The alarming desertification of France as seen from space

• Copernicus images compare August 2024 (green), 2025 (partially dry), and 2026 (mostly beige-ochre).
• More than 85% of France sits under drought warning or alert.
• Nearly 70% of the country has water-use restrictions.
• 63% of groundwater aquifers are below normal levels.
• July 2026 was the hottest and one of the driest on record in France.
• Rivers and small streams are at historic low flows in many areas.

Severe drought affects France (Image of the Day)

Western Europe faces unprecedented drought

Western Europe soil moisture sits below the severe 2022 levels. Heatwaves continue with little rain forecast in the short term.

AC