Changes in drought features at the European level over the last 120 years

Abstract. In this study we analyze drought features at the European level over period 1901–2019 using three indices: standardized precipitation index (SPI), evapotranspiration (SPEI), and self-calibrated Palmer severity (scPDSI). The results based on SPEI scPDSI point to fact that Central Europe (CEU) Mediterranean region (MED) are becoming dryer due an increase in potential mean air temperature, while North (NEU) is wetter. By contrast, SPI does not reveal these changes variability, mainly exhibit a significant change, especially CEU. SPEI12 indicates both frequency area last decades for MED CEU, SPI12 capture features. Thus, performance of may be insufficient analysis studies regions where there strong warming signal. analyzing compound events (e.g., high temperatures droughts), show temperature essential components occurrence CEU MED. This, together with projected under climate, has implications concerning future events, regions.