Droughts and dynamics of synoptic processes in the south of the East European Plain at the beginning of the twenty-first century

The regional features of the spatial distribution of extensive severe atmospheric droughts during the vegetation season in the south of the East European Plain at the beginning of the 21st century were studied according to the data on the Palmer Drought Severity Index. The circulation conditions for the formation of droughts were analyzed, and the characteristics and some regularities of blocking episodes were revealed. It was shown that the boundaries of severe droughts are in good agreement with the domains of negative extremes of the satellite vegetation index, which are observed in July and August.