Mediterranean-Scale Drought: Regional Datasets for Exceptional Meteorological Drought Events during 1975–2019

Drought is one of the most complex climate-related phenomena and expected to progressively affect our lives by causing very serious environmental socioeconomic damage end 21st century. In this study, we have extracted a dataset exceptional meteorological drought events between 1975 2019 at country subregional scales. Each event was described its start date, intensity, severity, duration, areal extent, peak month area. To define such their characteristics, separate analyses based on three indices were performed 12-month timescale: Standardized Precipitation Index (SPI), Evapotranspiration (SPEI), Reconnaissance (RDI). A multivariate combined index (DXI) developed merging previous for more understanding droughts’ features levels. Principal component analysis (PCA) used identify five different subregions DXI-12 values 312 Mediterranean stations new special score defined classify multi-subregional across Basin (MED). The results indicated that extensive occurred frequently since late 1990s, showing several hotspots in last decades southeastern northwest Africa. addition, showed severe detected when than single used. highest percentage area under also observed through combining variations indices. Furthermore, both dry humid areas MED has experienced remarkable increase 1990s. Based comparison during two periods—1975–1996 1997–2019—we find current conditions are severe, intense, frequent earlier period; moreover, strongest decades. SPEI-12 RDI-12 higher capacity providing comprehensive description because inclusion temperature or atmospheric evaporative demand scheme. range circulation patterns, particularly Western Oscillation (WeMO) East Atlantic/West Russia (EATL/WRUS), appear play an important role intense region-wide droughts, including 1999–2001 2007–2012, with lesser influence NAO, ULMO SCAND.