Europe faces record heatwave and accelerating drought

Scientists say Europe is experiencing its most rapid and severe drought in recent history. Rising temperatures are doubling the continent's warming rate compared with the global average, intensifying evaporation from soils, rivers and lakes. A shift in the jet stream is creating long‑lasting blocking anticyclones that keep moist Atlantic air at bay, leading to historically low water levels in major rivers such as the Rhine, Danube and Italy’s Po.

A forecasted heat wave will trap hot air over western and central Europe for up to two weeks. Temperatures are expected to exceed 40 °C in parts of France, the Po valley, Tuscany, Slovenia, eastern Croatia, northern Bosnia‑Herzegovina, northern and central Serbia, Hungary and western Romania, with some locations potentially reaching 45 °C. Humidity may drop below 20 %, heightening fire danger and producing “tropical nights” that prevent cooling after sunset. The combined drought and heat threaten agriculture, energy supply, tourism and public health across the continent.