Changes in precipitation patterns driving August 2024 Romania floods mostly driven by human-driven climate change

Depressions similar to those that caused the August 2024 Romanian floods generally show reduced precipitation (7 mm/day, or up to 15% less) over Eastern Romania in the present compared to the past. However, we observe a significant local increase in precipitation (up to 5 mm/day, or up to 10% more) over Constanta, one of the cities affected by the floods.

This was a somewhat uncommon event.

We mostly ascribe the changes in precipitation producing the Romanian Floods to human driven climate change and natural climate variability likely played a modest role.