This study synthesizes the multiscalar and nonlinear dynamics of drought impacts across Spain. It highlights the combined role of precipitation deficits and rising temperatures, showing the stronger performance of the standardized precipitation evapotranspiration index (SPEI) over the standardized precipitation index (SPI) under warming conditions. Agricultural impacts respond to intermediate drought durations, while hydrological systems show delayed long-term responses. Severe droughts amplify impacts nonlinearly, with strong spatial variability affecting crops, reservoirs and ecosystems.