Search Climate Insights Directory

The analysis finds that while the low rainfall during the October-December 2022 period in Central South America cannot be attributed to climate change and is partly driven by La Niña, human-induced climate change likely reduced water availability by increasing temperatures and evapotranspiration. This exacerbates the agricultural drought, which has already caused severe crop losses in Argentina and water shortages in Uruguay.

The study finds that while the 2022 drought in Central South America was primarily driven by natural variability and La Niña conditions, human-induced climate change exacerbated the event by increasing temperatures, which reduced water availability through higher evapotranspiration. The drought caused severe agricultural losses in Argentina, including a projected 25-50% decrease in soy yields and a significant drop in wheat production, while limiting potable water access for over 75,000 people in Uruguay.