droughts

European summer droughts are more severe than in the past 2,100 years

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Droughts in Europe during the summer are more severe now than at any time in the past two millennia, a new study reveals. Researchers studied ‘chemical fingerprints’ – carbon and oxygen isotopes – in European oak trees to reconstruct summer climate over the last 2,110 years.   They found that drought conditions suddenly intensified in 2015 beyond … Read more

Europe could suffer a SEVEN-FOLD increase in the number of extreme droughts by 2100, study warns 

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WHAT CAUSED THE HEATWAVE? The heatwave was triggered by the build-up of high pressures over Europe over the past few days, leading to the northward movement of warm air from Europe over the UK. ‘At this time of year southerly winds will always lead to above average temperatures,’ said University of Reading meteorologist Peter Inness.  ‘Air from … Read more