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: GDIS global indicators revealed wet conditions in April 2024 brought limited relief to some drought areas across the world, but the month was dry in parts of Africa, Australia, South and North America, the Mediterranean Basin, and southern parts of Asia. The precipitation that fell was not enough to make up for months, even years, of deficient precipitation. Northern Africa had the fourth driest April and driest October-April in the 1940-2024 ECMWF ERA5 Reanalysis, South America ranked driest on record for the 12-month period May-April, and Central America had the seventh driest May-April. Unusually hot temperatures afflicted large parts of the world, increasing evaporation and making drought conditions worse. This was especially the case in South and Central America and the Caribbean, which had the warmest April in the 1850-2024 NOAA/NCEI record, and in Europe and North America, where it was second warmest, Asia (third warmest), and Africa (fourth warmest). The NOAA/NCEI data showed that, for the world as a whole, April 2024 was the warmest April on record.
A significant portion of the world's agricultural lands was still suffering from low soil moisture and groundwater levels — especially in the Americas, Africa, eastern Europe, and parts of Asia — and satellite observations showed stressed vegetation on all continents. The GEOGLAM Crop Monitor indicated that agriculture was most threatened in parts of Central and South America, Africa, Europe, and southern Asia, as well as parts of the U.S. central Plains. The Famine Early Warning System Network (FEWSNet) revealed significant food insecurity continuing in parts of Central and South America, Southwest Asia, and much of Africa.
Concerns over food production and prices were expressed in several media outlets. The Wall Street Journal reported that global prices for cocoa and coffee are surging as severe weather events hamper production in key regions, especially Southeast Asia and West Africa, raising questions from farm to table over the long-term damage climate change could have on soft commodities. Cultivating cocoa and coffee requires very specific temperature, water and soil conditions. Now, more frequent heat waves, heavy rainfalls and droughts are damaging harvests and crippling supplies amid ever growing demand from customers worldwide. RFD-TV and ReliefWeb reported that, while drought has decreased in the U.S., ongoing dryness is taking its toll on corn crop production in Mexico and South Africa, two other top global corn producers. The New York Times added that an estimated 20 million people in southern Africa are facing what the United Nations calls "acute hunger" as one of the worst droughts in more than four decades shrivels crops, decimates livestock and, after years of rising food prices brought on by pandemic and war, spikes the price of corn, the region's staple crop. The Bangkok Post reported that, according to the Office of the Cane and Sugar Board (OCSB), Thailand's sugar cane output declined in the 2023-24 crop year, resulting from severe drought, and this may affect sugar supply in the global market. The country is the world's second-largest sugar exporter after Brazil, meaning a drop in production could pressure the global market. In Brazil, the last 12 months (May 2023-April 2024) were the warmest and second driest such period in the 1940-2024 ECMWF ERA5 record. Meanwhile, EuroNews.green reported that global wine production reached a historic low in 2023 and climate change could be to blame, according to a new report by the International Organization of Vine and Wine (OIV). The report says the drink hit its lowest level since 1962. This intergovernmental organization has 50 member-states, representing 75% of the world's vineyard area.
Europe
Much of Europe was warmer and wetter than normal during April. Continent-wide, Europe had the second warmest April in the 1910-2024 NOAA/NCEI temperature record and 24th wettest April in the 1940-2024 ECMWF ERA5 Reanalysis precipitation record. It was drier than normal in the Mediterranean coast countries, based on the 1-month Standardized Precipitation Index (SPI). The above-normal temperatures enhanced evaporation, especially in southern and eastern Europe, as seen on the Evaporative Stress Index (ESI) maps. The combination of below-normal precipitation and above-normal evaporation resulted in drought conditions in eastern and southern Europe, as indicated by the Standardized Precipitation Evapotranspiration Index (SPEI) map. At longer time scales, dryness was indicated along the Scandinavian coast and in Southeast Europe at 3 to 6 months, and along the Mediterranean coast at 9 to 60 months. Excessive warmth dominated Europe for much of the last year. The 9 time periods from March-April back through January-April and October-April through May-April were the warmest such periods on record. This relentless heat increased drought stress, with the SPEI showing drought conditions extending into Central Europe at 2- to 3-month time scales, more intense in Southern and Southeastern Europe at 9- to 12-month time scales, and extending into Central Europe at 24 months and across most of mainland Europe by 48 months. Satellite observations of vegetative health (Vegetative Health Index, VHI) revealed some stressed vegetation along the Scandinavian coast. Satellite observations (GRACE) indicated depleted soil moisture continued across the eastern half of Europe into central Europe, as well as along the Mediterranean coast and in interior parts of Scandinavia. GRACE data also indicated depleted groundwater in these areas. The European Combined Drought Indicator showed the most severe drought in parts of southeastern Europe, the Mediterranean coast, and northern Scandinavia, with 16.4% of the EU-27 territory in Drought Watch, Warning, or Alert conditions, which is less than last month.
According to media reports (EuroNews), a three-year-long drought in the French eastern Pyrenees is forcing the district to take further action to conserve water. Tourism operators have signed a charter containing around 30 measures aimed at reducing water usage, including a ban on ice buckets. The Associated Press reported that Spain's drought-stricken region of Catalonia will install a floating desalination plant to help the city of Barcelona guarantee its drinking water supply. Catalan News added that the Spanish government announced it will set a cap on water consumption per visitor at tourist accommodations, at an equivalent level to the consumption of residents living in Catalonia. Reuters discussed how the drought is impacting employment in Spain. Spanish cava producer Freixenet presented a plan to temporarily lay off 615 workers, close to 80% of the company's total workforce, due to the drought affecting the Penedes area in Catalonia. Freixenet becomes one of the first companies in Catalonia to present a temporary layoff plan, which is expected to come into force in May, due to the persistent drought. The Luxembourg Times reported that Luxembourg's water management authority said heavy rainfall between October 2023 and the start of April 2024 has helped to recharge groundwater levels in Luxembourg, but will not suffice to compensate for the severe drought periods over the past two years. Euro Weekly reported on an odd benefit to the drought. Experts in Marine Sciences from Spain's University of Malaga and spokesmen for the fishing sector in the province have acknowledged that the drought has contributed to achieving the desired zero discharge of waste water into the sea in many parts of the Costa del Sol.
Asia
April was dry across parts of Southwest Asia, Southeast to South Asia, and parts of northeast China to Japan, according to the SPI map, but most of the rest of Asia was wetter than normal. Unusually warm temperatures dominated much of the continent. Based on NOAA/NCEI and ECMWF ERA5 Reanalysis data, Asia had the third warmest and third wettest April, continent-wide, and second warmest October-April through May-April (all 6 time periods). The unusual warmth increased evapotranspiration, with the ESI map showing increased evaporative stress in these dry areas as well as western Russia. Dry conditions persisted in the southern areas at 2- to 60-month time scales, with central China added at 12 months. Drought was much more intense and widespread in these areas on the SPEI maps compared to the SPI maps, especially in Southwest Asia, with large parts of Russia having drought; these conditions were more intense and widespread at longer time scales. Satellite observations (GRACE) showed low soil moisture, as well as low groundwater, across much of Southwest and Southeast Asia, northern and southern India, northeast China, Mongolia, and large parts of Russia. Satellite observations (VHI) revealed poor vegetative health across Southwest Asia, Southeast Asia, and parts of central Asia and northern Siberia. Drought conditions were confirmed over northern, eastern, and southwestern parts of India on the India Drought Monitor, covering about 27.7% of the nation at the end of April, which is a little more than last month. Short- and long-term drought was indicated across parts of Micronesia, especially at the 6-month time scale, and in the Polynesian islands south of the equator, especially at 1 to 6 months, on the NIWA Island Climate Update maps.
According to media reports (Reliefweb), UNICEF and IOM (International Organization for Migration) collaborated with regional governments in the Federated States of Micronesia (FSM) and Republic of the Marshall Islands to provide drought relief materials; the U.S. Coast Guard also assisted by conducting medical evacuation and delivering drought relief in the FSM (from web.mil). Inquirer.net reported that the Philippine municipality of San Enrique in Negros Occidental was placed under a state of calamity due to a devastating drought brought about by the El Niño phenomenon. Damage to rice, sugarcane, and fisheries reached critical levels. Asean Now reported that, in Thailand, the Waterworks Department of Hua Hin Municipality announced that water supply was being rationed beginning in April, a measure that highlights the severity of the ongoing water shortage affecting the area. VnExpress noted that, in Vietnam, thousands of people in Go Cong Dong District of Tien Giang Province, living in drought and saltwater intrusion areas, queue up all night to carry free freshwater home for daily use. SGGP and Business Insider added that the extreme drought this year in Vietnam has resulted in water shortage and increasing salinity, making shrimp farmers face a serious profit loss due to shrimp mass deaths, as well as reducing coffee bean production.
Africa
April was drier than normal in parts of North Africa (especially the Maghreb region), western, southern, and central Africa, as well as Madagascar. Wetter-than-normal conditions occurred in eastern to southeastern Africa and parts of the northern third of the continent. Temperatures were warmer than normal across most of Africa. Based on NOAA/NCEI and ECMWF ERA5 Reanalysis data, April 2024 ranked as the fourth warmest and 35th wettest April, continent-wide. Excessive warmth extended back in time, with all 7 time periods from November-April through May-April ranking warmest on record. The heat increased evapotranspiration, especially in southern Africa, across the Sahel, and in the Maghreb, as seen on the ESI map. The SPI maps show more intense and widespread dryness at 2- to 3-month time scales. Wet conditions dominate in the east at 6 to 12 months with intensifying dryness in the north and south. Northern Africa had the driest October-April, based on the ECMWF ERA5 Reanalysis. At 24 to 60 months, northern and southern Africa were dry with some dry areas in between; the most intense dryness was in the north. The excessive heat expanded and intensified the drought areas, with the SPEI maps showing drought across most of the continent at 1 to 3 months and much of the continent at longer time scales. Models and satellite (GRACE) observations revealed persistent low soil moisture and groundwater in the Maghreb and adjacent northern and western regions, and over much of central to southern Africa. Satellite observations of vegetative health (VHI) revealed stressed vegetation over virtually the entire continent, with the most severe conditions in the north and southwest. An analysis by the African Flood and Drought Monitor estimated 28% of the continent in drought at the end of April, which was the same as last month, and included 14 countries in drought.
According to media reports (The Globe and Mail), food prices are soaring and hunger is rising across much of Africa. In southern Africa, drought and climate change are leading to crop failures and higher inflation. Reuters elaborated on this by noting that Southern Africa is reeling from its worst drought in years, owing to a combination of naturally occurring El Niño and higher average temperatures produced by greenhouse gas emissions. EU Science Hub added that Southern Africa is currently facing an extreme environmental and humanitarian crisis as a severe drought takes a stronger hold on the region. Zimbabwe, Zambia, and Malawi have officially declared states of emergency. The Daily Mail noted that herds of endangered hippos were facing death in the blistering heat of Botswana, left stranded and unable to move in drying ponds as drought ravages the southern African country.
The BBC reported that Morocco's second-largest reservoir, that serves some of its major cities and has been central to farm irrigation, is drying up, according to satellite images analyzed by the BBC. Al Massira Dam, which sits around halfway between Casablanca and Marrakesh, contains just 3% of the average amount of water that was there nine years ago, figures show. The Middle East Monitor added that Morocco's Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries, Rural Development and Water and Forests said that the kingdom will lose 20% of its crop yield and reduced cultivated areas this year due to drought. Aleteia noted that Bishop Tesfasellassie Medhin of the Catholic Eparchy of Adigrat, Ethiopia, is calling attention to the humanitarian crisis in his country. Violence from warring factions, prolonged drought, and famine have presented harsh challenges to the people of Ethiopia, causing the number of displaced Ethiopians to reach the millions.
Australia
The east coast of Australia was wetter than normal during April 2024 while central, southern, and western areas were drier than normal; April temperatures were warmer than normal along the west coast and near to cooler than normal across the rest of the country. Based on ECMWF ERA5 Reanalysis data, April 2024 ranked as the 32nd wettest and 28th coolest April in the 1940-2024 record, continent-wide. The Australian Bureau of Meteorology (BoM) noted that it was the 8th driest April in the national record for South Australia. The SPI maps revealed dry conditions along the western, southern, and eastern coasts at 2- to 6-month time scales. At the 9-month time scale, as seen on the SPI map and as noted by the BoM, large areas with precipitation deficiencies exist in western Australia and smaller areas have expanded and intensified in south-central and southeastern Australia and much of Tasmania. The SPI maps show intense dryness across the west coast with dry areas along the southern coast, in Tasmania, and parts of the northeast coast. Dryness continues in these areas at longer time scales, especially across southwestern Australia. The SPEI maps show more intense and extensive dryness at 3 to 12 months and include parts of central Australia. Dry soils were evident in parts of the west and south, including Tasmania, according to GRACE soil moisture data. The GRACE data showed low groundwater in these areas and in parts of central Australia. Satellite observations (VHI) revealed stressed vegetation across much of the continent, especially the west and southern regions, as well as parts of the east. These moisture anomaly patterns were confirmed by Australian Bureau of Meteorology and Australian Combined Drought Indicator analyses, which also showed low streamflows in widespread areas of the west, in Tasmania, and scattered sites in the east, and low water storage levels in some areas in the east, south, and west, and in Tasmania. Parts of New Zealand, especially along the east coast, were in drought at the end of April, based on the New Zealand Drought Monitor map prepared by the New Zealand National Institute of Water and Atmospheric Research (NIWA).
According to media reports (Australian Broadcasting Corporation), Tasmania is considering providing a shipping service between King Island and Victoria to help farmers transport cattle during the drought. King Island has recorded its driest start to the year in more than a century and its farmers are running out of pasture to feed their cattle and sheep. The Guardian reported that, in Western Australia, dead and dying shrubs and trees — some of which are found nowhere else on Earth — line more than 1,000 km across the state's south-west.
South America
Beneficial precipitation fell across much of South America during April 2024, with drier-than-normal conditions occurring in parts of the northern Andes Mountains to western Brazil and in parts of coastal Brazil and the southern tip of Argentina and Chile. Continent-wide, April 2024 ranked as the 33rd wettest April in the 1940-2024 ECMWF ERA5 Reanalysis period of record. Drier-than-normal conditions dominated South America at longer time periods, with May 2023-April 2024 still ranking as the driest such 12-month period on record for the continent. Excessively warm temperatures were the rule across South America in April and the last 12 months, with each of the 12 time periods from April through May-April ranking record warm, based on 1910-2024 NOAA/NCEI data. The excessively hot temperatures increased evapotranspiration, according to the ESI, especially from eastern Brazil to central Argentina. The SPI maps showed drought expanding across Brazil to the northern Atlantic and Caribbean coast of South America, and across more of Argentina and Chile, at 2- to 6-month time scales, with dry conditions dominating central to northern parts of South America at 9 to 12 months. Drought continued in the north and expanded and intensified in the south at longer time scales. When evapotranspiration is considered, the SPEI maps show more intense and widespread drought at all time scales, with almost the entire continent affected by drought at 24 to 48 months. Satellite observations (GRACE) show dry soils across huge swaths of South America — from the northern coast to southern Brazil, across southern Peru and Bolivia to central Argentina, and over southern Chile and Argentina — with low groundwater over these areas and extending further. Satellite analysis (VHI) revealed poor vegetative health along the Caribbean coast, from Bolivia to southern Brazil, and across Chile and Argentina. Drought was confirmed across most of Brazil on the Brazilian Drought Monitor (National Water Agency map, CEMADEN map), in Bolivia on the Bolivian Drought Monitor, in Chile and Argentina on the Southern South America Drought Information System (SISSA) maps, and in western South America countries on the CIIFEN Western South America Regional Drought Monitor. The SISSA 3-month drought index indicated 19.7% of Chile and Argentina was in drought or abnormally dry at the end of April, while the 6-month drought index had 43.8% of the region in drought or abnormally dry; these values are less than last month.
According to media reports (Reuters and The Guardian), Colombia's capital Bogota started rationing water in April to alleviate droughts wrought by the El Niño weather pattern, which has exacerbated the Andean country's dry season and caused reservoir levels to fall. Al Jazeera added that the drought, fueled by the El Niño weather phenomenon, has forced Colombia to cut the export of electricity to its neighbor Ecuador, where an energy emergency has since been declared. Another Reuters report noted that, according to the Ecuador-based International Center for Research on the El Niño Phenomenon (CIIFEN) and the Peruvian meteorology and hydrology agency SENAMHI, the recent El Niño was among the five strongest since 1950, and that they expect El Niño and La Niña events to be more frequent and extreme in coming years. Reuters also reported that Paraguay is headed for a record soybean harvest but exporters are worried about low river levels that are slowing shipments along the key Paraguay-Parana waterway, with a drought in central-west Brazil affecting water levels running downstream. Industry sources and an analysis of river level data showed that the Paraguay River, the main channel used for the landlocked country's grains exports, is far shallower than at the same time a year ago, impacting barges carrying grains down river.
North America
In North America, the SPI showed April as drier than normal across much of Mexico and northwestern Canada, parts of the contiguous U.S. (CONUS), and other parts of Canada, and wetter than normal over much of Alaska, the central U.S. to eastern Canada, and parts of Central America. The month ranked as the 33rd wettest April, continent-wide, according to the ECMWF ERA5 Reanalysis. Most of North America was warmer than normal, with April 2024 ranking as the second warmest April in the NOAA/NCEI record. At the 2-month time scale, dryness extended across northern and western Canada into the U.S. Pacific Northwest, and from the Rio Grande River Valley, across Mexico, to Central America. The SPI maps show most of Canada dry at 6 to 36 months, most of Mexico and Central America dry at 12 to 60 months, and in the U.S. — dryness across the Mississippi River Valley at 9 to 24 months, in the southern to central Plains at 12 to 48 months, and in parts of the West at 48 to 72 months. The unusually warm temperatures increased evapotranspiration from Mexico to central and western Canada, as seen on the ESI map. The anomalous warmth extended back through time, with all 8 time periods from December-April through May-April ranking warmest on record. The unusual warmth is reflected on the SPEI maps by more intense and expansive drought, especially in Mexico to Central America at 1- to 3-month time scales, and in Canada at 6- to 36-month time scales.
According to NOAA/NCEI national analyses, the CONUS had the 12th warmest and 42nd wettest April in the 1895-2024 record, with moderate to exceptional drought covering 17.0% of the CONUS (14.2% of the 50 states and Puerto Rico), which is less than a month ago. According to a Mexico National Meteorological Service (SMN) analysis, Mexico had the third warmest and third driest April, nationwide, on record (1941-2024 for precipitation and 1953-2024 for temperature), with moderate to exceptional drought covering 68.1% of the country at the end of the month, which is more than a month ago. In Canada, 38.8% of the country was in moderate to exceptional drought, and 61% was classified as abnormally dry (D0) or in moderate to exceptional drought (D1-D4), both of which are less than last month. Satellite (GRACE) observations revealed extensive areas of low groundwater across much of western to central Canada and parts of eastern Canada, the southern Plains of the U.S. to interior Pacific Northwest, much of Mexico, and almost all of Central America. GRACE observations of soil moisture indicated dry soils across those same areas, except more of central Canada and less of the CONUS. Satellite analysis (VHI) indicated poor vegetative health across parts of Canada and the U.S., and most of Mexico to Central America. The North American Drought Monitor product depicted drought across the northern Rockies and Pacific Northwest, central Plains to Great Lakes, and southern Plains to Southwest in the CONUS; across much of Canada, especially from British Columbia to Ontario; and across much of Mexico. The Caribbean Regional Climate Center SPI maps showed areas of short-term (1 to 6 months) or long-term (12 to 24 months) dryness across parts of the Caribbean islands, especially in the far north and far south.
In Canada, the AAFC (Agriculture and AgriFood Canada) reported that abnormally dry to drought conditions affected 75% of the country's agricultural landscape, which is less than last month. U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) statistics indicated that drought affected approximately 17% of barley production, 19% of corn production, 8% of cotton production, 50% of sorghum production, 17% of soybean production, 27% of spring wheat production, 28% of winter wheat production, 12% of hay acreage, 17% of the cattle inventory, 9% of the milk cow inventory, and 14% of the sheep inventory at the end of April, with 16% of the nation's winter wheat crop in poor to very poor condition, and 25% of the nation's topsoil and 29% of the subsoil short or very short of moisture (dry or very dry). Data from Mexico's National Water Commission indicated that storage in the country's 210 main dams stood at 41%, compared to average, which is less than last month; in most of Mexico's regions, the average regional storage was below the long-term average.
According to media reports (SaskNow.com), the April snow survey from the BC River Forecast Centre shows the lowest snowpack on record in British Columbia. The melting of winter mountain snowpack provides an important source of water during the spring and summer across many parts of western North America. Jonathan Boyd, a hydrologist with the forecast centre, said the snowpack is 63% of normal, which may mean an increased risk for drought this spring and summer. The Globe and Mail reported that Canadian energy producers say they are prepared and ready for what could be another spring and summer of drought and wildfires in Western Canada. Last year's hot, dry weather conditions saw oil and gas companies in northwest and central Alberta as well as northeast B.C. temporarily halt production as wildfires raged across key fossil fuel-producing regions. The Associated Press added that Canada's emergency preparedness minister warned that the country's wildfire season this year could be more explosive than last year when it led to unprecedented smoke conditions across much of the country and into the United States. Persistent drought and months of above-average temperatures have raised the risk of a repeat of last year's record-breaking wildfires, prompting federal ministers to wave a red warning flag about the desperate need to address climate change.
The Wall Street Journal noted that severe drought is plaguing Mexico's winter corn crop, the bulk of which is white corn used to make tortillas and other foods. The Associated Press added that, struggling to deal with a severe drought, water authorities in central Mexico decided in April to stop taking water from a rapidly emptying reservoir that is home to an upscale lakeside community. Residents around the Valle de Bravo reservoir had protested about Mexico City drawing water from the lake, an area dotted with expensive homes about two hours west of the capital. The reservoir is now about three-quarters empty, and that has hurt tourism and real estate prices. In another report, the Associated Press discussed a rising conflict between agricultural interests in Mexico. As the drought in Mexico drags on, angry subsistence farmers have begun taking direct action on thirsty avocado orchards and berry fields of commercial farms that are drying up streams in the mountains west of Mexico City. Rivers and even whole lakes are disappearing in the once green and lush state of Michoacan, as the drought combines with a surge in the use of water for the country's lucrative export crops, led by avocados.
Legit.ng reported that Panama plans to use a "dry canal" to move cargo between the Pacific and Atlantic oceans due to low water levels in its century-old maritime channel. The Panama Canal usually handles about six percent of global maritime trade, but a drought caused by climate change and the El Niño phenomenon has forced authorities to limit the number of ships passing through. The Caribbean Loop News reported that some residents in St. Vincent and the Grenadines are experiencing water woes due to drought conditions causing certain areas to have water rationed as it continues to be a harsh dry season for many Caribbean Islands. The Jamaica Observer noted that over nine million gallons of water have been trucked to approximately 900 farmers between January and March to alleviate the impact of the drought ravishing large parts of Jamaica. The Ministry of Agriculture has also distributed 9,000 square meters of pond liners to 45 recipients. The Associated Press added that, like the rest of the Caribbean, Cuba is suffering from longer droughts, warmer waters, more intense storms, and higher sea levels because of climate change.