Intensifying droughts and record heat pose growing threat to global ecosystems and food security

Persistent dry conditions and relentless heat continued to strain ecosystems and communities worldwide in August, according to the latest Global Drought Information System (GDIS) report.

Compiled by the US National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s (NOAA) National Centers for Environmental Information (NCEI), with media reports provided by the National Drought Mitigation Center, the latest data once again highlights the growing myriad challenges posed by persistent drought and record-breaking heat, which continue to threaten ecosystems, agriculture and communities around the world.

Africa

August 2024 was the third warmest and eighth wettest August on record for Africa in history, with significant regional variations. The African Flood and Drought Monitor estimated that 30% of the continent was in drought, affecting 12 countries.

The combination of prolonged drought and extreme heat has left African agriculture severely stressed. Satellite data showed low soil moisture and groundwater, particularly in the Maghreb, central, and southern regions. The Famine Early Warning System Network (FEWSNet) reported that food insecurity continues to worsen across many African nations.

Europe

August was the hottest on record for Europe, according to the 1910-2024 NOAA/NCEI temperature record. The European Combined Drought Indicator showed drought warnings or alerts across southeastern Europe, the Mediterranean coastal area and parts of northern Europe.

Long-term drought continued to impact eastern and southeastern Europe, and the hot temperatures increased evapotranspiration, exacerbating the drought. Media reports highlighted how the record heat and drought have strained power grids, reduced water reserves and led to crop failures across southeastern Europe.

Asia

Asia experienced varied drought conditions, with August 2024 being the second warmest and 17th wettest August across the continent. The India Drought Monitor indicated that drought covered about 18.9% of India at the end of August, a slight improvement from the previous month. Extreme heat exacerbated drought conditions across the contient, as reflected in the Evaporative Demand Drought Index (EDDI) and Evaporative Stress Index (ESI).

Australia and New Zealand

Australia endured the hottest August on record. The Australian Bureau of Meteorology reported low streamflows and water storage levels, particularly in Tasmania and western and eastern Australia. Satellite data indicated dry soils and stressed vegetation, while the Australian Combined Drought Indicator confirmed widespread drought conditions.

Recent rainfall in New Zealand alleviated drought, as noted by the New Zealand Drought Monitor.

South America

August 2024 was the driest August on record for South America, according to the 1940-2024 ECMWF ERA5 Reanalysis dataset. Drought conditions persisted across much of the continent. The Southern South America Drought Information System (SISSA) indicated that 77.9% of Chile and Argentina experienced drought or abnormal dryness at the end of August, an increase from July.

The combination of low precipitation and high temperatures intensified drought conditions, with satellite observations (GRACE) revealing dry soils and low groundwater levels across vast swathes of South America, particularly in Brazil, northern Argentina, Venezuela, southern Chile, and Argentina.

North America

North America experienced drier-than-average conditions across the northern half of Mexico, the US southern Plains and much of Canada. August temperatures were the third warmest on record. The North American Drought Monitor showed drought or abnormal dryness across large portions of the continent, with 24.4% of the area and 15.2% of the population in drought by the end of August.

Header image source: Famine Early Warning System Network (FEWSNet)