Lake Garda water shortage: Record drought in Italy continues

The record drought in northern Italy continues, like many other places across Europe. Significant precipitation, which should be a main feature of our autumn weather, is largely absent.

The thunderstorms and rainfall over the last few weeks have hardly made a dent in reservoirs across Europe, and so large concerns surrounding the lack of water continues. Although the water levels in some northern Italian lakes has risen again, it is certainly not a clear or vast reflection of everywhere else.

The level of Lake Garda is currently at its lowest level in 20 years. The level of the Po, the longest river in Italy, is also still at a historic low for this time of year, especially in north-western Italy. Across Europe as a whole, it was reported in summer that we were on track for the worst drought in 500 years.

The current drought in northern Italy begun in spring due to a lack of precipitation the winter prior, especially in the southern Alps. The drought, similar to here in the UK then reached its peak in summer.