European droughts News

Rhine River Shipping Faces Another Historic Shutdown as Drought Hits Water Levels

The bustling boat traffic on Europe’s Rhine river ground to a halt for the first time in living memory last year, as shrinking alpine glaciers and severe drought made the key transport artery impassable. Those historic conditions could be repeated …

Blast of Hot Air from Sahara Triggers Record Heatwave Across Europe

Europeans fought to stay cool as a blast of hot air from the Sahara desert sent temperatures to records in large parts of the continent and whipped up concern about climate change. Germany imposed speed restrictions on usually limit-free stretches …

Sweltering Heatwave in Germany Sparks Wildfires, Forces Speed Cut on Autobahn

A blistering heatwave prompted Germany to impose speed restrictions on usually limit-free stretches of its high-speed motorways Wednesday, the latest sign of extreme weather events ruffling Europe’s largest economy. State authorities are reducing speeds to as low as 100 kilometers …

Rhine River Could Be Impassable to Ships this Summer if European Drought Returns

Germany’s Rhine River could be impassable to ships again this summer if Europe has another drought, a once-rare weather phenomenon that’s becoming more likely with an increase in the temperature. That’s the opinion of German and Swiss scientists who say …

California Wildfires, Hurricane Michael Top List of 2018’s Costliest Natural Disasters: Munich Re

The costliest natural catastrophes occurred in the United States in 2018 with one of California’s devastating wildfires and Hurricane Michael topping the list, according to Munich Re. A report from Munich Re on last year’s natural disasters pointed to “clear …

Devastating S. Europe Drought Scorches Crops; Farmers Question Their Future

Italian durum wheat and dairy farmer Attilio Tocchi saw warning signs during the winter of the dramatic drought to come at his holding a mile away from the Tuscan coast. “When it still hadn’t rained at the beginning of spring …

Europe to Experience More Droughts Due to Climate Change

Europe is poised to suffer more droughts as the 21st century progresses because of climate change, according to a study by the European Union’s Joint Research Centre and Germany’s University of Kassel. Many river basins, particularly in southern Europe, will …