Vacation 2025 in danger: heat and drought over the Mediterranean!

Vacation 2025 in danger: heat and drought over the Mediterranean!

Holiday plans for the summer of 2025 on the Mediterranean face a significant challenge. Extreme weather could cause problems for holiday resorts in popular holiday destinations such as Spain and Italy. The Foreign Office warns of extreme temperatures, drought and water shortages, which will be exacerbated by the history of a very hot year in 2024. Forecasts from the German Weather Service (DWD) and the European Center for Medium-Range Weather Forecasts (ECMWF) indicate that temperatures in the Mediterranean region could be up to 3 degrees above the long-term average.

Peak values ​​of over 45 degrees can be expected, particularly in Andalusia and Sicily. The combination of water shortages and extreme heat is already leading to empty pools and nighttime water restrictions, which could affect the enjoyment of vacations. According to the Foreign Office, travelers should conserve water and follow current weather warnings to avoid unpleasant surprises.

Extreme weather conditions in focus

Weather forecasts show a high likelihood of extreme heat and drought in the region, while sudden thunderstorms and flash floods - although less common - may occur particularly on Spain's east coast and the Balearic Islands. Even after long dry periods, intense heavy rain could lead to flooding because the ground is often unable to absorb the large volume of water. These connections are reinforced by climate change, which results in longer periods of drought and more intense rainfall, particularly in the Mediterranean region, as described by the Max Planck Society.

The Orcestra research project, in which almost 50 institutions are involved, studies the interactions between tropical clouds and the climate. The aim is to understand more precise weather targets and their impact on agriculture and the water cycle. Current trends show that global warming could increase between 1.6 and 4.7 degrees Celsius by the end of the century, reshaping the distribution of precipitation.

Plans in the tourism industry

The tourism industry is responding to the threat of extreme weather by introducing stricter measures against overtourism. In Barcelona, ​​for example, apartment rentals to tourists are banned until 2028 and in Venice day-trippers have to pay an entrance fee. Despite these warnings, according to a survey, 76 percent of Germans plan to travel at least once in 2025, with Spain and Italy being the most popular destinations.

In order to meet the challenges, the German Weather Service recommends planning holiday activities in the cooler morning and evening hours and using sun protection. Flexibility in holiday planning is also recommended: alternatives in Northern Europe or mountain regions could be a worthwhile option to escape the extreme weather conditions.

The current situation highlights the uncertainty of long-term weather forecasts. The research uses high-resolution climate models and AI to improve the prediction of extreme events and enable early relief measures. The results show that the ability of ecosystems to adapt to climate change is limited and that measures to curb global warming are required in order to sustainably control the effects on water cycles.

It is advisable for travelers to regularly check weather warnings, for example by using weather apps such as MeteoAlarm, in order to be better prepared for unpredictable weather changes.