confirms human actions are directly responsible for the severe dry conditions now impacting Europe. It clearly shows that climate change is worsening the drought across the continent. An international team of researchers found that extreme heat, not just low rainfall, is the main cause of the unusually dry environment. Currently, rivers are dried up, water restrictions are strict, and wildfires are devastating parts of Europe after a historic heatwave in June. The new research indicates that the hotter climate speeds up moisture loss from soils, lakes, and rivers, greatly increasing the chances of extreme dryness. Spring saw below-average rainfall, but the heat caused by climate change made the drought much worse.
The World Weather Attribution group released a study explaining how rising temperatures are draining natural water sources. Mariam Zachariah from Imperial College London said the drought isn’t mainly due to less rain but because a warmer atmosphere pulls more moisture from the land. This means the risk of drought increases even if rainfall patterns stay the same. Scientists note that a warmer atmosphere can hold about seven percent more water vapor for every one degree Celsius increase in temperature. This extra capacity leads to more evaporation from soil and vegetation everywhere, intensifying drought conditions.
Using extensive weather data and advanced models, researchers compared today’s hotter conditions to a climate that was 1.4 degrees Celsius cooler. Their findings show soils in western Europe are five times more likely to be extremely dry now than in a world without human-induced warming. In eastern Europe, such soil moisture deficits are 11 times more probable. They also found that the high evaporative demand in western Europe from April to June was about 80 times more likely. Rainfall shortages that previously wouldn’t cause severe drought now result in much drier soils.
Dominik Schumacher from ETH Zurich highlighted that the tendency for soils to dry out unusually in spring is increasing. As temperatures rise, the atmosphere’s thirst grows quickly. It extracts moisture from rivers, lakes, reservoirs, and soil. A relatively wet start followed by extreme heat created perfect conditions for large wildfires. The rapid drying prepared the land for fires, leading to severe blazes across multiple countries. The study confirms that climate change is shifting weather patterns into dangerous cycles, making droughts worse across Europe.
The agricultural sector is under enormous pressure from the loss of vital soil moisture. Drought conditions are causing severe damage to crops across borders. France is expected to see its lowest maize harvest in 50 years, disrupting regional food supplies. Romania has lost more than one million hectares of maize, threatening the agricultural supply chain further. These domestic losses, combined with ongoing global conflicts, could lead to higher food prices and disproportionately affect low-income households.
Water shortages are also impacting the economy. Low river levels are disrupting cargo transport on key waterways. Major shipping routes face increasing interruptions, highlighting the severity of water scarcity across Europe. Reduced flow in major rivers threatens energy production, especially where hydropower is vital. The Copernicus Climate Change Service reports that recent June was the hottest recorded in western Europe. Many countries are now enforcing emergency measures, including bans on non-essential drinking water use, to conserve supplies.
Scientists warn that droughts could become even more common if global temperatures keep rising. These extreme evaporation conditions are already happening at 1.4 degrees Celsius of warming. If emissions continue as predicted, raising temperatures to 2.8 degrees Celsius, such conditions could double. Without aggressive efforts to cut emissions, experts warn Europe risks future summers that are endlessly hot and dry.