Austria records driest 12 months since measurements began

Austria has experienced its driest 12-month period since records began, ORF reported, citing GeoSphere Austria. Eastern Austria remains particularly affected, with Lower Austria recording 43 percent less rainfall than usual since the start of the year.

From late February to early August, Vienna, Lower Austria and Burgenland received about 211 millimetres of rain, compared with the usual 405 millimetres. “Especially in Lower Austria and Vienna, we have a deficit of 40 to 50 percent,” said Klaus Haslinger, a climate researcher at GeoSphere Austria. He said the situation was putting systems such as water supplies and shipping on the Danube under strain.

Lower Austria has the largest rainfall deficit of any Austrian province. The situation is particularly severe in the Weinviertel region. Poysdorf, in the Mistelbach district, has not had any rain since July 8.

“My garden has dried out and my well is dry. I am already afraid that water will become scarce. I no longer dare to use water,” said Viktoria Zuntermann from Kleinweikersdorf in the Hollabrunn district.

Heatwaves with temperatures of up to 41 degrees Celsius have worsened the situation. Eastern Austria has recorded 26 days with temperatures of at least 30 degrees since the end of February, also a record. “As long as we have water and can irrigate, it is fine, but it is not good for the climate as a whole or for physical wellbeing, because 41 degrees in our latitudes is not normal,” said Andreas Polkorab from Schalladorf in the Hollabrunn district.

Some parts of Lower Austria saw a brief respite on Monday morning after receiving a small amount of rain following weeks of dry weather. GeoSphere Austria said, however, that a rapid end to the dry spell was not in sight despite further rainfall forecast for this week.

“This amount of rain is a drop in the ocean. It brings some relief to vegetation, but a week of moderate rainfall will not yet produce a visible change. This will not happen overnight; it would have to continue for a longer period to return conditions to normal,” Haslinger said.

Nature, agriculture and soils therefore remain dependent on further rain.