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WEATHER

Storms in Austria: Extreme weather alert in the Alpine region

Strong thunderstorms are set to hit Austria late on Tuesday and Wednesday as temperatures soar above 30C. Here's what you need to know.

Published: 4 July 2023 17:14 CEST
Storms in Austria: Extreme weather alert in the Alpine region
(Photo by PASCAL POCHARD-CASABIANCA / AFP)

Austria’s Alpine region is being influenced by warm and humid air, creating an unstable atmosphere, according to Geosphere Austria. 

As a result, showers and thunderstorms are expected to develop in the coming days. Midweek, a small-scale low-pressure system will move northeastwards over Germany, and its associated cold front will reach the Alpine region later in the day. Consequently, widespread showers and thunderstorms are expected across Austria. 

However, it is likely that stable high-pressure weather will settle in by the upcoming weekend.

Detailed forecast

Tuesday will bring unsettled conditions, particularly in the inner Alps and the southern regions. Afternoon showers and thunderstorms are forecasted for the mountains, while areas along the Danube and the Vienna Basin will experience mostly dry and sunny weather. Westerly winds will blow moderately north of the Alps.

READ ALSO: Is Austria set for a summer of heatwaves and storms?

Wednesday will continue to be stormy, with showers and thunderstorms mainly occurring on the northern side of the Alps. Subsequently, a mix of sun and clouds will dominate, but the likelihood of showers and thunderstorms will increase, particularly in the mountains during the morning and afternoon. The longest periods of dry weather can be expected in the far east and southeast. Moderate westerly winds will develop north of the Alps.

On Thursday, clouds will prevail in the mountains and southern areas, accompanied by showers and thunderstorms. In the west, remaining clouds will temporarily give way to sunshine before showers and thunderstorms develop there as well. The weather will be somewhat more favourable, with only a slight chance of showers in Flachgau, the Waldviertel, and the Rhine Valley. Weak to moderate northwest winds are expected.

Friday’s weather will become calmer, with dominant sunshine. However, in the morning, some spring clouds, mainly over the mountains and in the east, may appear. 

In the afternoon, the likelihood of showers and thunderstorms will slightly increase in the southern mountains, while overall conditions will remain dry and pleasant.

What to do when a storm hits?

According to the organization Die Helfer Wiens (The Helpers of Vienna), one of the greatest risks during a storm is the danger of being struck by a fallen tree or flying debris.

To mitigate this risk, they strongly advise individuals, including pets, to remain indoors during a storm and ensure that all windows and doors are securely closed.

READ MORE: How to keep your apartment cool in Austria this summer amid rising energy prices

If you find yourself in a tent or campervan during a storm, it is recommended to seek shelter in a building, if available, until the storm passes.

However, if you happen to be outside during a lightning storm, the Austrian Red Cross suggests the best course of action is to crouch down into a ball position to minimize contact with the ground.

During periods of heavy rain, cellars and underground car parks can quickly become flooded. Therefore, it is important to stay away from such areas during a storm and promptly contact emergency services if you suspect flooding in your home.

For more tips on how to protect yourself during the storm season in Austria, you can find additional information HERE.

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WEATHER

After mini tornado and floods should Austria expect a summer of extremes?

Extreme weather events have become more common and more dangerous worldwide. This week Austria experienced some of its own extreme weather with thunderstorms and even a 'small' tornado hitting the country.

Published: 22 May 2024 17:27 CEST
After mini tornado and floods should Austria expect a summer of extremes?

Heavy rainfall led to flooded cellars and muddy roads in Lower Austria on Tuesday afternoon.

In Styria, Graz residents recorded what seemed to be a tornado in the city (the head of the Styrian meteorological agency later confirmed a “small” tornado there), with large amounts of rainfall causing havoc.

Austria’s meteorological institute Geosphere Austria had already warned of thunderstorms, some of them heavy, moving north through the country—an alert that included the possibility of landslides and flooding. 

The warnings have been plentiful. Recently, experts alerted that global warming would make extreme weather events much more frequent and stronger, as The Local reported.

Summers, in particular, could see torrential downpours, hail storms as well as heat waves. 

Four heatwaves occurred in 2023, two of which lasted an unusually long time, lasting up to 18 days (July) and 16 days (August).

READ ALSO: How to protect yourself during storm season in Austria

So what about this summer?

There is nothing to indicate that people in Austria will have some relief this summer.

In fact, it has been a warmer than average year so far, with record temperatures throughout. According to Geosphere Austria, the recent winter was one of the two warmest on record.

February followed the trend, and it was the hottest in Austrian history. Parts of Austria also saw record heat in March, while there was “summer in April” in the Alpine country. GeoSphere Austria expects the country to be heading towards a hotter summer season also in 2024. 

Already in June, the probability of above-average temperatures is 60 percent.

In July, above-average temperatures will occur in about 60 percent of the cases. The probability of average temperatures is 20 percent, the same as the chance of below-average temperatures. 

The probability of above-average temperatures in August is just under 80 percent. Average temperatures occur in about a quarter of the cases, and the likelihood of below-average temperatures is less than 10 percent.

READ ALSO: What is Austria’s official emergency-warning phone app and do I need it?

The institute does point out that a seasonal forecast is not an exact forecast in the sense of a 3-day overview but a “rough estimate of the average temperatures conditions in the Eastern Alps”. 

It may seem counterintuitive to think that Austria could be heading for a summer of drought and heavy rains. Still, experts explain that the hotter temperatures make extreme events more likely.

And Austria is more affected by warming than the global average, mainly because it is located in the middle of the continent, and land masses warm up faster than oceans. 

Because of that, the Alpine Republic has already been 2C warmer on average over the last 30 years, almost twice as much as the global temperature increase compared to pre-industrial times.

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