In the near-term, Europe is forecast to experience generally moderate water deficits with more exceptional conditions affecting the Baltic States, Finland and southern Sweden. On the mainland the Benelux States as well as portions of Austria and Italy may experience more intense conditions. These are forecast to moderate steady through the mid-forecast period shifting to moderate surpluses across most of northern Europe in the December through February 2018 time frame. A pocket of exceptional surpluses in eastern Romania persists throughout the forecast, moderating slightly in early 2018.
Europe: Water deficits in Scandinavia
Notable water deficits are forecast to persist through February in eastern Norway and in Sweden; and through May in Finland and in Russia east of the White Sea. Eastern Europe will continue a transition to water surplus which will persist through May. A wide area of water surplus is forecast to emerge March through May in Russia from the Gulf of Finland south to Ukraine.
Europe: Water surpluses ahead for Eastern Europe, deficits in the west and Scandinavia
Exceptional water deficits are forecast to persist through January in Western Europe, Sweden, and Finland, while Eastern Europe transitions to conditions of water surplus which will persist through April. Deficits in Western Europe will persist through April or longer and deficits will continue to emerge in Mediterranean Europe.