Regions in southeastern Spain, Cyprus, Greece, and the southern Balkans are under the highest "alert" classification, signalling significant moisture deficits in soil and visible stress in vegetation. These conditions come after Europe's warmest spring on record, with March setting new temperature highs and record-low rainfall across multiple countries.

But the warning signs stretch far beyond the Mediterranean. Much of northern and eastern Europe is also under drought watch, compounding concerns for crops, energy production, and water supplies across the EU and beyond.

Holiday destinations under pressure

Some of Europe's most popular tourist destinations, including Greece's Mykonos and Santorini, are grappling with serious water shortages. Water is being shipped to the islands or desalinated to meet basic needs, as local infrastructure buckles under the dual pressures of overtourism and prolonged dry conditions.

"The tourism sector is completely unregulated," said Professor Nikitas Mylopoulos, a water resource expert at Thessaly University. "Water demand is soaring every summer, and there's no long-term planning in place."

While tourism draws attention, Mylopoulos warned that agriculture remains the largest drain on Greece's water reserves — and one still plagued by inefficiency and policy gaps.

Food security at risk

The drought's impact on farming is already being felt in Ukraine, one of Europe's largest grain producers. With parts of the country heating 2.7°C above historical norms in 2023, continued dry spells could disrupt harvests and further strain global food supplies.

Neighbouring countries such as Poland, Slovakia, and southeastern Türkiye are also experiencing worsening conditions, while alert levels remain high across northern Syria, Lebanon, Israel, and large parts of Iran and Iraq. In North Africa, drought has persisted for over a year.

Northern Europe not spared

Drought warnings now cover nearly 40% of the EU and the UK, with EDO's data showing a broad swath of "warning" conditions stretching from Ireland across Germany, Poland and into Finland, southern Russia and Türkiye.

Temperatures between 11 and 20 May remained above seasonal averages in northern Europe, aggravating soil dryness and raising concerns for hydropower generation. The International Hydropower Association warned recently that extreme weather fluctuations — alternating between drought and intense rainfall — are pushing energy systems to the brink.

Climate change driving long-term shifts

Scientists are clear that climate change is amplifying drought risks across Europe, particularly in Mediterranean regions. World Weather Attribution previously found that the continent's devastating 2022 drought was made 20 times more likely due to human-driven warming.

While a detailed attribution study for this spring is still pending, experts say the pattern is consistent with expectations: rising temperatures are reshaping rainfall patterns and disturbing long-standing hydrological balances.

"Regions can no longer rely on seasonal rains to balance out water loss," said Andrea Toreti, coordinator of the Copernicus Drought Observatories. "That equilibrium is shifting — and fast."