ABSTRACT
ABSTRACT: We present a newly developed drought climatology for Europe that covers the second half of the 20th century and extends to the recent decade. The drought climatology is based on comprehensive gridded observations of precipitation and temperature. These are used to derive the Standardized Precipitation Index as well as the Standardized Precipitation and Evaporation Index for the entire continent. Both indices are derived on time scales ranging from 1 to 36 months, allowing for an in-depth analysis of short term events as well as multi year droughts. The derived drought climatology is analysed with respect to severe drought events in the past and its relation to fresh water resources. Finally emerging trends of increasing and decreasing drought hazards in southern and northern Europe are quantified and discussed.
