GeoSphere Austria: Drought remains a major problem in Austria

From 1 January to 30 June 2026, precipitation in Austria was 27 per cent below the long-term average. That in itself would not be particularly unusual. However, in some parts of the country, conditions have not been this dry since 1885.

‘Periods of low rainfall in the first six months of the year occur time and again in Austria. In 2003 and 1993, for example, with deficits of 30 and 29 per cent respectively, rainfall was even slightly lower than in the first half of this year,’ explains climatologist Alexander Orlik of GeoSphere Austria. From the Walgau and Montafon in Vorarlberg, through the Flachgau region of Salzburg and the Innviertel, to the Waldviertel and Weinviertel, the Vienna Basin and parts of Burgenland – precipitation deficits range between 30 and 40 per cent, and in eastern Austria they are as high as 50 per cent.

‘On average across these parts of the country, precipitation has not been this low since 1885, when precipitation was also around 35 per cent lower,’ explains Orlik. In Vienna, the Weinviertel and parts of Burgenland, the climatic water balance index (a measure of the difference between precipitation and evaporation) for the past 30 days stands at below minus 2.5 in Vienna, and in the Vienna Basin and Marchfeld it is even below minus three. The situation is similar in the two aforementioned regions of Vorarlberg.

In Hohenau an der March (Lower Austria), a total of 143 millimetres of rainfall was recorded between 1 January and 13 July 2026. The long-term average (1991 to 2020) is 269 millimetres. The lowest figure recorded to date for the same period was in 2012 (161 millimetres). Daily rainfall data for Hohenau has been available since 1948.

In Kremsmünster (Upper Austria), a total of 332 millimetres of rainfall fell between 1 January and 13 July 2026 (long-term average 1991 to 2020: 533 millimetres). The last time such a low amount of rain was recorded over the same period was in 1976. Daily data has been available since 1874.

In Ried im Innkreis (Upper Austria), a total of 298 millimetres of rainfall fell between 1 January and 13 July 2026. Long-term average (1991 to 2020): 532 millimetres. Previous minimum for the same period: 327 millimetres (2025). Daily data has been available since 1936.

At Salzburg Airport, a total of 321 millimetres of precipitation fell between 1 January and 13 July 2026. Long-term average (1991 to 2020): 625 millimetres. Previous minimum for the same period: 440 millimetres (2025). Daily data has been available since 1939.

Climatologist Orlik summarises: ‘To make up for the lack of rainfall in Austria since the start of the year, an additional average of around 160 litres per square metre would need to fall across the country in the coming weeks. In other words, we are missing the rainfall equivalent to one full summer month plus a further third of a summer month.’

According to GeoSphere Austria’s forecasting department, thunderstorms are expected to occur repeatedly over the coming days, particularly in the west but also in Carinthia and Styria; however, no widespread, heavy rainfall is forecast. Eastern Austria is likely to remain largely dry.

Translated with DeepL.com (free version)