The year-round heat and drought of 1540 in Europe

The year round heat and drought in 1540 was the worst climatic event of this kind since the 1473 heat and drought in Europe. It had catastrophic consequences in large parts of the continent. From February until the end of the year it was exceptionally warm with sparse rainfall. Following a hot, dry spring, the event was triggered by a high-pressure system (an omega block) in the summer, which blocked the Atlantic air currents for several months while cool, showery weather prevailed in western Russia. Estimated annual temperatures in 1540 were by far the highest between 1500 and 2000, while estimated precipitation was by far the lowest registered until 2025. The effects of this endless heat and drought, the most severe since 1473, on natural areas and human communities are described in detail in over 220 chronicles.

The contemporary countries affected were France, the London Basin in England, Belgium, the Netherlands, Luxembourg, Germany, Switzerland, Austria, the Czech Republic, the Slovak Republic, Poland, Slovenia, northern and central Italy, and southern Spain.

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