Northern Spain faces threat from ‘express droughts’

Climatologist Jorge Olcina of the University of Alicante has warned of a phenomenon known as ‘express droughts’ affecting Spain, particularly in the northern regions. These are characterized by short but intense sequences of drought lasting two to three months, accompanied by high temperatures that accelerate water evaporation.

Unlike traditional long-term droughts, these rapid events pose a significant threat to northern areas that are accustomed to regular, continuous rainfall throughout the year. Because these populations and infrastructures are not adapted to sudden, intense dry spells, they face immediate risks to agricultural supply and urban water consumption. In western and northwestern Spain, summer precipitation has reportedly fallen by 75% compared to the average.

This trend aligns with warnings from the World Meteorological Organization regarding a decade-long decline in global freshwater reserves, including rivers, lakes, glaciers, and groundwater.