During the summer of 2022, parts of Europe experienced drought conditions exacerbated by heat waves. This was preceded by a warm and dry spring. On 9 August, a senior European Commission researcher said that it seemed to be Europe's worst year in 500 years. A report from the Global Drought Observatory has confirmed this. The drought had serious consequences for hydropower generation and the cooling systems of nuclear power plants, as the drought reduced the amount of river water available for cooling. Agriculture in Europe was also negatively affected by the drought.
The dried up Leysse at the entrance to Chambéry on 28 July 2022.
The Huveaune dried up in Aubagne in July 2022.
Dried trees in Ravilloles, Jura
Parched Catton Park near Norwich on 20 August 2022
From June to August 2022, persistent heatwaves affected parts of Europe, causing evacuations and a confirmed death toll of 24,501. However, upper estimates suggested more than 61,000 heat-related deaths between 30 May and 4 September. These heat waves were the deadliest meteorological events in 2022. The highest temperature recorded was 47.0 °C (116.6 °F) in Pinhão, Portugal, on 14 July.
European Space Agency image from 18 June, showing many areas of France above 34 °C (93 °F)
Dried trees in Ravilloles, Jura
Forecast maximum temperatures for 12 June in the Iberian Peninsula.
A thermometer showing 39 °C (102 °F) on a street in Valladolid on 15 June.
