A new report from the European Commission's Joint Research Centre (JRC) published in April 2025 reveals worsening drought conditions across much of Europe, driven by warmer-than-average temperatures and below-average precipitation since the start of the year. The Drought in Europe – April 2025 report outlines deepening concerns for agriculture, river transport, and ecosystems as dry anomalies spread and river flows decline sharply.

According to the report, March 2025 marked the driest March on record in Germany. On April 12, water levels on the Rhine River at Cologne fell to just 1.54 meters—approximately half the typical level for this time of year—threatening river navigation and trade.

Regions in central, eastern, and southeastern Europe and the eastern Mediterranean are under growing drought warnings. Hydrological stress is also visible in northwestern Europe, where early April brought sharp declines in river discharge, particularly in the Middle Rhine. The Alps, eastern Europe, and northern Scandinavia recorded mean temperatures more than 3°C above normal during the first quarter of 2025, further straining soil moisture and water reserves.

Satellite imagery and data from the Copernicus Emergency Management Service show expanding areas of extreme dryness, especially in northern Germany, the Benelux countries, Denmark, and parts of the UK and Ireland. Soil moisture maps highlight stark deficits across the eastern Mediterranean and northern Africa.

In contrast, parts of southern Europe—including Portugal, Spain, western and central France, and northern Italy—received above-average rainfall over the winter. While these areas escaped immediate drought impacts, some regions suffered severe weather events that caused fatalities and infrastructure damage.

Despite mostly healthy vegetation observed in late March, early signs of drought stress have emerged in North Africa, western Syria, and southeastern Türkiye. Scientists warn that if dry conditions persist, this may indicate vulnerabilities in the upcoming growing season.

Forecasts through June suggest continued drier-than-average conditions across northern and western Europe, while the Iberian Peninsula, central Italy, and Greece may experience wetter-than-average weather. However, experts note some uncertainty in the forecast due to model variability.

Based on data from the European and Global Drought Observatories, the report underscores the urgent need for monitoring and preparedness as Europe faces a critical spring and summer for water availability, agriculture, and ecological health. Learn more by visiting "Drought over large parts of Europe raises concern."