NOAA's National Centers for Environmental Information
Global Drought Information System
This Global Drought Narrative is based on global drought indicators available at the Global Drought Information System, and media reports summarized by the National Drought Mitigation Center.
Global Drought Overview
Overview: Beneficial precipitation fell across some of the world’s drought areas during July 2023, especially over eastern North America and parts of Eurasia, but other drought areas experienced another drier-than-normal month. It was dry over drought-plagued parts of the Americas, Africa, and the Mediterranean. The drought conditions were exacerbated by increased evapotranspiration caused by excessive heat in many areas as the world experienced its hottest July in the NOAA/NCEI 1910-2023 record. Asia, Africa, and South America each had their warmest July on record, and it was the second hottest July in North America. A significant portion of the world’s agricultural lands was still suffering from low soil moisture and groundwater levels. The GEOGLAM Crop Monitor indicated that agriculture was most threatened in parts of the Americas, Africa, and Asia, and in southwest and eastern parts of Europe and southwest Australia. The Famine Early Warning System Network (FEWSNet) revealed significant food insecurity continuing in parts of Central and South America, Africa, and Southwest Asia. According to media reports, continued drought in agricultural areas have grain experts worried. World-Grain.com warned: "How much longer can this game of Russian roulette continue before several of the world’s most important food producers end up in drought together? The potential disaster that looms is a great concern and today’s world water shortages only exacerbate the potential situation."
Europe
In Europe, Scandinavian coastal and Mediterranean coastal areas were drier than normal during July 2023, western portions were wetter than normal, with the rest of Europe in between these areas having a mixed precipitation anomaly pattern. Unusually hot temperatures continent-wide gave Europe the eighth warmest July in the 114-year NCEI record. The excessive heat enhanced evapotranspiration and exacerbated drought conditions where it was dry. For the year to date, Europe had the second warmest January-July; the last 12 months (August 2022-July 2023) were also the second warmest on record. Dry conditions afflicted most of Europe at longer time scales (the last 12 to 48 months), especially as seen on the SPEI (Standardized Precipitation Evapotranspiration) maps. Soils continued dry from Portugal to northern Europe, while the satellite-based (GRACE) indicator of groundwater revealed low groundwater across most of Europe. Satellite observations of vegetative health (Vegetative Health Index, VHI) revealed poor vegetative health over parts of the Iberian Peninsula and in northern parts of Europe. The European Combined Drought Indicator showed some level of drought across most of Europe, except for the Mediterranean coastal and southeastern areas, with 63.0% of the EU-27 territory in Drought Watch, Warning, or Alert conditions.
According to media reports (Reuters), heavy rain in southern Germany raised water levels on the river Rhine, except in northern areas where river levels were still too shallow for cargo vessels to sail fully loaded. The Associated Press reported that northeastern Spain’s Catalonia region declared a drought emergency in 24 municipalities in early August following a severe lack of rain in recent years; the restrictions will principally affect agricultural and industrial water usage but not drinking water. According to Reuters, Vineyards across Catalonia's renowned Penedes cava-producing region were so parched that the roots of 30-year-old vines have died, leaving shriveled red and green grapes languishing under the intense sun - to the sector's dismay. The northeastern region is among the most affected by Spain's long drought, registering the driest start to a year in the first four months of 2023 since records began in 1961.
Asia
In Asia, July was drier than normal in southern, central, and eastern parts of the continent, including areas in Southwest and Southeast Asia. Monthly temperatures were much warmer than normal across most of the continent, giving Asia the warmest July on record. The SPI (Standardized Precipitation Index) revealed dryness at longer time scales out to 36 months in parts of Southeast Asia, Southwest Asia, and western Russia, and at even longer time scales in Southwest Asia. Asia had the fourth warmest July-June 12-month time period, according to NCEI records. The SPEI reflected the increased evapotranspiration due to the unusual warmth by indicating more widespread and severe dryness in these areas, as well as the Arctic coast of Siberia. Satellite-based (GRACE) indicators of soil moisture and groundwater reveal widespread dry conditions in these areas as well as northeast China and northern India. Satellite observations of vegetative health (VHI) revealed poor vegetative health from Southwest Asia into southwestern Russia, across parts of South and Southeast Asia, and parts of eastern Siberia. Drought conditions were confirmed over northern, eastern, and coastal southwestern parts of India on the India Drought Monitor, covering about 19.3% of the nation. Some short- or long-term drought was indicated on some of the islands in the Southwest Pacific on the NIWA Island Climate Update maps.
According to media reports, heat and prolonged drought have dried up Turkey’s Turna Lake, pushing it to the cusp of extinction. Severe weather conditions (drought) in Thailand stemming from El Niño could continue to push sugar prices higher (Thailand is the third-largest country when it comes to sugar production). PortNew reported that drought and shallowing of rivers was expected to affect shipping in 11 regions of Russia.
Africa
July was dry across the Mediterranean coast (the Maghreb region) of Africa, as well as some western and southern parts of the continent. Most of the continent was warmer than normal, with July 2023 ranking as the warmest July continent-wide in the 1910-2023 NCEI record; record heat region-wide extended over the last 4 months (April-July). Rainfall in recent months improved the SPI values in parts of the Horn of Africa at 2- to 6-month time scales, but evapotranspiration that was enhanced by above-normal temperatures showed more intense drought on the SPEI maps. The last 12 months (August 2022-July 2023) tied with August 2016-2017 as the fifth warmest August-July period on record. Long-term dryness remains in the north, Horn, and central to southern parts of the continent, with drought evident on the 12- to 36-month SPI and SPEI maps. The SPEI maps show widespread severe drought over the Horn of Africa at 6- to 48-month time scales. Satellite (GRACE) observations revealed persistent low soil moisture and groundwater in the Maghreb and adjacent northern regions, over parts of the Horn of Africa, and parts of central to southern Africa. Satellite observations of vegetative health (VHI) revealed poor vegetative health over the Maghreb region and parts of the Horn of Africa and central to western Africa. An analysis by the African Flood and Drought Monitor estimated 19% of the continent in drought at the end of July.
Australia
Most of Australia was drier than normal during July 2023, with wetter-than-normal conditions across the north-central area. Temperatures were cooler than normal in the west but warmer than normal elsewhere, with the country having the ninth warmest July in the national 1910-2023 record. The SPEI revealed parts of western, southern, and eastern Australia to be drier than normal at 2- to 6-month time scales, with northern sections dry at longer time scales. Dry areas were evident along the west coast, east coast, and in the southwest, as seen in GRACE groundwater and soil moisture data, satellite-based vegetative health, and in the Australian Combined Drought Indicator analyses.
South America
In South America, much of the northern two-thirds of the continent was drier than normal in July, with dry areas also in Chile and Argentina. Virtually the entire continent was much warmer than normal, resulting in the warmest July in the NCEI record, continent-wide. Record continental warmth extended back through the last 6 months (February-July). Increased evapotranspiration from the unusual warmth resulted in more extensive and intense drought, as seen in the SPEI. The SPEI revealed widespread drought across the northern half of the continent at 1- to 3-month time scales, with drought extending into southern South America at 3 to 6 months, and covering a larger area (including Uruguay, Paraguay, Bolivia, and Peru) at longer time scales out to 72 months. Satellite (GRACE) observations revealed extensive areas of low groundwater and soil moisture from Venezuela to Brazil and southern Peru to the southern tip of the continent. Satellite analysis revealed poor vegetative health from Colombia to Brazil and Peru to Argentina. Drought was confirmed in Brazil on the Brazilian Drought Monitor, in Bolivia on the Bolivian Drought Monitor, in Chile and Argentina on Southern South America Drought Information System and Chilean Combined Drought Index maps, and in western South America countries on the Western South America Regional Drought Monitor. According to media reports (Associated Press), Bolivia’s Lake Titicaca has receded to critically low levels, due to persistent drought; by early August, the lake level reached an all-time low.
North America
In North America, July was drier than normal in the western U.S., most of Canada and Mexico, and parts of Central America. Temperatures were cooler than normal in the north-central U.S. and adjacent Canada, but warmer than normal elsewhere, with the continent having its second warmest July in the NCEI record. In the Caribbean, July 2023 was the warmest July on record, with record heat region-wide extending over the last 4 months (April-July). For North America, May-July 2023 was the warmest such 3-month period. The SPI indicated persistent dryness across Canada, especially the western provinces and some eastern provinces, at time periods out to 24 months, and in southern portions (especially the southern Prairies) at 36- to 72-month time scales. In the U.S., the lasts 3 to 6 months were dry in parts of the Pacific Northwest, Southwest, and Gulf of Mexico Coast and across the Upper Mississippi Valley. Parts of the Great Plains were dry at 6- to 48-month time scales, and dryness was still evident in parts of the West at 36- to 72-month time scales after a wet winter and early spring. The SPI showed dryness across southern and northwest Mexico, the Central American countries, and much of the Caribbean at 6- to 72-month time scales. When temperature (evapotranspiration) is considered, the SPEI shows much more extensive and severe dryness in these areas at these time scales. Satellite (GRACE) observations revealed extensive areas of low groundwater and soil moisture across western, southern, and eastern Canada; most of Mexico; and the Central American and some Caribbean countries. In the U.S., groundwater and soil moisture were low in the Pacific Northwest, Southwest to southern Plains, and parts of the Midwest. Satellite analysis indicated poor vegetative health across most of the continent, except the central to southeastern U.S. Hundreds of large wildfires continued to burn across western and eastern parts of Canada during July. The North American Drought Monitor product depicted drought across the U.S. Pacific Northwest to much of western to central Canada; the central U.S. to Great Lakes; and the U.S. southern Plains to much of Mexico. The Caribbean Regional Climate Center SPI maps showed areas of dryness across Caribbean islands at 1- to 24-month time scales.
U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) statistics indicated that 49% of the nation’s topsoil moisture and 49% of the subsoil moisture were short or very short (dry or very dry) at the end of July, and 15% of the corn crop, 15% of the soybean crop, 31% of the cotton crop, 16% of the spring wheat crop, and 29% of the nation's pasture and rangeland were in poor to very poor condition. According to media reports (CBC), leaders in British Columbia are sounding the alarm about looming water scarcity and future use restrictions as drought levels in parts of the Canadian province have been elevated to the most severe end of the scale. The drought in British Columbia has dried up the supply of hay, forcing prices to skyrocket and threatening cattle interests. As of mid-July, the 2023 wildfire season in British Columbia surpassed the 2018 season as the most destructive ever recorded according to area burned. Statistics from the B.C. Wildfire Service (BCWS) showed wildfires have burned more than 13,900 square km. of land this year, breaking the record of just over 13,500 square km. set in 2018. In neighboring Alberta, the lack of rain in southern and eastern parts of the province has created a dire situation for agriculture. In Saskatchewan, farmers forced to write off drought-afflicted crops were being asked to consider ways to turn those crops into cattle feed instead. Saskatchewan produces about half of the world's supply of mustard, but near-catastrophic drought conditions in the southeastern corner of the province and other factors, such as strong winds, hail and heat, are limiting mustard production. In Central America, Panama Canal authorities announced that they will extend restrictions on ships' maximum depth, and they have limited average crossings at one of the world's busiest trade passages to just 32 ships a day as a prolonged drought continues. The Associated Press reported that authorities estimate Panama Canal income in 2024 could fall as much as $200 million due to drought. In Honduras, drought and erratic rainfall are undermining agriculture, pushing young people to migrate in search of a more secure future. Reuters reported that hundreds of U.S. cattle died from the heat and humidity in Iowa and neighboring Great Plains states. In Missouri, whole fields of corn in severe drought did not pollinate due to the drought.