Over half of Europe and Mediterranean basin hit by drought in mid-May
Andrew Zinin
lead editor
More than half, or 53%, of land in Europe and the Mediterranean basin were hit by drought in mid-May, according to an AFP analysis of data from the European Drought Observatory (EDO) from May 11-20, 2025.
It was the highest level recorded for that period of time in the year since monitoring began in 2012, and more than 20 points higher than the average between 2012-2024.
The EU's Copernicus Climate Change Service, based on satellite imagery, takes into account three benchmarks: precipitation, or rainfall, soil moisture and the state of vegetation.
Watch, warning, alert
There are three levels of drought: watch, warning and alert.
Between May 11-20, 42% of Europe's soil and the Mediterranean basin were lacking in moisture, at a warning level, and 5% at alert level, signaling that vegetation was developing abnormally.
Northern, eastern and central European countries were mainly concerned, with high alert levels.
Some 19% of Ukrainian territory was on a state of alert while other countries were in a worrying situation, including Belarus (17%), Poland (10%), Hungary and Slovakia (9%).
To the south, the level of alert stood at 20% in some countries and territories, including in Syria, Cyprus and the Palestinian territories.
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Signs of drought were apparent in Koege, in Denmark. -
The Woodhead reservoir in northern England hit its lowest level.
While stopping short of a state of alert, several countries were in mid-May hit by some kind of large drought, including the United Kingdom across 98% of its territory since mid-March.
The UK's official weather service, the Met Office, said the UK experienced its warmest spring on record—and its driest in more than 50 years.
The European Central Bank warned on May 23 of major economic risks from drought, which can threaten up to 15% of production in the eurozone due to increasing extreme weather caused by climate change.
© 2025 AFP
