JRC Global Drought Observatory (GDO) of the Copernicus Emergency Management Service (CEMS)

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY:

  • Most of southern and western Europe is affected by substantial anomalies of soil moisture and river flow due to an exceptionally dry and warm winter.
  • The snow water equivalent in the Alps is far below the historical average, and is even lower than that for the 2021-2022 winter. This will lead to severe reduction of snowmelt contribution to river flows in the perialpine region during spring and the early summer 2023.
  • Impacts of the emerging drought are already visible in France, Spain, and northern Italy and raise concerns on water supply, agriculture and energy production.
  • Seasonal forecasts show a warmer than average spring over Europe, while precipitation forecasts are characterized by higher spatial variability and uncertainty. Close monitoring and proper water use plans are required to deal with a season that currently has a high risk of being critical for water resources.

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