Record Drought in August Across Europe and Mediterranean Coasts
With more than half (53%) of soils affected by drought, August 2025 was the driest month in Europe and the Mediterranean basin since the European Drought Observatory (EDO) began monitoring in 2012, according to an analysis.
This drought rate is 23 points higher than the 2012–2024 August average (30.1%). Several types of drought can combine: meteorological, soil, and hydrological (affecting rivers and groundwater), the report noted.
The Copernicus programme’s drought indicator, based on satellite data, combines rainfall levels, soil moisture, and vegetation health. It operates on three levels: monitoring, warning, and alert.
In August 2024, 36% of soils were affected by drought. The previous absolute record – 52% – was set in May 2025.
Eastern Europe and the Balkans were particularly hard hit. In Bulgaria, Kosovo, Serbia and North Macedonia, drought levels (monitoring, warning or alert) reached or exceeded 90%. In Serbia, 61% of soils were even at the alert stage. In the Balkans, the situation fueled wildfires that killed at least two people and forced the evacuation of thousands.
Western Europe was also severely affected in places. In Portugal, 70% of the territory suffered from lack of rainfall and soil moisture, up sharply from 5% in July. In France, where a second summer heatwave struck in August, two-thirds of the country (66%) faced water shortages.
In the eastern Mediterranean, several countries were also badly affected: Armenia, Georgia and Lebanon, with nearly their entire territory hit (99%, 97% and 96% respectively).
