2023 European drought
{{Short description|Drought experienced in Europe}}
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In 2023, Europe experienced drought-like conditions amid heat waves.
France
{{Expand French|topic=hist|Sécheresse de 2023 en France|section=yes|date=May 2023}}
The Pyrénées-Orientales Department of Southern France officially declared itself at a drought "crisis" level on 10 May.{{Cite web |date=2023-05-26 |title=Drought prompts French ban on garden swimming pools - BBC News |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-65494306 |access-date=2023-07-11 |archive-date=26 May 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230526180038/https://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-65494306 |url-status=bot: unknown }} A dry winter limited replenishment of water tables, depleted in the 2022 European drought. Agriculture in France was impacted.{{Cite web |last=Sandford |first=Alasdair |date=2023-02-22 |title=Europe is experiencing a winter drought: here's what you should know |url=https://www.euronews.com/2023/02/22/europe-is-experiencing-a-winter-drought-heres-what-you-should-know |access-date=2023-04-04 |website=euronews |language=en}}
Italy
At Lake Garda, where the water level is 70 cm (27 in) lower than average, the Alps reportedly had 63% less snow than usual.{{Cite news |last1=Henley |first1=Jon |last2=Jones |first2=Sam |last3=Giuffrida |first3=Angela |last4=Oltermann |first4=Philip |date=2023-03-04 |title='Very precarious': Europe faces growing water crisis as winter drought worsens |language=en-GB |work=The Guardian |url=https://www.theguardian.com/weather/2023/mar/04/very-precarious-europe-faces-growing-water-crisis-as-winter-drought-worsens |access-date=2023-04-04 |issn=0261-3077}} As a result of water shortages, rice production has been cut.{{Cite news |last=Boffa |first=Carlogiovanni |date=2023-03-24 |title=Italy to cut rice output as drought looms for second year |language=en |work=Reuters |url=https://www.reuters.com/world/europe/italy-cut-rice-output-drought-looms-second-year-2023-03-24/ |access-date=2023-04-04}} Canals in Venice dried up.{{Cite web |title=Italy drought exposes walkway on Lake Garda and Venice canals dry up |url=https://news.sky.com/story/italy-drought-exposes-walkway-on-lake-garda-and-venice-canals-dry-up-12815873 |access-date=2023-04-04 |website=Sky News |language=en}}
Spain
File:Fuente de Piedra Lagoon dry (cropped1).jpg is now a salt flat due to the heat.]]
In Catalonia, the Sau reservoir was reduced to nine per cent of its total capacity.{{Cite web |last=Frost |first=Rosie |date=2023-04-03 |title=How are Europeans preparing for another summer of extreme drought? |url=https://www.euronews.com/green/2023/04/03/more-of-the-same-these-european-villages-are-preparing-for-another-year-of-extreme-drought |access-date=2023-04-04 |website=euronews |language=en}} 2023 has been Catalonia's worse drought in decades.{{Cite news |date=2023-04-04 |title=Climate change: Catalonia in grip of worst drought in decades |language=en-GB |work=BBC News |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-65129735 |access-date=2023-04-04}} The April 2023 heat wave has also exacerbated drought problems. The Fuente de Piedra Lagoon went dry for the first time in 20 years due to the heatwave.{{Cite web |last=Stuber |first=Matías |date=2023-04-28 |title=Malaga's famous flamingo lagoon dries up |url=https://www.surinenglish.com/malaga/antequera/malagas-famous-flamingo-lagoon-dries-up-20230428190402-nt.html |access-date=2023-05-26 |website=Sur in English |language=en}}
The Doñana National Park was threatened by drought.{{Cite news |date=2023-08-10 |title=Water wars: meet the guardians of one of Europe's most vital wetlands |language=en-GB |work=The Guardian |url=https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2023/aug/10/water-wars-meet-guardians-one-of-europes-vital-wetlands-donana-national-park-spain |access-date=2023-08-12 |issn=0261-3077}}
United Kingdom
Drought warnings were put in place for the summer.{{Cite web |title=One hot, dry spell away from drought returning this summer, National Drought Group warns |url=https://www.gov.uk/government/news/one-hot-dry-spell-away-from-drought-returning-this-summer-national-drought-group-warns |access-date=2023-04-04 |website=GOV.UK |language=en}} It was the driest February since 1993.{{Cite news |last1=Horton |first1=Helena |last2=reporter |first2=Helena Horton Environment |date=2023-03-01 |title=Driest February in England since 1993 signals drought ahead, say experts |language=en-GB |work=The Guardian |url=https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2023/mar/01/driest-february-england-signals-drought-ahead-experts |access-date=2023-04-04 |issn=0261-3077}} Scientists said that this increased the drought risk for other regions of England.{{Cite news |date=2023-03-16 |title=Drought risk to England regions after dry February, scientists warn |language=en-GB |work=BBC News |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/science-environment-64966953 |access-date=2023-04-04}}
It was the wettest March in over 40 years for England and Wales.{{Cite web |title=Wettest March in over 40 years for England and Wales |url=https://www.metoffice.gov.uk/about-us/press-office/news/weather-and-climate/2023/march-2023-weather-review |access-date=2023-04-04 |website=Met Office |language=en}} According to South West Water, Devon and Cornwall are experiencing the driest conditions in nearly 90 years.{{Cite web |date=2023-04-03 |title=Devon and Cornwall still in drought - water firm |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-england-cornwall-65156799 |access-date=2023-04-04 |website=BBC News |language=en-GB}} From 25 April 2023, South West Water extended a hosepipe ban to parts of Devon.{{Cite news |date=2023-04-17 |title=South West Water hosepipe ban to be extended to parts of Devon |language=en-GB |work=BBC News |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-england-devon-65300702 |access-date=2023-04-17}}
See also
References
{{Reflist}}{{Heat wave}}{{Portal bar|Climate change|Ecology|Environment|Europe}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:European drought, 2023}}