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Evapotranspiration plays an essential role in estimating water balance, runoff and effective precipitation. To determine historical and projected water availability for Europe, we contribute high‐resolution (1 km) estimates of monthly and annual potential evapotranspiration (ET0) and actual evapotranspiration (AET0). In the ET0 calculation, the monthly and annual heat index I and annual α parameter were estimated following the Thornthwaite method, and AET0 was calculated using the Budyko approach. The variables were estimated for a climate normal period that largely precedes an anthropogenic warming signal (1961–1990), and for two CMIP5 multi‐model future projections (2011–2040 and 2041–2070). We project widespread and relatively uniform ET0 increases of around 50–100 mm by the 2020s and 75–125 mm by the 2050s for most of Europe. These values imply important changes that may affect runoff and groundwater recharge. AET0 was identified as important driver of water availability with more regional variability. Spatial mapping of changes relative to the normal baseline imply that all except northern parts of Europe are vulnerable to water deficits, with pronounced decrease expected in southern Europe. We provide high‐resolution maps and data as an important tool for future natural resources management and climate change mitigation planning.

Mîndrescu, M., Evans, I. S. and Cox, N. J. 2010. Climatic implications of cirque distribution in the Romanian Carpathians: palaeowind directions during glacial periods.ABSTRACT: The many glacial cirques in the mountains of Romania indicate the distribution of former glacier sources, related to former climates as well as to topography. In the Transylvanian Alps (Southern Carpathians) cirque floors rise eastward at 0.714 m km À1 , and cirque aspects tend ENE, confirming the importance of winds from some westerly direction. There is a contrast between two neighbouring ranges: the Fȃgȃraş, where the favoured aspect of cirques is ENE, and the Iezer, where the tendency is stronger and to NNE. This can be explained by the Iezer Mountains being sheltered by the Fȃgȃraş, which implies precipitation-bearing winds from north of west at times of mountain glaciation. Palaeoglaciation levels also suggest winds from north of west, which is consistent with aeolian evidence from Pleistocene dunes, yardangs and loess features in the plains of Hungary and southwestern Romania. In northern Romania (including Ukrainian Maramureş) the influence of west winds was important, but sufficient only to give a northeastward tendency in cirque aspects. This gave stronger asymmetry than in the Transylvanian Alps, as the northward (solar radiation incidence) tendency in these marginally glaciated mountains was less diluted by wind effects. Cirque floors in northern Romania are lower also in northeast-facing cirques. In general, cirque aspects result from several factors and the mean tendency is not downwind, but is displaced from poleward by wind and by minor effects.

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