Drysummer

Drysummer is a climatological pattern in which the summer season experiences markedly low precipitation. In climates with a dry summer, most of the annual rainfall occurs during the cooler, wetter winter months, while summer is characterized by clear skies, high temperatures, and prolonged dry spells. This pattern leads to higher atmospheric evaporative demand and can produce drought conditions during the warmest months. The dry period typically spans late spring through early autumn, varying by latitude and local topography.

Dry summers are a hallmark of Mediterranean climates, which include parts of southern Europe, North Africa, and the Near East. Similar seasonal dryness occurs in coastal California, central Chile, southwestern Australia, and the Western Cape of South Africa. In these regions, vegetation and agriculture are adapted to summer drought, and water resource management emphasizes storage and efficient irrigation.

Climate change is projected to intensify summer dryness in many Mediterranean-type regions due to rising temperatures and shifting precipitation patterns, increasing wildfire risk and stress on water supplies. Adaptation measures include drought-tolerant crops, improved irrigation efficiency, rainwater harvesting, and land-use planning to reduce vulnerability to heat and drought.