Tyrol records 30% less precipitation over 12 months

Tyrol received 30% less precipitation than the long-term average over the past 12 months, according to a water balance report from Austria’s Environment Ministry reported by ORF. September was particularly dry in the districts of Landeck and Imst and along the region’s northern edge.

All months this year except February recorded below-average precipitation, with the largest shortfalls in the Oberland and near the Bavarian border. September brought no change in the trend, with rainfall levels similar to those in May and July. April had the biggest deficit: precipitation was 60% below the 1991 to 2020 average.

The lack of rain has affected river flows and groundwater levels. In the district of Kitzbühel, the Ache river at St Johann recorded flows well below its long-term average in recent months. Water levels have also tended to remain near the bottom of their historical ranges on the Isar near Scharnitz and the Inn near Innsbruck.

Recently, the number of groundwater monitoring stations reporting very low levels has risen in Tyrol and Vorarlberg. The largest shortfall was in the Großache basin near St Johann in Tirol.

September temperatures in Tyrol were 2.7 degrees Celsius above the long-term monthly average. The average temperature over the past 12 months was 1.7 degrees higher than usual.