We are pleased to share the recent publication of the paper “ERA5–Drought: Global Drought Indices Based on ECMWF Reanalysis” in Scientific Data as part of the activities under the CENTAUR Horizon Europe project.
The paper introduces a global dataset for long-term drought monitoring from 1940 to the present. Derived from the European Centre for Medium-Range Weather Forecasts’ (ECMWF) ERA5 reanalysis, it includes two key drought indices: Standardized Precipitation Index (SPI) and the Standardized Precipitation Evapotranspiration Index (SPEI). The dataset is freely available through the ECMWF datastore.
As droughts become more frequent and severe as a consequence of climate change, having consistent and reliable data is essential. The ERA5–Drought dataset helps fill gaps in regions where local monitoring is limited, and it provides valuable insights for climate researchers, environmental agencies, and water resource managers.
Within CENTAUR, the dataset has been used in our food and water security track to understand the state of drought in our use case countries: Somalia, Mali, and Mozambique. For example, the SPEI-12 index, which provides long-term anomalies in precipitation and potential evapotranspiration, helps monitor the evolution of droughts, which often lead to water shortages, falling groundwater levels, and declining reservoir storage. These insights are key for anticipating and responding to potential socio-economic impacts.
We would like to thank all those who contributed to this paper.
Read the full paper at: ERA5–Drought: Global drought indices based on ECMWF reanalysis
Access the dataset at: Monthly drought indices from 1940 to present derived from ERA5 reanalysis
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