Austria is experiencing a prolonged heatwave, with temperatures soaring to record-breaking highs nationwide. The mercury has climbed well above 30C in many regions, prompting health warnings and calls for caution from authorities.
Health officials urge residents and visitors to take precautions to avoid heat-related illnesses. They recommend staying hydrated, avoiding strenuous activity during the hottest parts of the day, and seeking shade whenever possible.
People are also advised to check on vulnerable individuals, such as the elderly and those with pre-existing health conditions, who are particularly susceptible to the effects of extreme heat.
Climate scientists have long predicted climate change would lead to more frequent and intense heatwaves, and Austria is experiencing this firsthand.
Data from the Central Institute for Meteorology and Geodynamics (ZAMG) shows a clear trend of rising temperatures in recent decades, with the number of hot days and heatwaves increasing significantly.
Here’s a roundup of our tips for escaping the heat or otherwise dealing with it in the Austrian fashion:
With Austria reaching increasingly high temperatures, we have listed some places you can reach by train to cool down – they also happen to be beautiful tourist spots in Austria. We have written plenty of articles on escaping the heat; here you can find a few:
- Eight cool places to work in Vienna on hot summer days
- Six places near Vienna to escape the heat
- Five Vienna tourist attractions to escape the summer heat
- Beat the heat in Vienna with these five watersports
Most people still have to go to work even if it is extremely hot outside. However, they are still entitled to some basic rights to keep healthy and safe despite scorching temperatures.
We’ve also written specifically about “Hitzefrei,” when it’s simply too hot to work in Austria.
In June, the government presented its “National Heat Protection Plan”. The plan aims to raise awareness about the impact of extreme heat on individuals and systems while guiding state authorities and healthcare facilities to better prepare for and respond to heat events, according to a presentation by Health Minister Johannes Rauch (Greens).
We also wrote about other public policies related to combating extreme heat in Austria:
- How is Vienna planning to deal with heatwaves?
- Vienna’s free ‘cooling centre’ lets you avoid Austria’s stifling heat
- How to avoid getting heat exhaustion in Austria’s scorching weather
As Austria swelters in increasingly hot temperatures, it’s essential to watch for heat exhaustion and look after those, such as children and the elderly, who may be more susceptible to heat-related problems. We have several stories with expert advice on how to stay safe and keep temperatures as low as possible:
- Austrian heatwave: Six tips to get a better night’s sleep
- How to stay cool in Austria as the heatwave hits
- How to keep your apartment cool in Austria this summer
Lastly, after you’ve done what you can to find a cool place and chill out, here’s a quick guide to some simple and interesting Austrian phrases for talking (mostly complaining) about the hot weather.
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