Europes droughts now driven more by extreme heat than lack of rain, study finds
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10 days · 11 summary articles
A new study by the World Weather Attribution initiative shows that Europe’s worsening droughts are now driven more by extreme heat than by lack of rainfall, as a warming atmosphere acts like a “giant sponge” with increasing thirst, according to Czech Radio .
Across the continent, rivers including the Rhine, Danube and Po have reached historic lows, disrupting navigation, industry and energy production. In Hungary, the Danube’s water level in Budapest rose to 20 centimeters by early Wednesday, up from a low of 9 centimeters on Aug. 2, while Paks recorded a 1-centimeter increase to -134 centimeters, HVG reported . Authorities sank four barges loaded with rock into the Danube on Wednesday to raise water levels toward the Cernavodă nuclear plant, after initial efforts stabilized and slightly increased flow by 2 centimeters, Digi24 said .
Ukraine’s energy grid faces potential restrictions if temperatures stay above 35°C for 2.5 to 3 weeks, with possible 2–3 hour evening blackouts, according to Oleksandr Kharchenko, director of the Center for Energy Research . Hungary’s Paks nuclear plant remains stable, but officials urged voluntary power consumption cuts between 5 p.m. and 10 p.m. as temperatures peaked at 42°C on Wednesday and Thursday, 444.hu reported .
Austria recorded its highest temperature ever at 40.8°C in Vienna on Tuesday, while France logged its hottest July on record with an average of 24.9°C, according to Cphpost . Spain’s Aemet warned of temperatures above 35°C across much of the country, with storms and hail expected in the northeast, El Diario reported . Cyprus forecast inland highs of 39°C under mostly clear skies, the Cyprus Mail said .
In the Netherlands, temperatures eased to a range of 21–25°C after a heatwave, Parool noted . Belgium’s IRM forecast temperatures dropping below 25°C by Thursday, ending the current heat warning, La Libre reported . Met Éireann issued warnings for potential flash floods in parts of Ireland as mixed weather set in, the Irish Times said .
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Articles
Europe is blowing up riverbeds as an extreme drought wreaks havoc on its economy Severe drought is disrupting energy and freight across Europe as low Rhine and Danube levels raise risks for supply chains and economic growth.
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handelsblatt · about 1 hour ago
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digi24 · about 1 hour ago
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adevarul · about 1 hour ago
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mastodon bot · about 2 hours ago
Temperature slightly lowers, 38 degree peak Wednesday The weather will be mostly clear on Wednesday, with locally increased clouds at times. Winds will blow south-westerly to westerly, light to moderate, at 3 to 4 Beaufort, reaching strong, 5 Beaufort, at times on the south coast. The sea will be slight. Temperatures will reach 38C inland, 30C on the west coast, around 33C […]
in-cyprus · about 2 hours ago
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cyprus mail · about 2 hours ago
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irish times · about 2 hours ago
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der standard · about 2 hours ago
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taz.de · about 2 hours ago
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welt.de · about 3 hours ago
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rtl nieuws · about 3 hours ago
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die zeit · about 3 hours ago
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die zeit · about 3 hours ago
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tagesspiegel · about 3 hours ago
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die zeit · about 3 hours ago
Austria records highest temperature ever The summer of 2026 continues to break weather records across Europe. On Tuesday, Austria set a new temperature record of 40.8 degrees Celsius in the capital, Vienna. France reported its hottest month ever in July, with an average temperature of 24.9 degrees. Additionally, England and Wales experienced their driest July on record. European heatwaves have […]
cphpost · about 3 hours ago
Niedrigwasser bringt Kurioses zum Vorschein Die extreme Hitze und anhaltende Trockenheit haben viele Teile Europas auch am Dienstag weiter fest im Griff. Viele Gewässer verzeichnen historisch niedrige Pegelstände, darunter vor allem die Donau und der Rhein. Das Niedrigwasser erschwert die Schifffahrt, bringt zugleich aber etwa alte Schiffwracks sowie Mammutknochen zum Vorschein.
orf.at · about 3 hours ago
Patru barje vor fi scufundate în Dunăre pentru a crește debitul de apă către Centrala Nucleară de la Cernavodă Patru barje vor fi scufundate în apele Dunării, miercuri, 5 august, pentru a facilita direcţionarea debitului către Centrala Nucleară de la Cernavodă. Se estimează că scufundarea va avea loc după ora 14:00.
adevarul · about 3 hours ago
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tagesspiegel · about 3 hours ago
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cnbc · about 3 hours ago
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die presse · about 3 hours ago
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die zeit · about 3 hours ago
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